2006 Toyota Tundra: 325 HP DOHC ! Can Nissan match?

[PHOEBISIS]

Derodeo,I am sure I read somewhere Toyota is licensing it's Hybrid technology to some other car maker.I can't remember which one-maybe Ford??It's a good idea since it cost a lot to develope,and currently Toyota isn't making anything with it.They are losing money on every Prius they sell(according to smoething I read).It is great PR of course.
5000lb trucks are a natural for Turbo Diesel power,especially since they can make them quieter,and cleaner with the Euro spec fuel.The Euros use them on everything-on tiny 2000 lbs vehicles.A decent Turbo diesel could probably get us an honest 16-18 mpg city,and 22-23 hy and still make 300+hp.A lot of the Ford guys brag about getting 18 mpg city with their Powerstrokes right now!(My neighbors 2002 F-250 gets just 11 however).The newest Powerstroke does have some serious QC and engineering problems,but that is Fords problem-nothing inherent to Diesels.
A Diesel is a lot simpler than a Hybrid,and probably cheaper,maybe even lighter-Toyota is subsidizing the Prius and it still sells for $27000 loaded-$6000 more than a loaded Accord 4 cyl.
Nissan must have a homemarket Diesel they could plug in.I'd like to see it. I should have my head examined for planning to buy a 12 mpg city vehicle now,but the motor is sooooo nice,I can't resist!!Luck,Charlie

[DallasTitan]

Here are some additional pic.s

If I see any spy photo's, I'll post ASAP.

[LS1POWERED]

Originally Posted by DallasTitan

Here are some additional pic.s

If I see any spy photo's, I'll post ASAP.

Is it me or does that ramp look useless? To small for anything except maby a bike?? It almost looks too small to even walk safely up!

[Derodeo]

I'm pretty sure that Toyoto is sharing their electric hybrid technology with GM. That will allow GM to sell the first hybrid full size trucks next model year.

All these years of cheap gas have made the car manufacturers lazy. Ford has several really good (high performance and economical) turbo-diesel engines that they sell in Europe and Australia but not here. Part of the problem is the relatively dirty diesel fuel they (used to) sell in N. America but there are ways around that. Nissan has a major diesel engine manufacturing concern (Nissan Diesel?) but doesn't bother making one for their big gas guzzling vehicles. That's bad enough with gas at $2 per gallon but it's going to be much worse when it's $3 - $4 by 2006.

[PHOEBISIS]

Derodeo,I did a search.Ford just entered a licensing agreement to use the Toyota Hybrid tech-pretty smart,that is how they can put their little Hybrid SUV out so quickly(Escape I think).I also found out that in 2002 Nissan entered into some sort of Hybrid tech sharing agreement.It sounded like they were going to do R&D and share costs and results.So with their proven Diesel capabilities they could put together a Titan Turbo Diesel-maybe with Hybrid tech,very quickly.They could combine the 2 techs and get a true full sized 4 door with true 20mpg city capability.
You're right about GM and Toyota,they have a long history of joint ventures.My Chevy Prizm is a rebadged corolla made on the same CA assembly line.
So the Euros had the cleaner diesel,but we are finally getting it?Great,about time.All these technologies will work just fine with renewable fuels like alcohol from corn,or cellulose,and vegetable oil based diesel.It cost maybe 2-3 times as much per unit of energy to use "grown fuel",but $4/gal gas is on the way,and in the USA we are paying a price to secure cheap oil.Charlie
PS GM just traded Honda some small diesel motors(from one of GMs European companies) for Honda's 3.5 liter V-6 and 5 speed.They use the motor-trans in their VUE.Win,Win.Honda uses the motor in their Pilot;it will make the Vue a pocket rocket since it is 900lbs lighter.

[ChuhBaca]

Originally Posted by LS1POWERED

Is it me or does that ramp look useless? To small for anything except maby a bike?? It almost looks too small to even walk safely up!

That ramp looks to be a little wider and possible stronger than what I currently use to load my bikes (one dirt, one street).

[CaliforniaTitan]

Pheobsis,

Yup, the Escape was on Good Morning America a couple of weeks ago with the GM of Ford and thier lead Engineer showing it off. Not sure if they are in cahoots with Toyota, but it seemed to be exactly the same technology that I have had discussions with the Toyota dealers about concerning the Pruis.

I should add to this a little as well....the spot mentioned 60-70MPG for the Escape but were not 'firm' numbers as the EPA cert wasn't done yet. If running the Gas for a majority of the time they mentioned right around 30MPG.
Also, when the question of the costs came up...the GM mentioned it should be around a $2k add-on for the Hybrid. Ask me, thats downright reasonable!

But, all that said, The new Rav4 is supposed to used the same technology and me and momma may end up with one of those eventually for a commuter after we hand the Daewoo off to my son as his car probably for xmas this year.


Chris

[PHOEBISIS]

CaliforniaTitan,you are dead on that it seemed to be exactly the same technology.They licensed the technology from Toyota,it is exactly the same stuff(built and sourced by Ford however).I searched the internet and Ford and Toyota made the agreement fairly recently(few months ago);how did they produce the Escape so quickly?They must have had an agreement in place for much longer,and just made it official recently.
Now this really is a "Better Idea" from Ford.I must admit Ford seems to be having better ideas lately-the new F150 is nice and quiet with a good interior,and very good ride.Someone has some sense over at Ford.Doubt I will ever buy a Ford,but.
GM Has on long history with Toyota,so they are probably sharing technology,but probably not making any noise about it.GM seems to be tiptoeing up to the Hybrid tech with an electric motor that acts as an assist motor,but they are using regenerative braking(I think),which is the real key to better mpg.We should have an interesting next 2 years car-truck wise.
Charlie

[DallasTitan]

Today, the local Nissan rep.(which was visiting the dealership where my truck was being serviced at) told me that the hybrid technology is in the works at Nissan. Even though they're a year or two behind Toyota, they're planning on introducing a Prius fighter(may be a version of the redesigend Sentra) in the near future. As for trucks, he said they're just taking it one step at a time(meaning wait and see how the Tundra hybrid will do....then decide.) That's about all he'd say before being wisked away by the sales manager.

Oh by the way look for 20inch wheels as a rather expensive option on '05 Titan SE and may be standard as a package on LE.

That's all for now; I'll keep searching for more.

D-Titan

[ttammunek04]

my gosh look at the size of the tires! You will have needed to win the Tenneesee powerball lottery to purchase tires. I don't really like it. Looks like a squished up turd to me. I like the straight clean lines on a pick-up. Not curvy sports sedan looking pick ups.
Anyways I don't think that they will have all of that big of an impact. I perfectly happy with my "TANK" and will drive it until the wheels fall off.

[TxTitan]

Originally Posted by gtshouse

IMO it's ugly.

My thoughts exactly, what are they thinking?

[Quad T]

There is no way that concept is coming to market. It is a concept, that is it.

Now, for fun, let's take a look at the Alpha concept. Who here remembers the Nissan Titan concept?

And for the record, although I can see some Titan characteristics in the Alpha, it is as much like a Titan as that Toyota concept will be like the revised Tundra. IMHO.

[jd1973]

Originally Posted by BigSteve

Man, if Toyota builds that thing they will be hurtin'. Just my opinion but that thing reminds me of like the El Camino and Ranchero. Only this one is bigger. Toyota is trying way to hard to incorporate style. They need to simplify that turd.

I think they use the TRD to mean something else. First thing my son said when he saw a TRD sticker on my tundra was "why do they want to tell you you are driving a turd?". Needless to say the hair dryer came out and the TRD left.

[dman]

quad,

I haven't seen that picture in awhile...funny you should bring that up. IMO, the Alpha T is very ugly and obviously other than the grill and maybe the A pillar not much got carried over to the Titan..thank goodness. Anyhow, like you were saying (I think) very seldom does a true concept really carry over fully to the production vehicle. A concept is good at generating a lot of excitement but is typically not very practical as a vehicle.

[Quad T]

dman, you and I are in the same boat.

It too is interesting how every once in a while a manufacturer will send in a curve ball. I know when I looked at the Model X I thought total concept, Honda would never bring that weird breadbox to market. And then BANG - there is the Element, looking very much like the Model X. Who would have thought??? And let there be no confusion, I love that little breadbox!

Actually I think there are several Titan-like details in the Alpha, and yes I do agree, overall it does NOT appeal to me.
- lines of hood with high center and lower side edges
- headlight brought right up to top of front fender surface
- the major slope in the front window/roofline
- the idea of a storage compartment on the side of the bed
- the line between the cab and the bed having a curve to it
- the front grille