Latest Tacoma in pickup fray; the next Prius
Ford’s F-Series pickup trucks have claimed the “Best Selling’’ titles for so long that we tend to overlook some other makers’ sales leaders.
Yes, Ford has been America’s top-selling vehicle for 33 years and the top-selling pickup for 38.
But Toyota’s Tacoma, born in 1995, has been the top-selling midsize pickup for the past 10 years, ever since it made the jump from compact to midsize in its last redesign.
There are several things to note here:
1. Ten years ago was the last time the Tacoma had a major redesign.
2. There hasn’t been a lot of real competition in this segment in recent years—or until General Motors came out with the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Now there’s talk of Ford re-entering the midsize pickup market, and Nissan is due to update the venerable Frontier.
3. Midsize still is large. Maybe compacts will return next.
Frankly, I’m interested in this new Tacoma, having owned a 4-cylinder 4×4 with a manual transmission in the not-too-distant past.
The new Tacoma, says Toyota, will be available in 29 configurations between the two cab types, the extended access and double-cab styles. Each will be available in 4×2 or 4×4.
Engine choices are the venerable and still-relevant 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (159 horsepower, 180 lb.-ft. of torque) and an all-new 3.5-liter V-6. It generates 278 hp, 42 more than its predecessor, and 265 lb.-ft. of torque.
A new six-speed automatic will be the accompanying transmission for most, though a five-speed is available with the 4-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual with the V-6.
Five trim levels are available: Starting with the base SR work truck, features and prices escalate through the SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and plush Limited. Prices range from $23,300 (before destination and options) to $34,745.
Among options in the technology realm are blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto-headlamps, and various levels of audio systems with Toyota’s Entune infotainment system.
Other features we’re looking to check out include:
• The locking tailgate with easy-down hinges.
• An available factory-installed tri-fold hard tonneau cover.
• The enhanced high-definition touchscreen.
• The access cab’s fold-up rear seats and under-seat storage.
• The standard GoPro camera mount behind the rearview mirror, ostensibly for off-road videos but also likely to capture highway happenings.
Both the 60.5-inch and 73.7-inch pickup beds have a composite lining, similar to the current models, with four adjustable tie-down cleats.
Optional bed accessories include a fork-mount bike rack, a cargo divider that locks into the rails, and mini tie-downs with hooks.
Sales might be expected to, um, pick up.
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Cars with low cost of ownership
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Prius: Then ….
What do we know about the new Prius, the redesigned 2016 model scheduled for release any week now?
Nothing, yet. But we do know it will have come a long way from 1995’s development days.
Toyota chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada delights in telling the story that the development team couldn’t get the first Prius prototype to move for 49 days.
“We had no idea what was wrong, so we worked late every night trying to figure it out. We finally got it to move around Christmas time, but it only went 500 meters.’’
Twenty years later, Toyota now has sold more than 8 million hybrid vehicles, including a million in just the past 10 months.
… and On the Way
We’ve since seen some spy shots of the new Prius.
It used to be that Prius almost was the generic name for hybrid, but now there are dozens of them, not to mention plug-ins, fuel cells, all-electrics, and diesels. Add to that low gas prices and more efficient gasoline engines, and there’s plenty of competition for the “green’’ dollar.
Among the competitors will be Toyota’s own RAV4, due to come out within the year with a hybrid all-wheel-drive model.
That could offer Prius shoppers an attractive alternative on three fronts: a compact crossover with its high seating position, excellent fuel economy, and AWD. It also offers the possibility of an interesting acronym: RAV4AWD for a possible New Hampshire vanity plate (too many characters for Massachusetts).
Analysts at Edmunds.com note that, through May, 45 percent of those who traded in a Prius, bought another.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz and Atlanta’s new stadium owners have come to a naming rights agreement that should be beneficial for both automaker and the stadium’s main tenants, the Atlanta Falcons (National Football League) and Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer.
The multi-purpose stadium with a retractable roof already has landed the NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball tournament in 2020.
Timing coincided with M-B’s corporate move from New Jersey to Atlanta.
If M-B is half the corporate good neighbor Nissan has been in Nashville, Atlanta should be very happy.
Etc.
Congratulations to Rowley’s Red McDonald, owner of LeeUSA Speedway, on his coming induction into the New England Antique Racers Hall of Fame (Nov. 8 at Maneeley’s in South Windsor, Conn.) MacDonald was a successful car owner (drags, supermodifieds) and even campaigned an Indy car over his six decades in motorsports … The folks at the 35th annual Spindles Car Show & Swap Meet take over Marshfield Fairground today (9 a.m.-4 p.m.). They’re expecting a big turnout with trophies (3 per class) in 50 classes and dash plaques for the first 600 cars …Next Saturday offers shows for most everyone. Porsche of Norwell is hosting Porsche Day (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) on the laws at Larz Anderson Auto Museum. The 30th Concord, N.H., Kiwanis show also is on the grass at New Hampshire Technical Institute. The Bay State Corvairs are at Clark’s Corvair Parts on Rte. 2 in Shelburne Falls (9-3) … You can go behind the scenes with curator Jen Madden at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich from 11 a.m.-noon. Contact Julie Raynor at 508-888-3300 x175 for program details … Also next Saturday is a local show at Kidde-Fenwal, makers of fire detection equipment, at 400 Main St. in Ashland.
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