The X-Runner concept, and the next generation Tacoma pickup, enjoy an extra 134 mm (5.3 in) of width and shall sit upon a wheelbase that is 141 mm (6.4 in) 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 1,892 mm (74.5 in), although the next generation will provide greater width to assist in accommodating wider payloads.
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| The concept's 4-door cab design enables wide-open access to the interior and its two fold-down rear seats. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
The larger cab shares an interior design theme common to current Toyota SUVs and trucks. The concept's 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-Runner's rear doors are latched on the inside and can only be released after the corresponding front door has been opened.
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| The interior design of the X-Runner is closer to a sports car than a typical pickup truck. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
The new concept's 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 concept's 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.