6th Gen is coming...

Inside inside. He saw them last week.

 

He did not see other than gas and hybrid

 

And he didn't have the decency to snap a blurry, poorly framed spy shot? Lame.

 

LOL

 

No cellphone or any recording devices in that room...

 

Just razzin

 

I will add my 2 cents worth to the discussion. I have no idea what Toyota will do with the 4Runner, but I like to explore off-road and the 4R is great for that. I do wish it had a more powerful v6 or v8. I doubt Toyota will ever put a diesel in a 4R for two reasons:

1. Diesels have a harder time making the emissions numbers. I own a 2001 F250 with the 7.3 diesel and was told by my Ford dealership acquaintance that Ford discontinued the 7.3 because they could not make the emissions number. The 7.3, was one of the best diesels ever made. Mine is still going strong

2. Diesels have a lot of parts and are heavier engines. Granted, I am not up on the latest diesel motors available, but I just don't see Toyota making the effort to build a diesel, given the emissions hurdle and costs.

My best guess is that Toyota will move to a hybrid or turbo. I am not a fan of a turbo engine. Not because of the HP, but because they are an expensive maintenance item and will need to be replaced at some point. My BMW mechanic told the the turbo is one of the top repair items on their cars.

We all long for the ultimate off-road vehicle that gets 20+ mpg and can haul comfortably in overdrive. Unfortunately, our current best option is a 4wd truck, as they are built for hauling. But the sacrifice is a less nimble vehicle.

Alas, we can all hope for the ultimate 4R configuration, but I think the options will be turbo or hybrid. And in the very long run, electric will be forced on all of us. The off-road worthy vehicles will have to have solar panels built into the tops, because who can afford to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery?

 

Well they closed the plant in Toyota Japan. Wonder if they will make it in Canada?

 

But they just opened the Woven city plant?

 

Wait they closed the Tahara plant in Japan? Isn't that were the 4runner is made?

Edit: Its still open, but I wonder if this Woven city plant will take over 4runner production. I have mixed feelings because the Tahara plant did such a good job on my 4runner. I'm sure the Americans can make a good vehicle.

Anyone find it ironic that a Japanese based automotive company employs more Americans than an American based automotive company?

 

There ar some saying it might be built in Texas where the Tundra will be build since they will share now a platform.

I have said the same thing when I would argue with a neighbor years ago. He was all about buying American, which is great. But, he still had something against Toyota even though most of the Toyotas we drive here are made here.

 

The vehicles I associate with red blooded 'buy domestic' Americans are partly made in the USA. The Tacoma is made in Texas an Mexico. And the Tundra has components made in the US and assembled in the US to avoid the chicken tax. The sedans and crossovers and 4runner are all made somewhere in Asia.

I wouldn't be surprised if 4runner production leaves Tahara, and goes to Texas since they will be using the TNGA(?) platform like you said. Also the US is the biggest buyer of 4runners and it doesn't make sense considering the Surf was discontinued.

 

Need more details from your source!

These speculative 6th Gen 4R articles found online, that seem like they were written by an ESL student, just aren’t cutting it.

 

Its too early in development to have decent quality leaks. I remember how when the Jeep JL came out we only got a view of the fender a month or two before it was released. The bronco got its features leaked extensively at least a year in advanced, and blurry images from briefings were leaked a while before, though the two models caused confusion until it was realized they were two different vehicles. Judging by the Tundra, I wont expect good leaks for at least a few months.

 

My source works for TMS. He takes care of media cars, new cars, special cars. This warehouse stores those vehicles. He received new 4R, cleaned, preped for testing. I saw new Mirai there along with some tacoma, tundra. 4Rs have been gone last week....

 

I could see the next 4runner getting a panoramic sunroof as an option. I think it would be a great way of giving a nod to the first gen 4runner where you could completely remove the roof. Toyota gave the Venza a giant sunroof. Though it is Toyota, so maybe not.

Do you see the 4runner increasing or decreasing in size?

 

A panoramic glass roof. If it's glued in and rigid, I hope that it is a better quality glass than the windshields are.

 

Ya glass is heavy they save a lot of weight by thinner and downsizing..

 

Has there been any updates on this from your source?

 

I have not see him since. I will be visiting his facility later this month.

 

I'd bet anyone here a 1000 bucks that the next gen will have the following:

1. a BOF platform -- it won't be unibody
2. more gears -- and not a CVT
3. a gasoline engine -- with or without an added turbo and/or electric motor

Beyond that, none of us has the slightest fn idea

 

I tend to agree and hope you're right about those things. I think a hybrid could be awesome if it's well executed.

 

That’s a bet I won’t be taking.

 

I wonder how sales may be impacted upon a major change due to the fact that reliability will then be unknown of the new. I think many including myself are purchasing due to reputation currently

If they change engine and tranny together the clock starts over in how reliable it is compared to the old.

I am not suggesting never change it but by the same token a lot companies make new engines and trannies and they stink. I hope they get any changes right. Nobody wants to spend $40k plus and have issues.

I guess anything can have issues but for me it’s about putting the odds in your favor

 

We’ve beat this topic to death (but why stop now? )

The solution for people like me is to build the thing on a more modern BOF, which should reduce weight while increasing stiffness, add a reliable 8 spd tyranny like the ZF to improve both MPG and performance, find some more weight savings in places that won’t compromise durability (eg repackaging to reduce total amount of materials, lighter glass and body panels, aluminum in some places that now use steel) and leave the engine as is.

But that won’t yield enough of a MPG boost for Toyota. Thus the likelihood they also switch to a more efficient engine plus poss a hybrid setup. My hunch is they’ll make the hybrid optional. If so, for folks who don’t care as much about MPG, the main new reliability question will revolve around the new engine.

I really think the above is the most logical prediction.

 

There are always people willing to be guinea pigs to have the latest.

I’ll wait and see what Toyota brings to the table for a LC replacement. That should give a few years for any 6th Gen issues to present themselves, Toyota to work out any bugs, and for me to decide which I want to go.

 

Toyota knows that the CVT is shit for reliability and off road, two things a lot of buyers of the 4runner care about. I think it will get a key fob with a manual key backup like most vehicles on the market. I hope it decreases in size, the third gen was the perfect size. Isn't it given that it will use the new TNGA body on frame chassis

 

BOF typically heavier but tried and true since Model T
Unibody will save weight but will hurt to see a great off road vehicle like 4R go to this platform imo
I feel tho if they go to "new" engine/tran wouldn’t be such a big deal, since as yall know, Toyota gineers pretty good at doing what they do
My2c