6th Gen is coming...

I'm pretty confident that the 6th Gen isn't getting a BMW engine.

 

I sure hope not.

 

I agree on mechanics, they should deliver a truck. Being able to control the 4WD, differentials, etc. are only some of the reasons I'm on my 3rd 4Runner. I also agree that the interior could use a major upgrade, along with some of the comfort features/controls/etc. I've been a bit disappointed in that area. Are there any pictures of the body yet, maybe in Japan? I've looked around, even asked a few local friends, but nothing. If anyone has pics please post them.

 

Not to my knowledge. I haven't even seen any spy/camouflage photos. Surely we'll get some of those soon.

 

You're probably right, but out of everything they currently have (that takes unleaded) it gets hp/torque numbers that would be adequate for a 6th gen. Maybe they start building their own version of the Supra motor or maybe they tweak the Lexus NX motor. The problem with the NX motor is the power would need to be stretched even further.

 

Please please grinches of the engineers and bean counters, give a few of us an option for a manual trans.
Look at it this way, one less computer, less wiring and you can still use Syn. oil, as not to take away the efforts by your chemists. Hell let the engineers and bc’s get their same pay, just give us a manual trans.
You’ve have had literally decades to develop it.

So is it too much to ask for decent first gear ratio of 5:1.?
How about a transfer case reduction 4:1, or even a 3.5:1?

 

here comes the wish list lol.

You’ll never see a manual trans in a 4 runner ever again. Let alone in almost everything sold in America. Sorry.

let’s just pray it doesn’t go to a CVT trans.

 

Fair point about this being the "right" engine for a T4R. I agree completely. In fact, I'd be happy if the 6th Gen offered both of the BMW/Supra engines!

 

To your point though........the more I think about it, the more I think they will be coming out with a new motor for the 4Runner. A motor they can share with another platform, like the Tacoma.

You're right that it wouldn't make sense for them to use the Supra motor. I thought that was a collaboration motor with BMW, but it sounds like it's just a BMW motor. Wouldn't make sense for Toyota to use it.

The NX motor seems too underpowered, but maybe they make it work?? Twin turbo NX motor?? I doubt it, but it's an interesting possibility.

 

They seem to have taken the NA 3.5 about as far as it can go, and it's not enough, IMO. The Tacoma is a nice truck let down by its engine and weird seating position.

My strong preference would be for the 3.4L twin-turbo V6 from the Lexus LS. A 416hp option in the 6th Gen would be a game-changer relative to the Bronco and JL (392 excepted). Sadly, I think there's a snowball's chance that Toyota pulls the trigger on such a setup. It's just not the Toyota Way.

And so we're back to your point about them needing a new engine in the 6th Gen.

 

Reading up on the new global architecture, it seems clear that the next 4R will be on a new and lighter BOF platform. Good.

Of course, anything new can have unforeseen problems. But realistically, it's reasonable to expect that Toyota will have produced a better BOF. Lighter, at least as strong, and with more rigidity. Good, good, good. That's the kind of improvement we should all want.

Next comes the transmission. Here it seems quite clear we'll end up with more gears. That of course is also good -- so long as the new tranny is just as robust as the current one. Whether it will be or not is of course another unknown. But, again, building such a tranny shouldn't be hard. ZF has been building a highly reliable 8 spd tranny for years and years, where it's been proven in many high end vehicles both for its performance and dependability.

But the motor(s).... As our You-Tuber walks us through, this is now the big question mark. While for me the ideal would be the continuation of our 4.0 liter NA with a new modern tranny and lighter BOF, it's hard to imagine Toyota passing up the opportunity for even greater boosts in MPG and power. On their own, the new BOF and tranny might yield only 1-2 more MPG. Going turbo and/or hybrid will be hard to resist.

I've joked a lot on these 6th gen threads about Toyota turning the 4R into a glorified unibody crossover with major components from other manufacturers (e.g. the Supra, 86 and Yaris). Thankfully, their new BOF architecture means that's very unlikely.

But the key will be the engine. Will Toyota give us more power, more MPG and just as much reliability and durability? Probably not. That's the rub.

 

Don’t be sorry, be mad.

 

I am honestly very pleased with the engine , and tranny 5speed setup , it's proven to be very very reliable , and in my book that's a very good thing ....the 4runner has plenty pros then cons, so yeah I am very happy..listening and watching the reviewers honestly that's there opinion at the end of the day

 

I keep telling y'all over and over and youze don't listen: The 6th Gen is gonna pair the BMW 3 cylinder turbo from the MINI Cooper with the hybrid pack from the Prius, the CVT from Subaru and the unibody of the Nissan Pathfinder. End of discussion.

 

Unibody... you single handedly jinxed the 6th Gen 4Runner.

 

Lol everyone is a comic

 

Great Thread ALL. For me, this is just further confirmation to get a 2021 4R/ORP while I can still get the same reliable drivetrain as my 2010 FJ Cruiser. After 155,000 miles I've only had to do regular maintenance. And I can still get 50% of what I paid for the FJ on trade-in.
While the gas mileage is indeed not great, it is off-set by the long term reliability. And at 70 years old, that's important. Might be my last vehicle (?) LOL

Rick

 

very good point cheers

 

https://fourxfourcars.com/2023-toyota-4runner-rumors/

If this is the new 4RUNNER, it just looks like an off-road RAV4.

 

when i was at the dealer on saturday, they are looking at 2023 for a new 4runner in Hybrid... why would anyone in the right mind would buy a 4runner hybrid?!?!?! that's illegal in some countries!

 

Totally.

Being serious in reading the tea leaves about the 6th gen, it's likely to be on a new BOF platform and that platform will probably be a net improvement. Likely to be both lighter and more rigid. It's a fair guess too that it'll have 6 or 8 or more gears, which would be a big plus so long as it's a durable unit -- which it can be. It's not like there aren't great 6 and 8 spd trannies out there.

The big concern is the motor. It's hard to imagine it won't be a turbo and/or hybrid. And even if it's not, you know it will introduce fuel saving tech such as direct ignition and maybe auto start/stop or even cylinder deactivation. It's when all those complexities are added -- and unlike our 4.0 the motor has not had the chance to be proven near bulletproof for more than a decade in actual use -- that one gets worried.

I really wish they would give us a lighter BOF and more gears and not mess with the motor. But that seems extremely unlikely given the fuel economy concerns. Too bad. So, yes, I'd totally buy one before the switch.

 

I’d buy one in a heartbeat.

 

I imagine the upcoming new Tundra will give us a preview of Toyota's styling direction for its next generation of trucks and BOF SUVs.

Here's (area in the square) where C&D thinks it's headed.

 

One thing I wish my 2020 had was more gears.. and I never thought I'd say that about a transmission. In cars, 8 gears seemed too many. With a small sports car, I never even minded only having 5 gears.. a 6 speed was only really necessary for the larger, high-speed vehicles (Corvette Z06, etc.) But the weight of the 4Runner has shown me how much an additional gear could matter. It has a hard time deciding in the 3-5 range.. and likes to upshift JUST as I'm about to give her some more pedal for that incline...with another gear, I imagine that inevitable downshift wouldn't be so harsh. The transmission is obviously programmed for efficiency and short shifts (MPG).. at least in my case, that doesn't seem to work well with just the 5 (4?) gears.

 

I noticed the rear rock guard hanging down - could it be hiding from view a different differential or independent rear suspension?

 

That was the concept vehicle for the current RAV4.

 

A lot of people would. Can you imagine a 4Runner getting 30+ mpg.

 

Would be amazing. I don’t get the hate.

 

It’s a skirt. Could be the designers target market.