CAR WARRIORS: 2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TRD PRO

Monday, September 1, 2014

2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TRD PRO

Get ready to go where even roads fear to tread with the adrenaline-pumping TRD Pro Series from Toyota. Already favorites among serious off-roaders, the 2015 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner will get even more capable with these new, aggressive off-road packages designed by the experts at Toyota Racing Development (TRD).

The TRD Pro Series arises from Toyota’s storied off-road racing heritage, with numerous victories in the grueling Baja 500 and 1000 endurance races. Born from this experience in the desert, Toyota’s terrain-conquering vehicles will help serious off-roaders go places they never dreamed possible.

Serious Specs for Serious Off-Roaders

The new factory-installed TRD Pro Series is aimed squarely at extreme off-roading enthusiasts who push their trucks and SUVs to the limit.

Available on 4X4 models of Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner, all TRD Pro Series vehicles will be equipped with:

TRD Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs

TRD-tuned front springs

TRD front skid plate

Unique front grille with “TOYOTA” badging (pays tribute to early iconic Toyota models)

TRD floor mats

TRD shift knobs

Black wheels

A hot new color, Inferno, is joined by Black and Super White, cool classics for off-road rigs.

Rock Star 4Runner

Adding to its rock-crawling prowess, 4Runner TRD PRO will be exclusively equipped with:

1.5” lift for the front of the vehicle

1” of additional wheel travel

All-new 17-inch TRD all-black alloy wheels

Black TRD Pro badges

Black front and rear lower bumper accents

Street Cred On and Off-Road .A Face Only a “Mudder” Could Love

The basic recipe is the same for all three Toyota models. New, longer Eibach springs give an increased ride height and suspension travel, while Bilstein shocks keep the ride tolerable both on and off pavement. A new skidplate protects the engine, black wheels dress up the exterior, a special retro Toyota badge adorns the grille, and TRD Pro-specific floor mats and shift knobs outfit the cabin. The three color choices are black, super white, and inferno.

The current Toyota 4Runner, refreshed for 2014, is no looker. But we gotta admit that, on the new 2015 4Runner TRD Pro, the sheer ballsiness kind of works, especially for the off-road crowd. The head- and taillamps have been darkened, and the gaping grille is rendered in matte black, with FJ40-inspired “TOYOTA” lettering and a matching lower bumper insert. The whole front end has been raised by an inch, showing off its broad, quarter-inch-thick silver skid plate as if to dare you to punch it in the chin. Don’t. It’s the kind of truck that might sock you back.

The TRD Pro trucks were created with a particular focus on desert running, and the 4Runner is right at home charging through sandy river washes and bounding across the desert landscape. During our time behind the wheel, we find grip to turn and stop when the ground beneath looks like quicksand, and when we catch air, there’s no crash landing when we return to Earth.

We’re hardly surprised, since the 4Runner “Trail” grade on which the TRD Pro model is based is pretty rugged already, with a standard locking rear differential, crawl control, and a sophisticated multiterrain select system. But the TRD Pro’s lifted front suspension, red Eibach springs, and higher-capacity Bilstein shocks allow an additional inch of wheel travel at all four corners that make this kind of driving a blast, with a ride that gets smoother the faster you go (thank you, softer-than-stock Bilsteins). Even the preproduction models we drove felt rock solid, like they could take this kind of thrashing all day long and not leave you stranded. Clearly, the TRD folks have been playing in the world’s sandboxes for a while.

TRD did not touch the 4Runner’s standard 270-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 and five-speed automatic, which is our only real complaint. More power could allow us to kick out the rear end a bit more easily, especially in two-wheel-drive mode. At least the transmission features a manual shift mode, making it easy to find a lower gear to keep the engine closer to its 4400-rpm torque peak, where you’ll find 278 lb-ft of twist. The V-6 is rather gruff at those higher revs, but look at the truck—some gruffness should be expected.

In addition to being the most family-friendly of the TRD Pro models, the 4Runner is the most comfortable. The interior comes kitted with black seats, red stitching, Entune audio, as well as a TRD shift knob and floor mats. Otherwise, it’s like every other 4Runner inside: busily styled but ergonomically sound and well equipped.

The TRD Pro’s on-road ride is remarkably smooth, and there’s but the faintest hum from the knobby tires. The hydraulic power steering is quick (2.7 turns lock-to-lock) and accurate, even offering a semblance of tactility. Body roll, squat, and dive are more in evidence due to the squishy suspension, but such is the price to pay for the high-speed off-road capability for which the TRD Pro was purpose-built.

Only 3400 examples of the 4Runner TRD Pro will be made in the 2015 model year, ensuring that it will be a pretty hot commodity for the off-road-enthusiast set. There are few truly off-road-worthy SUV options these days, now that old rivals like the Nissan Pathfinder have crossed into crossoverdom and the 4Runner-based FJ Cruiser is soon to climb its last rock. Pricing has yet to be announced, but we expect the TRD Pro 4Runner to come in somewhere around $40,000 The TRD Pro Series will start getting down and dirty in the fall of 2014.

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KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Monday, September 1, 2014

2015 TOYOTA 4RUNNER TRD PRO

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