The roar of street trucks, those asphalt-devouring machines, once echoed across every road. These weren’t your average workhorses; they were lowered, performance-tuned pickups built for speed and style, captivating enthusiasts who lived for the thrill between traffic lights. While the automotive landscape has shifted towards rugged, off-road vehicles, Toyota is hinting at a possible resurgence of street truck culture with a striking concept: the X Runner Tacoma.
At the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Toyota unveiled a concept that veered sharply from the off-road frenzy, instead igniting a spark of nostalgia and excitement for street performance. This wasn’t just a random build; it was the X Runner Tacoma, a modern reimagining of a beloved nameplate, born from a collaborative brainstorming session between Toyota’s Engineering teams and the designers at Calty Design Studio.
Alt text: Aggressive Toyota Tacoma X-Runner concept in Speedway Blue, highlighting its low profile and performance-oriented design, a modern take on street trucks.
Adam Rabinowitz, chief designer at Calty Design Research, revealed the underlying curiosity driving the X Runner Tacoma project. “There were lots of street trucks in the early 2000s and they all faded,” Rabinowitz explained. “So on one hand, this was a curiosity check to see if there is any market for street trucks at all, or if the market has entirely shifted to what we see today—tough, rugged, lifted vehicles.” This concept serves as a vital market pulse check, gauging whether the appetite for street-focused trucks still exists amidst the current SUV and off-road dominance.
However, the X Runner Tacoma concept is more than just a market probe. Fueled by the overwhelming enthusiasm surrounding the launch of the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma, Toyota’s R&D and Design teams aimed to showcase the immense versatility of Toyota’s new TGNA-F product platform. This concept isn’t merely about revisiting the past; it’s about demonstrating future possibilities.
Sheldon Brown, chief engineer at Toyota Motor North America, emphasized the platform’s transformative capabilities. “On the heels of the Tacoma launch, we wanted to showcase the diverse possibilities of the new truck’s architecture,” Brown stated. “The TGNA-F platform allows us to efficiently build something this cool in a fraction of the development time it would normally take. A project like this is why you get into the automotive business.” The X Runner Tacoma stands as a testament to the TGNA-F platform’s agility, enabling rapid innovation and the creation of exciting, niche vehicles.
Alt text: Toyota Tacoma X-Runner side view, showcasing custom side exhaust and low-profile carbon fiber wheels, highlighting street truck performance modifications.
Under the hood, the X Runner Tacoma concept packs a serious punch. A modified i-FORCE 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine churns out a formidable 421 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Power is channeled to the rear wheels via a Tundra solid axle with a 4.30:1 final drive and an electronic locking differential, ensuring optimal power delivery. Adding to the aggressive persona is a custom side exhaust system, exiting just beneath the rocker panel, delivering a distinctive auditory signature. Notably, the engine modification showcased in the X Runner Tacoma is slated to become available next year for new Tundra models as part of a TRD Performance Package upgrade, hinting at future performance enhancements for Toyota’s truck lineup.
To handle the enhanced power and lowered stance, the X Runner Tacoma features significant chassis modifications. The overall track width has been widened by over 3 inches, and the frame has been reinforced to ensure structural rigidity. In terms of styling, the design team consciously retained the Tacoma’s core design language, characterized by interlocking shapes and fluid forms embodying its “chiseled liquid” DNA. The concept’s assertive front fascia is accentuated by Tacoma XB LED Projector headlights featuring unique “X-Runner” laser ablation lenses. Custom aero-fairings, complete with functional venting, adorn the front and sides, effectively cooling the massive 13.9-inch Tundra front brakes, providing enhanced heat dissipation during demanding street performance. A functional hood scoop is also integrated, channeling cool air into the engine bay, further optimizing performance. The rear design maintains a purposeful simplicity, punctuated by smoked taillights, contributing to the truck’s streamlined and aggressive street presence.
To achieve the quintessential street truck stance and further highlight the TGNA-F platform’s adaptability, the team incorporated a Tundra air-suspension system. This allows for the lowest possible ride height while maintaining load-carrying capability, a crucial aspect for a truck platform. The front suspension geometry was adapted using lengthened upper and lower arms to match the Tundra’s setup. The lower arms were specifically customized to accommodate the vehicle’s slammed profile. Similarly, the rear suspension received lengthened upper and lower arms to integrate seamlessly with the Tundra’s rear axle housing, axle shafts, and bearings, ensuring consistent width and strength across the front and rear. To sharpen the Tacoma’s already commendable on-road dynamics, stiffer springs were implemented, working in concert with custom-valved, 2.5-inch Bilstein® aluminum bodied shocks with remote reservoirs at each corner. This advanced suspension system is engineered to effectively translate all 421 horsepower into confident road grip. Finally, the wheel wells are filled with bespoke, one-off 21×9.5-inch carbon fiber wheels, crafted by Lacks Enterprises®, featuring forged aluminum centers and wrapped in Michelin 285/45R21 Sport Tires, completing the performance-oriented aesthetic.
Alt text: Toyota Tacoma X-Runner rear view, showcasing smoked taillights and widened stance, emphasizing the concept’s street-tuned and performance-oriented design.
The X Runner Tacoma concept is bathed in the iconic Speedway Blue, a subtle homage to the original X-Runner that debuted this distinctive hue at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show. A matte black finish on the hood, A-pillars, and roof draws inspiration from the TRD Pro style guide, while red accents strategically placed along the hood lines, scoop, and wheel hubs serve as visual cues to its high-performance street machine identity.
Inside the cabin, the X Runner Tacoma retains the familiar Tacoma feel while seamlessly integrating performance-oriented enhancements. Paddle shifters are added for a more engaging driving experience, and custom X-Runner accents throughout the interior reinforce its unique character.
Mike Tripp, group vice president of Toyota Marketing, encapsulates the essence of the concept: “There is a Tacoma for everyone, with eight grades in the 2024 Tacoma lineup,” Tripp noted. “This new X Runner Tacoma concept really shows that TRD is about performance, about going fast… It shows the range of the platform and what we could do if we took the Tacoma beyond off-road and everyday capabilities, slammed it, and gave it a little street cred.” The X Runner Tacoma isn’t just a concept; it’s a statement about the breadth of the Tacoma platform and Toyota’s commitment to performance across different automotive segments.
Toyota’s showcase at the Las Vegas Convention Center, from October 31st to November 3rd, 2023, featuring the X Runner Tacoma alongside other build concepts and production vehicles, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering thrilling performance across all terrains – whether on the road, track, or trail. The X Runner Tacoma concept serves as a powerful reminder that Toyota is not just about rugged capability; it’s also about tapping into the passion for street performance and reigniting the spirit of the sport truck.
It is important to note that the vehicles showcased are special project prototype vehicles, modified with parts and/or accessories not available from Toyota. These modifications may potentially void the vehicle’s warranty, negatively impact vehicle performance and safety, and may not be street legal.
