Toyota unveiled the redesigned Tacoma final week and now the automaker is giving us a glimpse into its improvement.

The method began greater than 4 years in the past and happened in the course of the coronavirus pandemic, which “didn’t make improvement straightforward.” Nonetheless, the large information is that Individuals performed a a lot bigger function within the creation of the most recent Tacoma.

Whereas Japan is often closely concerned in automobile improvement, the corporate embraced the concept that Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) ought to have extra management over automobiles designed for the North American market. In consequence, “main choices” have been made at TMNA R&D headquarters in York Township, Michigan and TMNA headquarters in Plano, Texas.

Extra: The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Is The Swiss Military Knife Of Pickups As It Provides Hybrid Energy, Handbook And 6′ Mattress

This hands-off method was pioneered with the Tundra and Tacoma Chief Engineer Sheldon Brown famous, TMNA led “every little thing from the preliminary venture planning to the associated fee evaluation to the event of the ultimate product.”

Moreover being designed and developed in the US, the Tacoma was extensively examined right here as effectively. A complete of 401 prototypes have been constructed for testing functions and that’s the “most models ever for a TMNA R&D prototype construct.”

The prototypes have been subjected to an assortment of exams, each on- and off-road. Specifically, a number of dozen engineers traveled to Arizona to check the truck on trails prospects may encounter. As a part of this course of, the vans have been outfitted with conventional off-road equipment and loaded to “darn close to GVW.”

As a refresher, the 2024 Tacoma is the Swiss military knife of pickups because it affords two physique types in addition to 5’ and 6’ beds. Clients will even discover computerized and guide transmissions in addition to three powertrains primarily based on a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Essentially the most notable is the i-Power Max, which is hybridized and produces 326 hp (243 kW / 331 PS) and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) of torque.