Modern technology has come to the 2016 Toyota Tacoma big time. Over the years, the quality of pickup trucks has been defined by engine power, hauling strength, off-road performance, usability and practicality.
But Toyota is adding on to the criteria technological innovations and showed it in full splendour and glory during the unveiling of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma at the North American International Auto Show held at Detroit, Michigan on January 12, 2015.
Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager Bill Fay launched the all-new 2016 Tacoma before cheering audience, awed not only by the handsome look of the pickup truck from the outside but what it has to offer in the inside.
Technology Tell reports that Toyota seems to have waxed hot in bringing tons of high-tech features to the 2016 Tacoma, which is a novel concept among pickup trucks both from the past and even those ruling mostly the off-roads today.
Power under the hood
Other than the new high-tech features, pickup truck enthusiasts are more excited of the kind of power that the new 2016 Toyota Tacoma exudes under its hood.
The pickup is powered by a 3.5-liter Atkinson cycle V6 engine, which Toyota claims as the first in its class, and also more powerful and fuel-efficient than ever before.
The engine is using Toyota’s D4S technology that uses direct and port injection. The engine is paired with an all-new six-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual transmission.
Some traditional pickup truck users however were a bit dismayed upon learning that Toyota will not be making available the six-speed manual shift stick with the Tacoma’s base model that uses the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Techie features all over
Apart from superb, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma high-tech features are both surprising and amazing since some of it has never seen the light of day in a pickup before. It is only now that it is adapted by Toyota on the 2016 Tacoma to add a touch of techno-savvy on a muscular and brawny vehicle.
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma features a smart key with push-button start. It has been loaded with a multi-terrain select system that enables the driver to select between the various types of terrain that the vehicle will traverse on a particular trip. This improves the off-road prowess of the pickup.
The pickup is also fitted with automatic limited slip and rear locking differential, a hill start assist control, a clutch start cancel for manual transmission, active traction control for better road grip, and crawl control to slow down driving.
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma also has the capability to take control of the vehicle’s acceleration and braking so that the driver can focus on the steering, almost leaving the rest to the pickup. There’s also a GoPro rear view camera for added driving safety, especially for backing purposes.
In terms of what’s in the dashboard, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma has an enhanced touch screen audio system, a wireless Qi charging for smartphones, and a blind spot monitor with cross-traffic alert.