Toyota Tacoma X-Runner RTR V-8 Race Truck Headed to SEMA
Toyota typically grabs attention at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas with spectacular custom versions of its trucks. One of this year’s head turners is likely to be the Toyota Tacoma X-Runner RTR, which will feature the 5.7-liter V-8 from the full-size Tundra pickup stuffed under the hood of the midsize Tacoma.
RTR is short for "Ready to Race." The hero truck started life as a stock 2011 Tacoma X-Runner, the street performance version of Toyota's best-selling small truck.
The X-Runner's standard powertrain is a 236-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 with a six-speed manual transmission that can run zero to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds. The 381-horsepower eight-cylinder RTR should be considerably faster, especially in the hands of professional drag racer Antron Brown, whom Toyota has brought in to test the RTR’s prowess in a straight line.
We haven't seen the Tacoma RTR yet, but we're told it will sport plenty of Toyota Racing Development's performance parts and that the 5.7 is unmodified except for relocating the exhaust to fit in the Tacoma.
At a time when Ford and GM are getting ready to ax their small rigs in the U.S., project vehicles like the Tacoma RTR show that Toyota remains focused on midsize trucks. It reminds us of the 2002 Ford Ranger SVT Lightning Bolt. That’s certainly a good thing.
[Source: Toyota]
Comments
I don't know how this thing will get traction. If it hooks up it will run 0-60 In less than 5 seconds.
If Toyota realy wants to impress me they can base the next Tacoma off the far superior world Hilux and start selling a diesel version too .
GM could always come back with an LML in a Colorado?
Before Toyota thinks about this as an option how about fixing the 6 Speed tranny problems that 90 percent of the x-runner owners are having to date
ill have to agree with Dan Toyota can spend all this money but cant take care of their customers who again 90% of us are having a stupid throw out bearing issue
Awww come on.... Everyone knows Toyota are reliable and simply don't have any problems. You guys must have it in for Toyota and making up issues. Toyota's simple don't have issues of any kind. Toyota recently recognized this by recent announcements they will be closing dealer service departments down. The service departments that are staying open will only be changing oil!
Nothing new. Ford put the entire Lightning drivetrain in a Ranger and called it the Lightning Bolt. It was featured here.
http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/stories/lightningbolt/page1.html
I'm on my 2nd transmission. This POS 6 speed cant be shifted fast and you grind 2nd gear. Camero owners are having the same issue. Toyota needs to fix our Trans before they put a v8 in the x! Funny 1000's of x runner owners have taken their trucks to the dealerships and we all hear "this is the first time we've heard of a trans issue" REALLY??? My x runner will still out run the sema show v-8.. I wonder if they will put a fake v-8 in it like they did a few years ago with the non working s/c they had in the yellow x runner????? Toyotas getting weak! Its a shame the boys over seas wont fix the issues here in America.... XR-Underground.com "NTINHRI"
While everyone is truly entitled to their opinion...I must say that each of my fellow bloggers above also show their passion for performance and quality in their comments---even in sarcasm. While I understand the concerns...it looks like Toyota could have once been your top choice and has fallen short of your expectations. I don't think that Toyota is trying to impress anyone by submitting this project for SEMA, but is moreso trying to impress upon you the versatility and/or "possibilities" of what "could be" with their product. Over the years, Toyota has raised your expectations and set the bar for other manufacturers....but has never proclaimed to be perfect. Being number one is not an easy thing to achieve or maintain...as I'm sure everyone here knows. No one ever expected it....or expect the Camry to be #1 for the last 14 years or Lexus to be top Luxury vehicle over Mercedes in less than 20 years. The more "recent events" affecting Toyota over the last 12 months is what I would call "The Penalty of Leadership".
All leaders have been through it on the paths to greatness. Perhaps we can all be a part of the next great thing that this leader produces...
@Dre
What the hell are you talking about? Their is nothing wrong with Toyota.
The government WITCH HUNT has proven nothing but driver error and that Toyota has been politically correct in the spotlight of the EVIL media for fear of a backlash by the LEAGUE OF MORONS aka society that knows nothing except what they are being told even if its a LIE!
Toyota's shares are still above 70 bucks and they are still the premiere auto giant the world has ever known!
I had my 2005 X-Runner producing 325hp at the crank and I put in Calvert traction bars, a prototype Watts Link and helper spring to stiffen the rear as well as a .98 inch sway bar in the rear with BFG R1's at 285/30 on ASA 18x9.5 wheels and she hooked up well on the road courses.
I could do the kink at Road America at 110 mph and turn 7 was flat out in 3rd gear!
So I am wondering how they will maintain weight balance with a heavier motor up front?
I think they may place a fuel cell smack dead center rear and that should help with weight distribution, other than that I will await their results.
Remember folks this pickup can hit the skid pad with 0.96g of lateral grip STOCK! No other pickup from the factory could even come close.
@Dre from HQ - I agree with you.
@ Oxi - tame it down and your comments might be better recieved.
It is interesting to note that other manufactures have incidences of unintended excelleration. Some almost as high as Toyota.
Here are some interesting links regarding NHSTA and Toyota.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/confused-nhtsa-revises-toyota-body-count/
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/unintended-acceleration-in-toyotas-the-ghost-in-the-data/
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/nhtsa-confirms-that-toyota-black-box-data-points-to-driver-error-again/
Oxi, how did you do 110 in your truck with the added drag of your tinfoil hat?
BWAHAHAHAAA!!!! Nice one Squirrel.
Toyota admits black box bug can give false speed readings
"The software bug in the readers came to light during the manufacturer's investigation into instances of unintended acceleration. Even so, Uchiyamda says that there's no reason to doubt the rest of the readings from the EDRs."
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/14/report-toyota-admits-black-box-bug-can-give-false-speed-reading/
So in other words: "Trust us. We sort of know what we're doing. Maybe." :confused:
First they say they have no glitch, now they are saying that the black boxes have a glitch. The same black boxes they claim are saying that these people had the accelerator pedal pressed, accusing it as being drivers fault...but if now they are saying that the black boxes have a glitch, essentially their claims that it's the drivers fault, is a glitch too. Hence, this has as much of a cover up as Tammy Fe Bakers make-up, bless her soul...
So first they say they have no glitch, now they are saying that the black boxes have a glitch. The same black boxes they claim are saying that these people had the accelerator pedal pressed, accusing it as being drivers fault...but if now they are saying that the black boxes have a glitch, essentially their claims that it's the drivers fault, is a glitch too. Hence, this has as much of a cover up as Tammy Fe Bakers make-up, bless her soul...
No other pickup from the factory could even come close.
Posted by: oxi
I love the Tacoma! Full size trucks should be banned from off roading! Offroading is for midsize trucks only.
@Squirrel
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f36/oxi3/GetAttachment2.jpg
That pic above is just before the kink. I am already at 110 mph in that pic and I maintain that into the right hand turn.
I have been on road courses with my pickup at high speed, I am not a poser like most. I have been on Road America with SCCA and NASA and ran with Midwest Council at Blackhawk Farms Raceway and Autobahn road courses including the Milwaukee Mile 10 turn road course.
I speak from experiance bud!
RTR? I liked it when it was a MUSTANG.
@Tacoman
I agree! Fullsize trucks should pull trailers and haul heavy loads or as most are used as the family hauler and that's about it.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f36/oxi3/00000013.jpg
NHSTA data is flawed. You can file a complaint without having to verify who you are.
This link has a table showing alleged unintended accelleration complaints from the other manufacturers. (second link in my previous post)
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/unintended-acceleration-in-toyotas-the-ghost-in-the-data/
The incidence of alleged unintended accelleration in Toyota vehicles is comparable to Volvo at approximately 12 per 100,000.
This phenomenon occurs in the domestics at a rate of 2 - 6 incidences per 100,000.
The automotive industry average is around 6 per 100,000.
These are just complaints, not actual proven incidences of unintended accelleration.
You guys may make fun of Oxi's paranoia but why would Toyota be singled out when it is obviously an industry wide phenomenon!
I think that crappy drivers are blaming the vehicles for their own stupidity.
As the saying goes - a poor craftsman blames his tools.
Ok.... where do i start....
1st off, this is one hell of a publicity stunt...The company known for safety, is going to put a 380hp V8, in midsize truck...Ha
2nd. What about your current X-runner owners? We have been screwed over for almost 5 years now, plagued with transmission issues, that you geniuses can't find a way to fix...So instead of fixing it, lets spend millions of dollars on making some show car...instead of putting the money into R+D, so maybe us current XR owners wont turn our backs on Toyota, once it comes time for a new ride...The lack of support for the XR's and any other RA-60 equipped Toyota, makes me never want to buy a Toyota again. *sdxrunner619 XRU*
That would be one fast Tacoma. If the traction is right for it imagine it with Toyota's 5.7L Supercharger.
@The Stir Fry
I had problems with my XR. The syncros into 3rd and 5th gear would grind a bit. I got mine replaced under warrenty, Toyota took care of me and they knew I was out racing it.
Did I cry like a baby like today's "hand me outs" society? I worked with the stealership and proved I had these symptoms a few years earlier and they listened.
I traded in my XR earlier this year for a 2010 Tacoma.
@Sean
Reading is hard.
This is what Toyota said:
"The software bug in the *readers* came to light during the manufacturer's investigation into instances of unintended acceleration."
The bug was in the "readers". Now, how did you comprehend this simple sentence?
"First they say they have no glitch, now they are saying that the black boxes have a glitch."
No, they are saying there is a glitch in the reader, not the black boxes. In fact, it was mentioned 3 times in the article that you posted that it was a problem with the readers.
Not a big toyota guy but this sounds like a very nice idea. I would like to see toyota take a crack at American style muscle trucks next up I wanna see toyota try like a camry r/t or something like that w/ a v8 rwd car
@ Brian - there always has been a portion of US society with an anti-foreign sentiment. 9/11 has made that sentiment worse. Tough economic times makes it worse as well.
There is a growing protectionistic mindset in the USA.
It is dangerous for trade, for growth, and even world stability.
It makes me wonder if this protectionistic mindset is the underlying reason for Toyota's witch hunt.
Like I posted earlier - the industry complaint level for unintended accelleration is 6 per 100,000.
Toyota is 12 per 100,000.
These are complaints - not actually proven incidences.
Politicians are lazy and like to grandstand for political gain.
Unfortunately, the popular media has a tendancy to think in 10 second sound bites.
They go for sensationalism. That sells newspapers, and airtime.
The truth becomes secondary and unneccessary.
The comments to this entry are closed.