Let us also not forget that this is the first 'mostly' new Tacoma in over a decade and it was the recent introduction of competition that sparked it. As the market shares swing we may see even better things being brought to market in terms of options, features and power trains. We may see a new kick ass 4cyl turbo that is capable of 30mpg mixed while making the same amount of power or possibly even MORE than the current 6cyl. The technology is there it's just a question of how much of it manufacturers will have to put into a truck to sell them. Right now, Toyota has the market and hasn't been forced to do anything really to have people lined up to buy every truck they can produce. Now that there's some competition things are going to get very interesting which helps us as the consumer.
The way the market has been heading, the only options and features we will be getting are lazy people creature comfort ones that make the cars even more house on wheels (than they already are). I do not need any more laser guided this, radar controller that, self park this, computer performed everything else.
And I have nothing against turbo charging. I think they are awesome, but not always in every application. I have been driving every iteration of Ford's EcoBoost models for the last 7 months (Focus, Fusion, Escape, F150, etc) and everyone of them still exhibits typical turbo characteristics (boost lag, off-power band slugishness, lack of low end torque, etc). Granted they miles betters than turbos of the past plus all were automatics. However, I still don't want any hint of that sh*t in my truck. I want immediate low end torque, I want smooth power delivery, so on and so forth. it is an effing truck. And I don't think we will be getting McLarren P1 "torque fill" electronic motor system for these turbos any time soon.
However, I do agree that all these regulations aren't helping any of this. And, yes, we do not know all of the facts or impressions yet...so a lot of this is typical enthusiast :argh: 'bout how our options have sucked, currently suck, and will suck even more. :laugh: