No V8 Planned for 2010/2011

[adoihcj]

According to the official Toyota 4 Runner Facebook Page, a Fan asked the following question:

Does anyone know if Toyota plans on putting the V8 back in the 4 runner?? I have been a toyota owner for 20 years and was disappointed to see the V8 is not available in the 2010. I have been waiting for the new model to come out however I would wait to buy if the V8 is planned for the future.


And their answer was:

For now, a V8 4Runner will not be offered in 2010 or 2011 model years. Beyond that, we can't really comment. But check this out...the new V6 offers 10 more horsepower and significantly better fuel economy than the previous V8. Test drive it and let us know what you think.

 

[sandcrawler]

to me, the "For now" reads like a painstakingly parsed statement. but for those of us who, up 'til now, have been hoping the 2011 might introduce an available V8, it looks like it'll be at least 2 more years. *sigh*

Toyota's 4Runner Facebook page

 

[JP4RNR]

Just my .02

Unless the answer is from Toyota I would question the information. Also Toyota probably would not give out that information ahead of any official press release

 

[sandcrawler]

is it not a Toyota-sanctioned page? naturally, i assumed it was… and who wouldn't? i mean, the liability issues of it not being a managed communications piece for Toyota Corporate… the mind boggles! if it wasn't legit, i'd think a cease-and-desist would've arrived within days of the page's initial launch.

 

[tomhaney1]

Blah! I have written off the Runner and will go straight for the GX if I decide to buy a new one. The mast antenna was enough for me to write the truck off and the no-v8 option seals it. The GX is what the Limited 4Runner should be.

 

[b.abe825]

I test drove one today (didn't like it) and asked the same thing. The salesman I talked to said they weren't ever going to put one in for the reason listed above. It's supposed to be just as capable but more efficient.

I don't care. I want the other 2 cylinders. I don't much care for the V6 murmur. The one thing I did like were the headrests for the front seats. I may find those for mine.

He also talked about the design and said they were trying to make it look more like the Land Cruiser... I wonder if he actually meant FJCruiser?...

 

[adoihcj]

is it not a Toyota-sanctioned page? naturally, i assumed it was… and who wouldn't? i mean, the liability issues of it not being a managed communications piece for Toyota Corporate… the mind boggles! if it wasn't legit, i'd think a cease-and-desist would've arrived within days of the page's initial launch.

It IS the official 4Runner sanctioned Facebook page. I work in marketing and the way to tell if it's official is to see where the official 4Runner site leads you when you click on the Facebook link. Here's how to tell it's official:

Go to 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Click on the "Experience 4Runner" link on the bottom right of the page. Once the 4Runner minisite opens, got to the list of buttons on the right and click on Facebook. The site where I pulled the quote is the same site which pops up when you click on this link from the official 4Runner minisite.

The person answering the question IS answering on behalf of Toyota. The only way the information would be incorrect is if that person was giving out false information. If they did not know if a V8 was forthcoming in 2011, they would not have included 2011 in their answer.

 

[sandcrawler]

i have to agree with you, adoihcj. it's bizarre for a company to tip its hat on future product plans like that—and to volunteer further info re: the 2011 model year—but there it is.

i'd keep an eye on that page to see if that particular entry gets scrubbed. barring that, however, it sure looks like Toyota's position is no V8 until at least the 2012 model year—if at all.

 

[mikeync]

It IS the official 4Runner sanctioned Facebook page. I work in marketing and the way to tell if it's official is to see where the official 4Runner site leads you when you click on the Facebook link. Here's how to tell it's official:

Go to 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Click on the "Experience 4Runner" link on the bottom right of the page. Once the 4Runner minisite opens, got to the list of buttons on the right and click on Facebook. The site where I pulled the quote is the same site which pops up when you click on this link from the official 4Runner minisite.

The person answering the question IS answering on behalf of Toyota. The only way the information would be incorrect is if that person was giving out false information. If they did not know if a V8 was forthcoming in 2011, they would not have included 2011 in their answer.

OK so it is an official statement saying........absolutely nothing. "for now", "no plans" -- what did we expect to read?

Please don't buy a 4RUnner now because we are coming out with a V8 next year.....

Sorry Schmuck - we will never have another V8 4Runner - go buy a different brand and stop being interested in our cars.....

Please test drive our vehicle just sounds like a better marketing strategy - not to be rude, but if you work in marketing you should recognize this

The reason they include 2011 is because the current model is a 2010 - the next model is 2011.......

 

[Alex1911]

Blah! I have written off the Runner and will go straight for the GX if I decide to buy a new one. The mast antenna was enough for me to write the truck off and the no-v8 option seals it. The GX is what the Limited 4Runner should be.

I couldn't agree more, I drove the GX and really like it... Get rid of the barn, the 3rd row, some of the wiz bang stuff, and that is exactly what the 4Runner should have been.

I will say that the GX460 is grossly over priced and the Lexus dealers won't discount them... I've never paid more than invoice or a few hundred over invoice, I offered $2500 over invoice and the Lexus dealer told me to fly a kite. My ex knows someone at a Lexus stealership in TX and according to her, the demand on the GX isn't as high as they expected. When they start getting more in, they are going to have to start offering discounts. I understand the need to make a profit, but a mark-up of $8500 is hard to swallow. The need for Premium fuel is silly too.

I will say that I thought my '03 V8 non-VVTI was quicker than the GX460, must be the weight.

Sorry to get off topic.

BTW: If you are looking at the GX, get the NAV... The dash looks absolutely stupid with only the tiny screen for the back-up camera

 

[M1911]

I will say that I thought my '03 V8 non-VVTI was quicker than the GX460, must be the weight.

The GX460 is one fat pig of a truck. 5300 lbs! Your '03 V8 is around 4600 lbs. That's a big difference that impacts performance and mileage.

 

[Champ306]

What is toyota suppose to say to you wondering bout the V8>?

"sure sir, gas is going back up to a stupid amount, we would love to field a V8 opted runner for the 4000 people that would buy it at a loss of -enter huge amount here- for our company."

While there is a love fest going on, me sometimes included, of the old gen V8, it was proven that the V8's you coudl not give away when gas was high in price. My last V8 runner sat in inventory at my dealer for 6months with nary a test drive.

Buy the Runner for what it is, a V6 powered good SUV. if you want the Lexus, buy the Lexus. if you need that V8. Point is its not in the 4runner, and its not going to be. Toyota has learned that they dont sell when gas is this high, its marketing, its their business. They do everything with careful research with numbers to back it up, not just to spite the "4runner.org" guys.

The new runner is way better than old in most aspects from a daily use and driving perspective, and I believe thats what a vehicle is about.

 

[wolfgang]

The 4Runner with its truck separate frame and a V8 was such a great tow vehicle (TV). The V6 is simply not beefy enough for any long distance, frequent towing at near load capacity (especially if there are any mountains along the way). Seems 1/3 of all past 4th generation 4 Runners were V8 (no statistics to prove) - there wasn't much of a mileage penalty either. I got the 4L V6 and regret it when I do infrequently tow. Yota is pushing folks needing a TV to Ford and Chevy. The 4 cyl 2.7 is final insult in such a heavy SU. Back in '90 I had a 22RE 5spd 4Runner - which was barely adequate with only me and flat surfaces --- can't see it at all with an AT. That 22RE got 16-18 MPG due to vehicle weight -- occassionally topped 21 MPG on long flat road trip. Would love to see the FJ 6 speed manual in a new 4Runner (and a Super Charger)! Or a Turbo diesel! I keep that '90 for 13 years - guess I'll do same with my '03.

 

[adoihcj]

OK so it is an official statement saying........absolutely nothing. "for now", "no plans" -- what did we expect to read?

Please don't buy a 4RUnner now because we are coming out with a V8 next year.....

Sorry Schmuck - we will never have another V8 4Runner - go buy a different brand and stop being interested in our cars.....

Please test drive our vehicle just sounds like a better marketing strategy - not to be rude, but if you work in marketing you should recognize this

The reason they include 2011 is because the current model is a 2010 - the next model is 2011.......

I think you are missing the point. Because they said 2011, that means the next model year will not have a V8 . This wasn't a conversation on what is and is not marketing. I just wanted to point out that because I work in marketing, I know how to determine if a Facebook page is legit - that's all.

 

[Goatroper]

I think you are missing the point. Because they said 2011, that means the next model year will not have a V8 . This wasn't a conversation on what is and is not marketing. I just wanted to point out that because I work in marketing, I know how to determine if a Facebook page is legit - that's all.

I would rather see a 6 or 7 speed transmission rather than worry about a V8 that is not likely to come back!

 

[Alex1911]

The GX460 is one fat pig of a truck. 5300 lbs! Your '03 V8 is around 4600 lbs. That's a big difference that impacts performance and mileage.

I know... The Lexus does get better MPG though, but at the cost of more expensive fuel. The GX460 is "geared" different, the torque seems to kick in at higher MPH. Off the line I was like "mines faster", punch it at 45mph and it was like "whoa". It may be marketed as a luxury off-road, that can tow, blah, blah... But, it isn't.

I'm always amazed at how fast my 4R is and I've never driven on with the VVTI. Yeah, I know it's a truck, but quickness rules! I'd love a 5.7l Tundra if I could get the damn thing in my garage.

The Lexus was so supple though

 

[M1911]

I'm always amazed at how fast my 4R is and I've never driven on with the VVTI. Yeah, I know it's a truck, but quickness rules!

I currently drive an '03 Limited 4x4 V8. IIRC, it has about 230 hp and 320 ft-lbs of torque. 0-60 is around 7.5 seconds. I typically get around 17 mpg combined. A bit worse in the city, a bit higher on the highway. It seems pretty damn quick to me, particularly right off the line.

My first car was a '78 Trans Am, with the high output 6.6l V8, 4-speed stick, and limited slip rear diff (and no, no stupid chicken decal on the hood). Now this was a fast car in its day. The V8 gave just around 230 hp and 320 ft-lbs of torque. 0-60 was mid-seven seconds. Porsche Turbos of the day did 0-60 in around 6 seconds, so 7.5 was fast. I got 11 mpg in the city and best on the highway was 17 mpg (downhill with a tailwind). It fell apart by 40,000 miles -- but I'm sure that being driven by an 18-year-old didn't have anything to do with that :driving:

My 4Runner is just as fast, just as powerful, a lot heavier, and gets better mileage. For an old fart like me, the improvement in vehicles of the last 30 years is just astounding.

 

[ckon]

For an old fart like me, the improvement in vehicles of the last 30 years is just astounding.

AMEN!!! :lmao:

 

[charlier180]

For an old fart like me, the improvement in vehicles of the last 30 years is just astounding.

Another old fart here. I am reminded about the improvement in vehicles every time I drive my restored 1980 VW Rabbit.
It has a 4 cylinder, 62 hp engine mated to a 4 speed manual tranny. For it's time it had some get up and go.
Now-a-days it has a hard time keeping up. That is one reason why it gets towed to Antique Car events.
Another is all the "distracted" drivers who are an even bigger danger to a older car whose parts are getting very hard to find.

Back on topic... You know I wonder how all the current generation 4Runner owners would like it if Toyota announced that only the 4 cylinder engine would be available in the next gen 4Runner? At some point in time Toyota could do that and cite the same reasons they are using for dropping the V8. (ie better mileage, less R&D & certification costs, etc.) Hmmmmmm.....

 

[Alex1911]

It is amazing, heck I remember when the 0-60 on trucks were in the double digits. The 0-60 on many of the affordable sports cars these days is amazing as well.

My first truck was an '87 Blazer and new it was a dog compared to my 4R @ 140k.

I wish I was getting 17mpg average... I get just under 16mpg.