Inexpensive coupes and rear-wheel drive sports activities vehicles was vastly common however appear to have largely disappeared from the market lately. However this month we grew to become longing for a comeback. First, Honda confirmed us a brand new Prelude idea and now Toyota has dropped a giant trace that it’s about to resurrect the Tacoma X-Runner.

The unique X-Runner was bought between 2005 and 2014 and went into battle with the likes of Dodge Ram SRT-10, the place it tried to show that vehicles might be credible efficiency vehicles, and never simply when examined in a straight line. The X-Runner might do corners, too.

At this fall’s SEMA efficiency present Toyota is displaying off an X-Runner model of the all-new 2024 Tacoma, and although it’s formally only a idea, we will’t think about it’ll preserve that pretence up for much longer. Let’s hope not anyway, as a result of a quick, enjoyable two-wheel drive truck that appears this good is certain to be a gross sales hit.

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In contrast with the inventory Tacoma, the idea will get a 3-inch (76 mm) wider observe, a strengthened body and varied mechanical components from its Tundra large brother, together with air suspension, 13.9-inch (353 mm) entrance brakes and a rear axle with a 4.30:1 last drive and electronically managed locking operate. Quite a few suspension components, just like the arms, had been modified to work with the Tundra parts and the 21-inch carbon fiber wheels are managed by Bilstein shocks with distant reservoirs.

Issues get even higher underneath the hood, until you’re a Greenpeace activist, as a result of rather than the inventory Tacoma’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and also-four-cylinder hybrid, probably the most highly effective of which makes 326 hp (331 PS), is a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 making a ton extra ponies. Lifted from the Tundra, it’s uprated from 389 hp (394 PS) to 421 hp (427 PS) whereas sustaining the identical 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) torque output, and even when this truck doesn’t make manufacturing, the engine will likely be out there as a TRD Efficiency Bundle improve on the Tundra quickly.

After which there’s that imply visible makeover. The Speedway Blue paint is a nod to the colour worn by the unique X-Runner from the 2004 Chicago Auto Present, however the brand new truck appears method harder with its black hood and roof, pink particulars, angular entrance bumper and side-exit exhaust. Do you suppose there’s nonetheless a marketplace for this sort of sport truck and will Toyota put this one into manufacturing?