2005 Toyota Tacoma Preview

Some Tacoma buyers may not be happy that Toyota is increasing the size of its compact pickup, but the Japanese brand is

The new Tacoma will get a seriously improved V6 boasting 275 lb-ft of V8-like torque. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

confident most will appreciate the change. One of the top sellers in the "compact" pickup truck segment is ironically Dodge's "midsize" Dakota, due much in part to its larger configuration and available V8 engine. Nissan's 2005 Frontier is also gaining in size, therefore a larger size Tacoma seems necessary to help Toyota stay competitive. Tundra is expected to grow dimensionally with its next generation as well, which will further separate the two models that during 2005 will be closer in size.

Unlike Dakota the new Tacoma won't offer a V8, at least nothing on the subject has been announced as of yet, but it will get a seriously improved V6 boasting 275 lb-ft of V8-like torque. The 240 horsepower engine is optional, with a 2.7-L 4-cylinder featuring 164 horsepower as standard equipment. Purely speculative, it is entirely possible Toyota will introduce a hybrid gas-electric or diesel-electric (HEV) Tacoma in the near future. The automaker is the unequivocal leader in the HEV business and has

It is entirely possible Toyota will introduce a hybrid gas-electric or diesel-electric (HEV) Tacoma in the near future. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

already announced plans to offer the fuel saving, emissions friendly technology to additional models throughout its lineup.

The 2005 Tacoma will make available a variety of transmissions, including a 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic and even a 6-speed manual in the X-Runner, the latter capable of zero to 100 km/h acceleration in the neighborhood of 7 seconds.

Toyota promises much better handling than the current Tacoma, no matter which trim level. The automaker even goes so far to claim its midsize truck will outperform a Nissan 350Z in the corners, achieving more than 0.9 Gs of lateral grip in X-Runner trim. Of course, base and four-wheel drive models will not be capable of such impressive road-holding.