You guys might have already seen this, but the guy at the auto show pointed it out to me as the new Tacoma. This is the hot rod 2WD version, but I guess the 4WD will pretty much look a lot like this one. No thanks. I much prefer the current body style and size. Although I am very interested to see what kind of underpinnings they will offer. If it's going to have beefier stuff (which the Tacoma could use) that would be a good thing.

Here's the direct link to Toyota's website:
http://www.toyota.com/about/news/product/2004/02/04-1-tacomaXrunner.html

More rumors and info can be found here:
http://www.motorportal.com/2005_toyota_tacoma.htm

I like it! I could see myself tooling around in that! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

not to shabby
"Power will be provided by a four-liter, 240 horsepower V6 engine with 275 pounds of torque and a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission. For buyers looking for an added boost over this already impressive powertrain, a TRD-developed, fully factory warranted supercharger system will be offered, capable of providing output in the neighborhood of 300 horsepower"

I heard that the Chevy Colorado and the Tacoma are going to be on the same platform. There was a few threads about it on TTORA. If you look at the pics of the Colorado, they are almost identicle even down to the door handles. Anyone else have further info on this?

Ill take one when it is old enough that I can wheel it and not worry about scratches, that is if they have an option for a 22re:C

erick

Say it ain't so! That's my worst fear of all. If I wanted an American truck, I'd buy a goshdamn American truck. I bought and love my Toyotas over the years because they were very good Japanese engineered cars and trucks. The problem here is, the TAcoma started going down hill because Toyota let Americans design it and let Domestic companies design and build parts for it. The whole reason it doesn't have a fully boxed frame is because Dana builds it, for example.

Oh sure, maybe the Colorado chassis is a decent design, I don't know, but I don't want a "decent" design, I want a Toyota design.

We still have hope. The 4Runner uses an entirely Toyota designed frame and suspension. I'm hoping that new Tacoma frame/suspension will be based on the 4Runner, complete with the 4Runner's 8" front IFS suspension and probably a rear axle/suspension similier to the Tundra.

What is about to get really interesting is what Toyota plans to do for the Hilux. It's due for a model change as well and it will be interesting to see if Toyota decides to continue to build the Hilux as a completely independent model from the TAcoma or make them one and the same. If the latter, I think we have hope of getting a more off road capable vehicle. If not, we will continue to get a watered down truck that is very highway capable and that much more appealing to yuppies, while overseas they'll continue to get a rugged no-nonsense piece of Japanese engineering that can hold it's own off road.

Just like the rest of the auto industry...the end is near for individual thought and creativeness. Cant hardly tell one new car from another on the road. If it werent for the manufacturer's badging then Id assume they were all from the same place. First thought on seeing the pics...Nissan. Imagine that. And as for being identical to the Chubbie Colorado...wouldnt be the first time that toyota climbed into bed with GM. Sometimes I miss the 90's sooooo much. LOL Where do we get in line for our Soylent Green? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

What will happen to the Hilux?, is exactly what I was thinking. I know they have been using the 86-95 platform for a while now, but it is proven design, so I don't know if they will change it or not. I'm thinking the Colorado/Tacoma is going to be like the Vibe/Matrix deal. The Vibe is mainly Toyota designed right? I know the Colorado has torsion bars, so if the Tacoma is on this platform it will changed a lot. What I was wondering is if Toyota designed the platform GM is using. I know GM is going to use their own powerplant, so I guess we'll see.

I would have never thought Toyota would go back to torsion bars for it's American IFS trucks, but that is what they use for the LC-100 and lower A-arm torsion bars at that.

Still, if I were a betting man, I think Toyota will go with the 4Runner frame/chassis.

They damn well better!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

I hoping they are just copying design aspects of the American trucks to appeal to what is generally a domestic truck dominated market. If you look at the Tunrda, the interior looks like it was lifted straight from a Ford of the same era. But the underpinnings are all Toyota. Toyota USA, that is.

Then again, Nissan decided to use American Dana 44s as it's axles. Not that I disagree with that choice in particular, but only because Nissan is not known for building heavy duty axles for it's "American sold" trucks. For them it was a better idea to outsource something like that, but Toyota is MORE than capable of designing a very heavy duty and high quailty truck. And it already has the right frame and chassis in production on the 4Runner.

Well, I'll try not to get upset until that rumor actually gets confirmed.