2016 Tacoma V6 Engine Specs

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
06/11/2015 at 12:01 • Filed to: Truck Yeah, Toyota, Tacoma, Speculation

Maybe its just bothers me, but Toyota’s lack of information about the V6 in its upcoming Tacoma is irksome. Well here’s the deal; I’m going to tell you all about it right now. Its called the 2GR-FXE

I mean, I don’t actually know , cause I don’t work for Toyota...Sorry...but I have some pretty strong clues but first lets talk about the 2GR-FXE. Want my educated guess on output? Skip to the bottom, otherwise stick around!

In the GS450h hybrid it puts out 286 hp at 6000 rpm, 254 ft-lbs at 4000 rpm without the aid of its hybrid motors. Its a shorter stroke version of the engine that’s in the current Tacoma, the 4.0L 1GR-FE, which is my first clue:

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Toyota doesn’t take risks with the Tacoma.

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I mean obviously there has to be a new engine every so often for its trucks but historically speaking, if it aint broke don’t fix it seems to be the corporate screensaver at Toyota truck HQ. Not that its a bad thing, mind you since reliability is the cornerstone of Tacoma sales it makes sense to stick with a conservative formula. It also makes sense for modularity and keeping costs down internationally.

Although we know that the Tacoma is going to feature some pretty extensive changes to the chassis, the skin is awfully familiar and you can bet that many of the hard points are too. It makes sense then that an engine of identical exterior dimensions and mounting points yet more advanced would be an ideal candidate.

The 2GR-FXE is that advanced version, as it features almost all the current Toyota bells and whistles - D4-S dual injection, continuously variable VVT-i on both cams, and of course Toyota’s modified Atkinson cycle (lets call it MA for short.) Which is clue the second:

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The similarities are hard to ignore

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Things we know about the new Tacoma engine:

3.5 liters

Atkinson Cycle

D4-S injection

Things we know about the 2GR-FXE:

3.5 liters

Atkinson Cycle

D4-S injection

Now its not impossible that Toyota has a brand new V6 family , but it is unlikely that it would debut in the Tacoma which...as we’ve discussed...isn’t about taking risks. There is also history to suggest that Toyota likes to keep its engine families as long at it can, so long as they are still viable.

But is that all we know about the 2016 engine? No actually, since Toyota kindly provides us with the dash of the new truck.

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Thanks for the red line Toyota.

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The engine we know a lot about for the 2016 Tacoma is the sturdy but slow 2TR-FE 4 cylinder engine. We also know it red lines at 5500 rpm where this tach shows 6000. Coincidentally the 2GR-FXE also redlines at 6000 rpm.

Lastly and more subjectively what would you consider the biggest complaint people have about the current V6?

Noise?

Durability?

Low end grunt?

I can promise you the number one thing on most every current gen Tacoma owners mind is...

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Fuel Economy.

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The GR engine already has toughness and reliability in spades, but it lacks in 2 critical areas:

Horsepower

Fuel economy

The truth is that the current 236 hp isn’t the big number it used to be and in the age of 300 plus hp NA V6 engines it sure sounds wimpy to be carting around with a puny 236...I mean, can you even get up hills with that? Part of this is legit; HP is important at speed and more is generally better. Part of it is marketing, as in; On paper, the current engine get its ass handed to it by the competition. Well, at least with fewer horses running around you have fewer to feed, right?

Well...about that. The current 5 speed V6 Tacoma isn’t all that bad with fuel, but its not great either, and considering that the market for small and medium sized trucks has long stopped being about inexpensive utility and more about replacing the sedan in the garage each one of those miles per gallon of exploding dino is critical for sales. Toyota knows it needs better fuel economy in a big way for this truck. HP gets people into the showroom but in this segment miles per gallon and a car like experience is whats going to sell it. So this would be a good time to address the elephant in the room:

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Why Atkinson Cycle?

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First and foremost the marketer in me wants you to know that, yes, its usually used in cars you don’t like...got it but if you can get past that I think you will see it has its merit. The reason that its used in Hybrids (boo, hiss, etc) is because its very fuel efficient. I could write an entire article on the Otto vs MA (modified Atkinson) cycle, and still might, but for the sake of this study lets boil it down to:

Otto cycle has better specific output

MA has better use of the expanding gases that spin your crank shaft baby right round....like a record player even.

Interestingly Toyota HAS figured out a way to combine the snooze of fuel savings with the excitement of expanding gases in two parts; dual injection methods (port and direct) and wideband valve timing that takes advantage of both cycles. That’s the good news. The bad news is that its only starting to trickle in on cars like the Lexus RC-F and NX200T. Partly because its costly to add the kinds of electric assisted cam phasing that’s part of the VVT-ie system (in addition to the dual injection strategy and myriad of other small but exotic tech it takes to make the MA cycle work) and partly because Toyota has a history of holding onto the fancy stuff for Lexus. What it means is that the new Tacoma engine is not likely to get the Electric VVT-ie system that allows for the wide valve phasing required.

That puts us back on square 1 with the 2GR-FXE. As I mentioned before, the upside of the MA cycle is better fuel economy, the downside is lower specific output and specifically lower torque. It the sound of that last part has you worried, it has me worried too. What made the old trucks lack of hp palatable was the power “under the curve” thanks to an engine tuned for low end torque and a predictable flat curve. With the newer engine, Toyota will have to work some interesting engineering to be able to meet the characteristic torque expected in engines for vehicles like this. Then again, maybe most people don’t care; HP and MPG are all the numbers that people care about...that being said I think people will notice a lack of urgency even if they don’t know why.

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What does it all mean?

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Well, I guess if you came down here looking for numbers I should get those out of the way first.

Without VVT-ie (reworked 2GR-FXE):

~270 hp @ 6000 rpm

~260 ft-lbs @4000 rpm

And for fun, a version with VVT-ie (a reworked 2GR-FSE)

300+ hp @6000 rpm

275 ft-lbs @ 3800 rpm

For the likely candidate of the version without VVT-ie, we see gains of 35 for HP and undoubtedly huge gains for economy but a slight loss of torque, especially low down where it matters most. This is based on the specs for the GS450h but with 87 octane (not 91) and re-tuned for better torque. It will also most likely be the most fuel efficient midsize gas truck on the market and in all likelihood should have more power for passing and enough grunt for off-roading and towing but will probably loose that paper battle, unless your talking MPG. At first glance it looks underwhelming, but remember again that these are guesses. Good guessed, but guesses and they could surprise us all and do a full beans VVT-ie version and do a win/win for power and economy. That having been said, I don’t think they will. The question on my mind is:

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Is winning on MPG enough?

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The other part of the equation is the fact that the Tacoma was never a winner by being the best in any or all categories, it was a winner cause it scored high in the most places and had the quality, dependability and reliability people expected. I think its a bold move for Toyota here to chase mileage over power, lets see if it pays off Cotton.

DISCUSSION (45)

DrJohannVegas > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 12:17

I would give you oppo gold just for the great two-sentence comparison of Modified Atkinson and Otto. This is some good Oppo.

WiscoProud > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 12:19

Good article. My guess is that the Tacoma will have the version without VVT-ie. 260ftlbs @4,000 isn’t terrible either.

Unfortunately I think you’re right that all people seem to care about is HP and MPG. MPG is certainly understandable, as we all live in the real world and this is typically someone’s DD. But the reliance on HP is due to the automakers using it for marketing since WWII. Its simply a sexy number.

For trucks, and I believe we’re in agreement, torque is at least as important as HP. It would be nice if for trucks and SUVs that are expected to see their intended use the automakers would advertise torque along with HP.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 12:22

Anyone else rather have something smaller? How about a 22re?

HammerheadFistpunch > DrJohannVegas
06/11/2015 at 12:23

I was pretty happy with that line...but it was like 3 AM when I wrote it so I’m glad to see its funny to people who aren’t delirious.

HammerheadFistpunch > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
06/11/2015 at 12:25

Smaller truck? I predict the small truck market is going to explode in the new 5-7 years. One of these manufactures is going to find a way to make their cheap small trucks viable here and its going to catch on in a big way. Toyota doesn’t seem to have a plan for this though, so it will be at least 10 years before we see another truly small Toyota truck in the US.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 12:27

Yeah. Smaller all around, I guess. It’s weird that no one thinks there’s a market for them. Obviously their sales are going to go down if they’re not available. It didn’t seem like anyone was having trouble moving Rangers, S10s, and small Tacos when they were still being made. Now the new Canyon and Tacoma are considered the “small” ones, but they’re the size of a full-sized truck fifteen or twenty years ago.

HammerheadFistpunch > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
06/11/2015 at 12:32

Funny enough, the ranger was discontinued in 2011 but in 2010 sold more than 70,000 copies. i.e. more than Land Rover and Jaguar combined sold in the US last year.

RallyWrench > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 12:41

Nice job connecting the dots. It’s a little sad that the 4.0’s output is considered weak now, I remember thinking how badass it sounded over the 3.4 Tacoma I had. Now, what the hell is Nissan going to do with the Frontier?

HammerheadFistpunch > RallyWrench
06/11/2015 at 12:44

Nissan IS in the business of taking risks; Expect a small 4 cylinder cummins and a reworked (again) VQ engine when (if) it finally makes it to market. Whats sad about the 4.0L is that it was finally getting its stride in the dual VVT-i versions for the 4runner. This new 3.5 will be better on fuel and be an okay match for the Tacoma when empty because its so much lighter than the 4Runner, but the 4Runner will have the better engine once the bed or hitch gets loaded, IMO.

HammerheadFistpunch > WiscoProud
06/11/2015 at 13:05

no 260 isn’t that bad, but it is a loss from the current engine at likely at higher rpm with a more peaky curve. The choice for MA cycle for this truck doesn’t make a lot of sense to me personally...but we’ll see.

Saracen > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 13:06

Just like the Chevy and Jeep V6’s, I think these V6’s are tuned too much for horsepower and not enough for torque.

I mean, I understand that horsepower is what sells these things but I think it’s a bit silly. 260hp and 300lb-ft is much more appleaing to me than 300hp and 275lb-ft.

HammerheadFistpunch > Saracen
06/11/2015 at 13:09

I’m right there with you . However, Torque is a difficult concept to get for lots of people but hp... thats just POWAA and more is more better.

Saracen > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 13:13

I think it’s started because people started buying trucks as daily drivers and hardly ever use the damn things for their intended purposes of towing and hauling stuff...so they don’t have an appreciation for just what torque can do for them.

Saracen > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 13:15

That was a nice writeup...but there is one thing I did not see mentioned, and that’s the inevitable carbon buildup that the direct-injected 3.6 will experience.

HammerheadFistpunch > Saracen
06/11/2015 at 13:18

Ah, D4-S is dual injection. These engines are pretty much the only DI engines on the market that don’t suffer from this since the port injections provides the wash over the valves necessary to prevent carbon deposits.

HammerheadFistpunch > Saracen
06/11/2015 at 13:24

Man I can tell you, I fell in love with my lazy low hp engine on this kokopelli trail. Having all the torque I wanted right off idle and without throttle lag made all the difference.

Saracen > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 13:25

Doh, you’re right it’s using D4-S. Not enough coffee in me yet.

Saracen > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 13:26

After I close escrow on the house I’m selling my car and getting a couple of older used cars instead. A fun DD and a truck (I’ve needed one for a while, I keep borrowing my dad’s Ridgeline). FJ60 and FJ80 are possibilities though I’m also thinking something with diesel power.

HammerheadFistpunch > Saracen
06/11/2015 at 13:31

That was my plan, but the wife nixed my 3 car policy so now my truck is all I have. No complaints though. I would advice against an cruiser unless you really want a cruiser. They are wonderful vehicles, but they aren’t the best everyday utility trucks. I mean, i LOVE mine, but I knew I wanted into that whole world.

nermal > Saracen
06/11/2015 at 14:21

In both cases, the key to their success is the transmission that they are matched to.

Specifically with the FCA V6, the 8spd auto used in the GC and Ram trucks is a perfect fit. They tune it so that it uses less fuel at lower revs (thus less POWAHHH), but that also makes it more efficient. Program the transmission to up shift a lot when the POWAHHH isn’t needed, and improve MPGs. On the flip side, make downshifts quick and easily accessible, and that makes it *feel* fast when you stomp on it.

Saracen > nermal
06/11/2015 at 14:28

Yep, I have a friend with an 8-speed RAM Hemi. the transmission is pretty amazing.

PlymouthBreezeExpresso > HammerheadFistpunch
06/11/2015 at 14:33

My friends and I have had this exact same discussion more than once that GM should have put that awesome 4.3L EcoTec III V6 in the colorado/canyon instead of the LFX V6. Great write up.

HammerheadFistpunch > PlymouthBreezeExpresso
06/11/2015 at 14:35

Thanks, I nearly forgot I did that until Saracen reminded me.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch
06/12/2015 at 18:32

Nice work. Frankly I’m disappointed regardless because you can’t get a base cab anymore if I recall, and you can’t get a real longbed still. They call the 6’ bed on the quad cab a long bed, but that was once know as a “short box!”

But moving on to the actual topic, I’m sure sales will be great regardlesss because of the all-around historic quality you mentioned. 275 HP for a pickup that will be largely used to commute anyway is nothing to scoff at.

HammerheadFistpunch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/12/2015 at 18:35

I also am disappointed at these guesses. The word on the street is that it feels like torquey...which is the real shame.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch
06/12/2015 at 18:40

I shouldn’t talk too much — I’m obviously not in the market for a new truck, or new anything for that matter, but my work truck is a ‘14 Taco base cab 2wd auto with the 2.7 and it’s great. I don’t think you’ll find many people shopping for this type of vehicle (which is why Toyota and Nissan stopped making small base cab pickups).

Have Jeep, will travel. > HammerheadFistpunch
06/13/2015 at 00:23

You want a fun fact? I work for BMW. I found out that Chevy sells more basic, white fleet work trucks, then BMW sells cars here in a year. We have a huge dealer network, plant, seemingly large operation. That puts it into perspective on my end. Crazy.

Have Jeep, will travel. > HammerheadFistpunch
06/13/2015 at 00:27

Meanwhile my jem of a Pentastar thumps right along with 285hp, and a flat torque band... .... The 4.0 has been outdated for a long time. Toyota rested on their laurels and counted on their name to keep selling trucks. Expensive trucks. More than a fullsize at times. We’ll see how Toyota stacks up again in the real world soon enough.

SWITAWI > HammerheadFistpunch
06/13/2015 at 21:45

Came here for a thoughtful, well-written article.

Got that plus an 80s music reference.

Am NOT disappointed.

Keep up the good work, Hammer.

Djenkolic > SWITAWI
06/16/2015 at 19:29

Great write up/postulation, 80’s music reference AND a reference to Jason Bateman in Dodgeball

spw > HammerheadFistpunch
06/18/2015 at 17:54

Toyota does not have atkinson cycle only engine, last time I read about their new engines, they use VVT-Ie because torque is too low on the bottom for atkinson cycle engines, which does not matter in hybrids since they have electric motors that give them 36-46hp at any point in rpm range. So this will certainly use VVT-iE... most important part here is that it uses more advanced D4S than Lexus 2GR-FSE, and thats what improved torque at any point on range by 8%-10%. It does have lower redline than GS so there is no way it will have 300hp at 6100 rpm... but more important is addition of torque at 2000 rpm.

HammerheadFistpunch > spw
06/18/2015 at 18:04

I hope they use vvt-ie, but they do have a non-vvti-e version, the 2gr-fxe, its just not used in anything but a hybrid. What makes the d4s more advanced in this version? Also, I know it wont have a redline more than 6000, cause the tach says it wont. I have hopes that we will get a vvt-ie version, but I have my doubts.

Ultrakill > HammerheadFistpunch
06/19/2015 at 12:23

The wife and I share a 2010 Mini Cooper (hers) and 1990 Mitsubishi Montero (mine). I also have a Kawi Ninja 650R, but don’t drive that as much as I should. Am I crazy for also wanting a “family” car since we have a baby on the way? The Montero is certainly big enough, but I know it’s not the wife’s favorite car to drive around town, and I’m also not sure about the safety of Montero if it were in an accident.

HammerheadFistpunch > Ultrakill
06/19/2015 at 12:26

Yours is a 1st gen Montero, right? Yeah, those would scare me for safety too, you would be amazed how much and how quickly your brain re-wires for safety when you have kids. A Tacoma would make a great family car, my buddy has on that is his daily driver with 1 kid and 1 more on the way and loves it.

Ultrakill > HammerheadFistpunch
06/19/2015 at 12:49

Yeah it’s 1st Gen, no airbags, (probably) no crumple zones.

HammerheadFistpunch > Ultrakill
06/19/2015 at 12:51

I was pretty sketched out about driving my kids around in an 18 year tank, but after seeing what they look like after a rollover and major crash...im good. The 80 series may be a lard butt and old, but the roof strength and pillar strength blows me away.

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch
07/09/2015 at 17:26

I like that you fully expanded this article; using all the information you could.

JKGecko > HammerheadFistpunch
07/09/2015 at 18:12

Looks like you may have nailed it with the reworked 2GR-FSE. Other sources are now hinting at 300hp/280tq and an engine designation of 2GR-FKS. Supposedly official prices were leaked this morning starting at $22,200 for the single (access) cab 4-cyl going up to $39,375 for the double-cab V6 Limited.

Big Block I-4 > HammerheadFistpunch
07/10/2015 at 08:40

Man I should have paid attention when the chief truck engineer was doing the walk around of the new Tacoma, guess I also could have asked. But, I was kind of working so I didn’t.

Hi there > HammerheadFistpunch
07/10/2015 at 11:51

Well, kind of bad that there are no airbags or crumple zones. Those enable the vehicle to lessen the acceleration of your body (remember, technically “acceleration” means any change in speed) in a crash by diverting energy that would otherwise be imparted into you into folding up the vehicle and slowing your torso and head down with a combo of airbags and seatbelt.

HammerheadFistpunch > Hi there
07/10/2015 at 15:13

I have crumple zones and airbags

Hi there > HammerheadFistpunch
07/10/2015 at 16:12

Then why did you use this statement “I was pretty sketched out about driving my kids around in an 18 year tank, but after seeing what they look like after a rollover and major crash...im good.”

HammerheadFistpunch > Hi there
07/10/2015 at 20:41

those statements aren't mutually exclusive

DemonOfTheFall > HammerheadFistpunch
07/21/2015 at 00:45

I wonder if there will be any TRD Supercharger kits developed for this application. I deliberated too long and now missed with the window on a TRD Supercharger for the 1GR-FE unless I find an old stock or used one kicking around.

Tim > HammerheadFistpunch
08/17/2015 at 09:43

Pretty well done. I think if this was horseshoes you get a point, or if it was hunting, it’d be a kill.

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