The all-new Tacoma Trailhunter is designed to be an overlanding rig you should purchase straight from dealerships
by Michael Gauthier
Could 18, 2023 at 20:00
by Michael Gauthier
Off-road centered vans are undeniably cool and customers can’t get sufficient of them. That helps to elucidate why the 2024 Toyota Tacoma is providing two completely different hardcore trims that can function reasonably priced halo autos.
Kicking issues off is the all-new Tacoma Trailhunter, which was previewed by an idea final 12 months and is billed as a “purpose-built overlanding rig obtainable proper off the seller lot.” It was collectively developed with ARB and can be obtainable completely in a Double Cab (Crew Cab) configuration with a 5’ or 6’ mattress.
With that fundamental primer out of the way in which, the Trailhunter seems phenomenal because it encompasses a rugged entrance finish with a muscular bumper. They’re joined by a heritage-inspired grille with an built-in LED gentle bar and bronze “TOYOTA” lettering.
Extra: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Is The Swiss Military Knife Of Pickups As It Provides Hybrid Energy, Handbook And 6′ Mattress
If these telltale cues weren’t sufficient, the Trailhunter is distinguished by a raised air consumption that climbs up the passenger aspect A-pillar. The mannequin additionally has RIGID LED fog lights, which might swap between yellow and white.
The journey prepared design continues additional again because the truck sports activities prolonged fender flares, rock rails, and a mattress utility bar with detachable MOLLE panels. Nevertheless, eyes will naturally be drawn to the 18-inch bronze wheels which might be wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires.
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That brings us to the rear finish, which is notable for that includes an ARB metal bumper and a high-clearance exhaust system. The mannequin additionally has a ton of lights across the mattress in addition to purple restoration factors and sizzling stamped metal skid plates. There’s additionally an built-in air compressor within the mattress, which is designed to permit house owners to air down their tires on the path after which simply fill them again as much as head dwelling.
As a part of the overlanding focus, house owners can get ARB mattress racks that assist further gear together with rooftop tents and canopies. Toyota additionally has an Related Accent Merchandise program with “over 100 equipment akin to off-road restoration gear, rack attachment brackets for storage gear, outside sporting tools carriers, and extra.”
A Luxurious Inside That Leaves The Path Behind
Should you like off-roading in consolation, look no additional because the Trailhunter comes properly outfitted with leather-based or SofTex seats (Toyota didn’t specify) that characteristic distinction stitching and piping in addition to heating and air flow up entrance. We are able to additionally see a perforated leather-based steering wheel, granite-like trim, and a JBL audio system with a detachable speaker.
They’re joined by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a head-up show. Drivers can even discover three auxiliary toggle switches on the sprint, that are pre-wired for equipment.
An Off-Street Centered Suspension
Reside Pictures: Michael Gauthier/CarScoops
When it’s time to hit the paths, you’ll be glad to know the truck is provided with a specifically developed Previous Man Emu suspension. It has been tuned to ship “optimum ranges of off-road management and cargo carrying functionality.”
Toyota didn’t go into many specifics, however mentioned the truck options bronze-colored cast aluminum higher management arms, a entrance stabilizer disconnect system, and “place delicate 2.5-inch cast monotube shocks with rear exterior piggyback model distant reservoirs.” Thanks to those and different modifications, the truck sits 2 inches (51 mm) greater in entrance and 1.5 inches (38 mm) greater out again.
The Tacoma TRD Professional Returns
Whereas the Trailhunter is sure to attract consideration, it’s not the one hardcore Tacoma. Fairly the other because the TRD Professional is again and extra aggressive than ever.
Whereas the 2 fashions are comparable, Toyota says the TRD Professional is a “go-fast” desert runner. That stands in distinction to the Trailhunter’s deal with overlanding.
Regardless of the completely different missions, the vans are comparable as each characteristic a Toyota-branded grille with an built-in LED gentle bar, prolonged fender flares, and a metal rear bumper with purple restoration hooks. Nevertheless, the TRD has some particular touches together with a two-tone roof, a cat-back exhaust system, and a singular hood with a efficiency air consumption. They’re joined by an aluminum entrance skid plate, RIGID LED white fog lights, and black 18-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires.
Reside Pictures: Michael Gauthier/CarScoops
The modifications prolong to the suspension because the TRD Professional has purple aluminum higher management arms that “optimize entrance geometry and cut back unsprung weight.” They’re joined by Fox inside bypass 2.5-inch guide modal Fast Change 3 shocks, which provide three ranges of adjustment. The truck additionally has FOX Inside Floating Piston bump stops, which assist to “knock the sting off among the gnarliest terrain.”
Just like the Trailhunter, the TRD Professional sits 2 inches (51 mm) greater within the entrance and 1.5 inches (38 mm) greater within the rear than the Tacoma SR5. The mannequin additionally encompasses a entrance stabilizer bar disconnect system.
A Acquainted Inside With Seats Worthy Of Iron Man
The inside echoes the Trailhunter as TRD Professional drivers will discover a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a head-up show. They’re joined by fake carbon fiber trim, auxiliary toggle switches, and heated / ventilated entrance seats with camouflage-inspired upholstery.
Nevertheless, these aren’t your typical chairs as they’re IsoDynamic Efficiency seats that promise to supply a “clean, confidence-inspiring trip.” They’re designed to soak up the jostling that off-road adventures entail and Toyota mentioned the “purpose of this patent-pending characteristic is to stabilize the motive force’s field of regard to enhance focus, consolation, and cut back fatigue whereas on rugged trails.”
So how do the seats accomplish this? With an “air-over-oil shock absorber system,” which dampens physique motion in addition to helps to stabilize your head and neck. It will likely be fascinating to see how nicely the seats work in follow, however the automaker famous the dampening impact might be adjusted utilizing controls on the seatback.
i-Drive Max Hybrid Powertrain Comes Normal, Delivers 326 HP
Whereas the Trailhunter and TRD Professional are designed to attraction to barely completely different customers, each are outfitted with an all-new i-Drive Max powertrain. It consists of a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a 1.87 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery, and an electrical motor that’s built-in into an eight-speed automated transmission. This setup offers the vans a mixed output of 326 hp (243 kW / 331 PS) and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) of torque.
4-wheel drive will presumably come normal and Toyota mentioned each vans will characteristic an digital locking rear differential.
Pricing stays the largest thriller, however the vans are nonetheless a methods off as they received’t arrive till the spring of 2024. That’s a number of months after the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor will arrive at dealerships with 405 hp (302 kW / 411 PS).