Should you’ve been being attentive to information concerning the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma, you have undoubtedly heard that Toyota is sticking with one of many truck’s most coveted options: the six-speed manual transmission. Whereas we’re overwhelmingly grateful for this, particularly with introducing a completely refreshed platform in 2024, one factor is bugging us: What is going on on with that shift boot?
Possibly we’re simply overanalyzing it, however the Tacoma’s shifter-and-shift-boot mixture feels a bit off. Is it too tall? Is it too frumpy? Or are we simply so used to fashionable vans having automated transmissions that the model of yesteryear’s bigger boots appears bizarre? To search out out, we requested the Tacoma’s chief engineer to clarify what is going on on underneath that boot.
One of many greatest modifications underneath the hood for the Tacoma is its new turbocharged four-cylinder. Toyota added an excellent little bit of energy with the brand new 2.4-liter, making as much as 278 horsepower obtainable to the motive force. And whereas it ditched the outgoing truck’s optionally available V6, it made up the distinction with the i-Drive Max hybrid system that produces a somewhat sturdy 326 HP and 465 pound-feet of torque.
Now, solely the non-hybrid variant may be geared up with the six-speed guide. And since the brand new engine needed to be mated to Toyota’s six-speed gearbox, the automaker needed to do some tweaking to make issues match, together with including an extended shifter. In line with Tacoma Chief Engineer Sheldon Brown, that further size and longer throw is the key sauce that prompted the look of the shift boot.
“The shift lever is a bit bit longer throw as a result of the 6MT made it to the brand new L4 turbo,” Tacoma chief engineer Sheldon Brown instructed The Drive.
“We needed to change, in fact, the bell housing and so the mechanical attachment to the place that goes to the transmission is a bit bit longer. Now we have just a bit bit longer throw, so, due to this fact, we had a bit bit longer shift lever and the boot is simply there to match that.”
Though the shifter seems to be a bit misplaced, it is admittedly exhausting to normalize the seems to be of a guide transmission in a category the place it is already so scarce. And, it isn’t like the reply is essentially a shorter shifter both as a result of tweaking the ergonomics of the place the shifter lands within the driver’s hand would require an extra redesign of the middle console.
Regardless of the quirks, we’re nonetheless comfortable to see a guide shift knob in a contemporary automobile. Positive, it is no Volvo Spaceball or any Pagani shifter, however it’s nonetheless enjoyable and very truck-like. Individuals will undoubtedly develop into it over time, so let’s all take pleasure in that Toyota had the gall to maintain a guide within the new Tacoma.
Received a tip or query for the creator? Contact them straight: rob@thedrive.com
