Toyota X-Runner Concept
Performance Picks Up for Toyotas Midsize Pickup
Toyota has quite deservedly earned a strong reputation over the years for building quality pickups, but theyve never been thought of as the makers of performance-oriented trucks; and thats an image Toyota is trying hard to change.
With its full-size Tundra, Toyota intends to be a contender in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Youll also find Toyota trucks battling it out among the domestics in Championship Off-Road Racing, where the Toyota team of Johnny Greaves and Jeff Kincaid has enjoyed numerous successes.
Furthering its performance image, Toyota recently invited me along with a group of auto journalists from across the country to check out the Tacoma X-Runner pickup concept first hand.
One glance made it clear that finally some of the strong Toyota truck-racing heritage is filtering down to street level. The X-Runner was carefully positioned beneath bright stage lighting in the ballroom of a posh hotel. My first thought was, "howd they get that thing in here?" My only conclusion is that David Copperfield must have had something to do with it.
Smoke and mirrors aside, the X-Runner is a great looking, midsize pickup that has the guts to back up its "bad boy" styling. More than just a Tacoma pickup on steroids, the X-Runner concept is a completely new vehicle. In fact, look for a civilized version - sans ground effects - to replace the current line of slightly smaller Tacoma pickups. This new Tacoma will enjoy a lengthened wheelbase and wider track, resulting in greater cab dimensions and better ride dynamics.
The X-Runner concept, and the next generation Tacoma pickup, enjoy an extra 5.3 inches of width and shall sit upon a wheelbase that is 6.4 inches longer than the current Tacoma - translating into more passenger space. The bed sizes of both the current and upcoming Tacoma pickups remain the same at 74.5 inches, although the next generation will provide greater width to assist in accommodating wider payloads.
The larger cab shares an interior design theme common to current Toyota SUVs and trucks. The concepts 4-door cab design enables wide-open access to the interior and its two fold-down rear seats. The two smaller rear doors open opposite to the front doors; a design element affectionately referred to as "suicide doors" on 60s era Lincolns and T-Birds. The X-Runners rear doors are latched on the inside and can only be released after the corresponding front door has been opened.
The new concepts interior was finished in two complementary shades of gray. The instrument cluster is contained within three large circular pods that meld nicely together, directly in the sightline of the driver. This arrangement conveys a sporty appearance, unusual for a pickup truck. Then again, the X-Runner concept is not your typical gravel hauling beast-of-burden.
The highly-supportive seats are covered in a durable fabric and feature substantial side bolstering. Most of the surface materials used in the concepts interior impart a sense of quality when touched. Remember, I said most of the materials. The formed-plastic panels that comprise most of the inner door surface of the front doors were too hard and shiny to be thought of as anything other than econo-car basic, but of course, the X-Runner is just a "one-off" vehicle at this time. There certainly remains much time to improve upon interior trim and finish issues before a production version is cranked out.
Regardless of "touch-feely" matters, its clear that Toyota began building performance into the X-Runner from the moment the pencil hit the paper, or more accurately the CAD program was initialized. They designed an exclusive "X-braced" reinforced frame that provides enhanced torsional rigidity over the current generation of Tacoma trucks. In the case of the X-Runner, the chassis sits an inch lower to the tarmac than the conventional Tacoma, giving it a much-improved center of gravity.
Combining this favorable center of gravity with 18-inch alloy wheels and 45-series V-rated performance tires should send the truck well on its way to handling nirvana. And just to ensure it gets there, Toyota has pulled additional performance hardware from its automotive top hat in the way of firmer springs, specially tuned Bilstein gas shocks positioned outboard of the frame rails, and large diameter front and rear stabilizer bars with firmer bushings.
Based on Toyotas selection of handling componentry, its fair to assume the X-Runners personality will be more "sports car" than "work truck," which is a significant departure from the utilitarian profile formerly applied to the Tacoma line of pickups. Toyota knew that a shift to a performance profile for the Tacoma would involve a little more muscle under the hood, and thats what Toyota gave it. The X-Runner benefits from the installation of a 240 horsepower V6 engine capable of a substantial 275 pounds-feet of torque. Linked to a close-ratio 6-speed manual shifter, Toyota expects a 0-60 mph time of seven seconds. If thats not what the speed doctor ordered, theres more medicine on tap in the way of a TRD-developed supercharging system that would boost the prescribed dose to a walloping 300-horsepower. Toyota expects this configuration to shave a full second off the run to 60-mph.
While "all go" with "no show" is better than the opposite, its only half the equation. In order to fulfill the "show" expectation Toyota sought inspiration from its Hino Styling Studio in Tokyo. Here the top designers paid close attention to details such as how the wheels and tires filled the wheel wells and how fluidly the full-surround ground-effects body kit integrated with each body panel of the concept vehicle. The installation of a hood scoop and fog lights finished-off the exterior modifications, transforming the Access-cab 4-door design into a real eye catcher, especially in its electric blue paint scheme.
At first glance I have to admit to mistaking the X-Runner for a Chevy SS pickup; probably due to the fact my test Chevy was painted a very similar color. But the X-Runner would offer more performance than the Chevy, as it would the all show, no go SSR.
If built, the X-Runner would truly make an impact in the midsize pickup market, but will such an impact be felt anytime soon, I asked Toyotas manager of public relations? In the purposely vague and often elusive style typical of automotive communications reps, he
answered, "Possibly." These guys are slicker at sidestepping than politicians, but what I read into "possibly" is that it will all depend on the publics response to the concept vehicle. If the X-Runner does go into production, and Ill bet it does, it wont be right away he says. Translation: maybe in a year or two.
I hope Toyota does find the wherewithal to put the X-Runner into production. Adding high performance to the number one Japanese brands excellent reputation for quality and dependability would be a winning proposition, literally. So cmon Toyota, shake-off some of that conservative "good guy" image and adopt a little "bad @$$" attitude in the way of the X-Runner - and live a little!