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  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    By Drew Dowdell •

    Detroit Auto Show Reveal: 2016 Toyota Tacoma

      Toyota updates their best selling Tacoma small pickup to better compete with fresh competition from General Motors and a soon to be refreshed Nissan Frontier.

    Toyota released all the details today on the coming 2016 Toyota Tacoma. We showed you some preview pictures of the 2016 Tacoma a few days ago, and we get the specs.

    Toyota's rebuilt Tacoma appears to be more of a strong refresh rather than the "all-new" that Toyota claims. The frame has been reinforced with high strength steel, body panels are now formed with a hot stamping method that increases strength while decreasing weight, and the suspension has been re-tuned for better on-road comfort while increasing off-road abilities.

    The 2.7 liter 4-cylinder carries over, but there is a new 3.5 liter, Atkinson cycle V6 that has both direct-injection and port injection. Both engines send power through a new 6-speed automatic. Those who prefer to row their own, will be happy to hear that the V6 will be available in a 6-speed manual. Naturally both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel-drive will be available.

    For off-roaders, there is an available automatic Limited-Slip and locking rear differential, hill start assist, active traction control, and craw control.

    The 2016 Tacoma will go into production in the middle of 2015.

    Press Release on Page 2

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    DOMINATE DIRT…OR ROCKS…OR PAVEMENT IN THE

    ALL-NEW 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA

     Toyota Tacoma Rebuilt Inside and Out

     New Engine, Transmissions and Suspension Tuning

     Legendary TRD Off-road Toughness

     Best-selling Mid-Size Pickup for 10 Straight Years

     Designed, Engineered and Assembled in North America

    DETROIT, January 12, 2015 - - Whatever the terrain, Tacoma is king of the hill. Rebuilt

    inside and out with an all-new powertrain and enhanced suspension tuning, America’s bestselling

    mid-size pickup for ten years running is Lord of the Rigs for dirt stomping adventurers.

    With a legacy of off-road victories and over seven million units sold since 1964, Toyota

    revitalizes the midsize truck segment with the introduction of the all-new 2016 Tacoma.

    “For the past 50 years adventure-seeking Americans have relied on Toyota trucks to

    take them places, on and off-road,” said Bill Fay, group vice president & general manager,

    Toyota Division. “The all-new homegrown Tacoma is a tough truck designed, developed and

    built for lifestyles of the young and young-at-heart.”

    Built from the Ground Up

    The new 2016 Tacoma was primarily developed by the Toyota engineering team at

    Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. Starting with the frame, they added high strength

    steel to enhance rigidity and overall strength. Ultra-high strength steel was integrated into the

    body shell using a new hot stamping process that reduces weight.

    To create a truck to meet the needs of active drivers on a variety of tamed and untamed

    surfaces, the suspension was fine-tuned to help deliver a smoother on-road ride, while making it

    even more capable off-road.

    Get Your Motor Running

    The new Tacoma will be powered by a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and an all-new,

    segment-first 3.5-liter Atkinson cycle V6 equipped with Toyota’s D-4S technology, featuring both

    direct and port fuel injection.

    -more2016

    TOYOTA TACOMA 2/2/2/2

    Both engines will be paired to a new six-speed automatic transmission with electronic

    shift delivering quick and easy shifting. The V6 can also be mated to a new six-speed manual

    transmission. The new powertrain makes the Tacoma more powerful and fuel efficient than

    ever before.

    Doing It With Style Inside and Out

    Serious, yet fun! This is the Toyota truck design DNA. The Tacoma and Tundra are

    amazingly capable trucks that are designed to reflect their capability. The Tacoma shares big

    brother Tundra’s more chiseled face, with a hex grille. From there, Tacoma expresses its own

    identity.

    Inspired by desert racing, CALTY designers in Newport Beach, Calif. and Ann Arbor,

    Mich. made the new Tacoma all about recreational action and athletic agility. To achieve this,

    the new Tacoma’s wheel flares are strong and muscular for greater wheel travel and the high-lift

    image reflects its purposeful capability. Four new wheel designs range from 16 to 18 inches.

    The front end portrays an aggressive attitude with its bold upper grille and a taller, more

    muscular hood. Mounted high above the clamp-shaped bumper sits slim, high technology

    headlights that feature projection beam lamps with available LED Daytime Running Lights.

    From behind, the new locking tailgate emphasizes Tacoma’s wide stance and tough

    image. The tailgate features an integrated spoiler for improved aerodynamics and a stamped

    Tacoma logo. The tailgate also adds an easy lowering feature, which allows it to slowly retract,

    preventing it from slamming down. For the first time ever, Tacoma is available with a tri-fold

    hard tonneau cover for securing gear when you’re away from the truck.

    Tacoma’s tough exterior is complemented by an interior that conveys a sport truck

    image reflecting an athletic, go anywhere, off-road feel. Once inside, drivers will notice a

    “handlebar” design theme in the instrument panel for a more driver-focused experience. Softwrapped

    trim and metallic accents set the stage for a high-quality look and feel that is a starting

    point for an array of available premium features, including:

    - Qi wireless charging

    - Smart key with push-button start

    - Leather-trimmed seats

    - Power moonroof

    - Dual-zone automatic climate control

    - Enhanced touchscreen audio

    - Blind-spot monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert

    - And much more

    -more2016

    TOYOTA TACOMA 3/3/3/3

    In addition to offering more premium features, Toyota engineers also made the new

    Tacoma quieter than ever. To accomplish this, all seals were enhanced and a multi-layer

    acoustic windshield and sound-absorbing headliner were added. Finally, a floor silencer pad

    further reduces road noise.

    Making the Grades

    The new Tacoma will be available in five grades in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations.

    Each grade will have its own personality and unique look. Tacoma grades include:

    - Work-ready SR

    - Iconic SR5

    - Athletic TRD Sport

    - Tough-as-nails TRD Off-Road

    - Top of the line Limited

    The two TRD grades are inspired by Toyota Racing Development’s more than 35-year

    history in desert off-road racing and a heritage of vehicles that have helped off-road enthusiasts

    conquer the toughest terrains in the most remote locations around the globe. Tacoma buyers

    will now have the opportunity to capture their global adventures on video as every Tacoma will

    come standard with a GoPro® mount located near the rear-view mirror.

    Traveling Off the Beaten Path

    Tacoma off-roading adventures will reach new levels of fun in the TRD Off-Road grade

    thanks to the addition of incredible technology. A Multi-Terrain Select system allows the driver

    to choose between different types of terrain such as loose rock, or mud and sand. Each input

    regulates wheel spin by adjusting throttle and brake pressure to provide maximum traction on

    almost any terrain.

    Additional off-road technology includes Automatic Limited Slip and Locking Rear

    Differential, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), Clutch Start Cancel (manual transmission only),

    Active Traction Control, and Crawl Control. Engaging Crawl Control allows the driver to select a

    speed of 1-5 mph. The Crawl Control system takes over the acceleration and braking, allowing

    the driver to focus solely on steering.

    All Tacoma’s will continue to come standard with the Star Safety System.

    -more2016

    TOYOTA TACOMA 4/4/4/4

    A North American Story

    Tacoma is assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) in San Antonio

    and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Baja California (TMMBC) in Baja California, Mexico. Both

    facilities play a major role in carrying on Tacoma’s legendary reputation for quality, durability

    and reliability (QDR), which has been instrumental in establishing its segment-leading owner

    loyalty rating. It’s QDR has also helped establish Tacoma as the highest rated vehicle in its

    class for resale value according to Kelley Blue Book. The all-new Tacoma builds on this

    tradition with improvement in every aspect over the current Tacoma including, design,

    ruggedness, and performance improvements in horsepower and fuel efficiency.

    50 Years and Counting

    Backed by 50 years of unwavering capability, an unbreakable attitude, and an off-road

    racing heritage, the all-new Tacoma is hungry for adventure and ready to tackle almost any

    challenge that it encounters. It is the ultimate tool for the outdoorsman that likes to get out there

    and go places.

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Cory Wolfe

    Pretty much what I expected... but wait! Look at that! They've given it the 3.5. But not just any 3.5, an updated 3.5. So, basically, it's an updated version of an old truck with an updated version of an old engine that's not quite as old as the outgoing engine. Meh. Atleast they've given some of the off-road controls from the 4Runner and the choice of a real transmission. If it's like the old one, it'll also be available with 4WD. Funny that.

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