A redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma bowed earlier this yr solely with turbo-4 powertrains, however an idea unveiled at this week’s 2023 SEMA present at the very least teases the potential of a twin-turbocharged V-6 making its method beneath the mid-size truck’s hood.

The Tacoma X-Runner idea is a contemporary tackle the traditional avenue truck system, in that it is lowered, quick, and doubtless subsequent to ineffective when heading off-road due. It additionally options rear-wheel drive.

In keeping with Adam Rabinowitz, the chief designer at Toyota’s Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Calty Design Analysis, one of many causes for growing the idea was to gauge curiosity in a possible manufacturing model. One other was to point out the flexibleness of the Tacoma’s TNGA-F body-on-frame platform.

That platform is shared with the Tundra pickup, amongst different automobiles, and this enabled Toyota engineers to simply set up a number of the full-size truck’s options within the Tacoma X-Runner idea.

Toyota Tacoma X-Runner idea

A key merchandise carried over from the Tundra is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. It contains a 421-hp ranking within the Tacoma X-Runner idea, or 32 hp greater than what the engine delivers within the Tundra. That horsepower bump is courtesy of a TRD Efficiency Bundle which was additionally introduced on the SEMA present and set to be made accessible to Tundra patrons subsequent yr.

Additionally borrowed from the Tundra is a strong axle with 4.30:1 last drive and an digital locking differential to separate the drive torque between the rear wheels. The Tundra’s 13.9-inch entrance brake rotors are additionally used on the idea.

For that correct avenue truck stance, the engineers put in an air suspension system borrowed from the Tundra. This required modifying the Tacoma’s suspension arms to match the Tundra’s suspension geometry. Finishing the chassis are a set of two.5-inch Bilstein aluminum bodied shocks with distant reservoirs at every nook, and 21-inch wheels with 285/45-size Michelin efficiency rubber. The wheels are a hybrid design combining an aluminum hub with carbon-fiber spokes.

Inside, the modifications are restricted to some sporty touches like a 12 o’clock mark on the steering wheel, body-hugging seats, and paddle shifters for the Tacoma’s 8-speed automated.