The redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma, which debuted earlier this year with turbo-4 engines, has just been given a thrilling twist at the 2023 SEMA show with the unveiling of the Tacoma X-Runner concept. This high-performance street truck hints at the exciting possibility of a twin-turbo V-6 under the hood.
The Tacoma X-Runner concept reinvents the classic street truck with a lowered stance, rear-wheel drive, and a focus on speed rather than off-road capability. Its design is a nod to traditional street trucks, emphasizing style and performance over rugged utility.
According to Adam Rabinowitz, Chief Designer at Toyota’s Calty Design Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the concept serves two main purposes: to gauge interest in a potential production model and to showcase the versatility of the Tacoma’s TNGA-F body-on-frame platform. This platform, shared with the Tundra pickup, allowed engineers to incorporate several full-size truck features into the X-Runner concept.
One standout feature is the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine, producing 421 hp—32 hp more than its Tundra counterpart—thanks to a TRD Performance Package. This package, also announced at SEMA, will soon be available for Tundra buyers.
The Tacoma X-Runner also borrows from the Tundra with a solid axle featuring a 4.30:1 final-drive ratio and an electronic locking differential to distribute power to the rear wheels. It also sports the Tundra’s 13.9-inch front brake rotors.
To achieve that iconic street truck look, engineers equipped the X-Runner with an air suspension system, modified to align with the Tundra’s suspension geometry. The setup includes 2.5-inch Bilstein aluminum-bodied shocks with remote reservoirs, 21-inch wheels with 285/45 Michelin performance tires, and a unique hybrid wheel design that combines aluminum hubs with carbon-fiber spokes.
Inside, the Tacoma X-Runner features sporty enhancements like a 12 o’clock mark on the steering wheel, body-hugging seats, and paddle shifters for the 8-speed automatic transmission, adding a touch of racing flair to the refined interior.