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We give Toyota credit where it is due. The automaker has done an excellent job of keeping the new Tacoma mid-sized truck under wraps. We mean literally and figuratively, because this is only the second time we’ve seen a test vehicle in public. And it’s still well hidden under heavy camouflage.
In fact, they well hidden. The guys at TFLnow happened upon a fleet of Tacomas, each covering nose to tail while resting from testing in the mountains. With the camera scrolling, we get a close look at one prototype spinning in empty space, revealing a side exhaust at the back of the truck similar to the Toyota Tundra. The camera also zooms in on another prototype, capturing a portion of the grille that looks a lot like the Tundra. However, the smaller wheel/tire combo and cabin proportions scream Tacoma.
If there’s any doubt about this being a Toyota vehicle, some of the commenters in the video call out the automaker’s signature locking. sounds sounds around 1:13 minutes. Unfortunately, other aural clues such as engine or exhaust sound are impossible to hear. A Jeep Grand Wagoneer and a Chevrolet Suburban appear to be part of the fleet, and we especially heard the Jeep engine as the vehicle pulled out of the parking lot. This is not a hasty exit, which is great for getting a clear view. The trade-off is that we don’t hear what’s under the hood.
Engine options are a well-kept secret at this point. The Tacoma currently offers a choice between a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower (118 kilowatts) or a 278-hp (207-kW) 3.5-liter V6 engine. It’s believed a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine will join, but it’s unclear if it will join the existing plant or become the Tacoma’s sole power plant. Complicating matters further are the strong rumors that the new Taco will use Toyota’s TNGA-F platform. It is already used with many models including the Tundra, and is expected to support Toyota’s global Hilux and Fortuner vehicles. The electric model is finally here.
The current generation Tacoma arrived for the 2016 model year and received a facelift for 2020. With that time frame, we could see the debut of the next generation truck as soon as 2023.
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