Tag Archives: engineers

JLR to recruit 250 electrical technicians in Range Rover and EV push

JLR is recruiting 250 electrical engineers to work on a bunch of recent EVs arriving by 2030, beginning with the electric Range Rover later this yr. 

These new positions be part of an already introduced new 300 technician roles, all funded by JLR’s £15bn Reimagine technique fund, created to transition the agency into the electrical period.

Based throughout its Gaydon Engineering Centre and Whitley Future Energy Lab, 40 of the roles will give attention to {the electrical} structure and battery applied sciences which are pivotal to those next-generation EVs.

This contains engaged on superior power storage techniques, battery cell design, cell stack assemblies and software program techniques.

This space specifically will futureproof the corporate, mentioned cell design supervisor Freddy Gunnarsson, providing house owners “unique driving and charging experiences expected of modern luxury vehicles”.

“This is an exciting opportunity for battery chemistry experts to help define the next generation of electrical powertrains,” he added.

The remaining new positions cowl propulsion, the mixing of high-voltage structure, electrical system element design and the event of fast-charging tech.

“The realisation of our Reimagine technique relies on our funding in folks and expertise,” mentioned Thomas Müller, government director of product engineering.

“As we proceed to spend money on our services, we are actually searching for very proficient folks to assist us develop developments in propulsion expertise that can underpin our next-generation trendy luxurious automobiles.” 

These roles be part of 300 already introduced roles, 100 of which shall be upkeep technicians taking care of 700 robots at JLR’s new £130 million automated physique manufacturing facility in Solihull. 

The new physique store will improve Range Rover and Range Rover Sport manufacturing by 30%.

These 100 technicians may also be educated to work on a brand new £70m physique manufacturing system that shall be used to assist construct the brand new electrical Range Rover.

Future-looking would be the focus of the opposite 200 new recruits – a mixture of technicians and take a look at engineers. Based on the Gaydon engineering centre and Whitley powertrain facility, they are going to work on testing and growing next-generation EVs.

Jag gt rendering 2023web 1

Watch This Mustang Sketchily Ratchet-Strap Tow a Motorcycle

I’ve identified numerous yard engineers in my day. I’ll even be one myself.

But these wrenches of fortune all come extremely beneficial however all appear to additionally chuckle within the face of hazard—Ha ha ha ha. That’s to not say they don’t seem to be good at what they do.

There is, nonetheless, a degree of redneck engineering that makes each sketchy DIY job be put to disgrace and, people, that is a kind of instances. 

What we have now right here is somebody that want to maneuver their motorbike. But they do not have a motorbike trailer. Likewise, they do not have a truck to both load a motorcycle into or connect a U-Haul trailer to. All they’ve is a modified Ford Mustang, a ratchet strap, and a few hopes and desires. Madre de Dios. 

Take a glance.

Listen, I do not assume I’ve to inform you that you simply should not do that at house. But I’m fascinated by how they made it work. Well, seemingly work. We do not know in the event that they made it to their last vacation spot or brought about somebody to fulfill their “Final Destination 2” or whichever one was with the logging truck that brought about a lot millennial PTSD. 

From what I can see, although, it is fairly effectively locked in and is not shifting all that a lot. For one thing with stretch—as is the case with a ratchet strap—I’m impressed. Horrified, positive, but additionally impressed. 

They additionally managed to get the entrance tire up off the pavement, which might’ve completely brought about a ton of points had it been touching. I don’t know how they did this, however like, I’m surprised at how good this appears to work.

Again, do not do that at house. Trailers aren’t that costly and a pal to drive your automotive when you experience a motorcycle someplace is cheaper than inflicting the calamitous accident awaiting this setup will likely be.

But wow, I am unable to imagine this labored…

Everything To Know About Jaguar’s XK6 Inline-6 Engine

Sir William Lyons and his brainiac engineers began conceiving the all-new XK engine amid fire-watching duties throughout WWII. The firm had a operating four-cylinder prototype after the struggle, and it had the bottom elements of what would finally evolve into the Jaguar XK engine: Dual overhead camshafts, two valves per cylinder, hemispherical combustion chambers, and polished cam covers.

Moreover, the XK inline-six has two units of three cylinders with wider spacing within the center to enhance the coolant movement. Each cylinder has a forged aluminum piston with twin compression rings, a single oil ring, and a full-floating wrist-pin design to attenuate friction. Each piston has a dome on prime to ship an 8.0:1 compression ratio in early fashions of the XK 120.

Sealing the deal are shiny aluminum parts like a forged aluminum head, entrance timing cowl, cam covers, and oil pan. The resolution to make use of an aluminum head saved 70 kilos, however the XK’s cast-iron engine block and transmission casing meant your complete powertrain tipped the scales at about 700 kilos.

Ford to reignite electrical automobile demand with inexpensive EV platform

A secret workforce of Ford engineers has been working for 2 years on a brand new platform for inexpensive electric cars, firm CEO Jim Farley has revealed.

Speaking as the corporate launched its fourth-quarter monetary outcomes for 2023, Farley mentioned the corporate is “adjusting our capital [investment], switching more focus onto smaller EV products”.

He added: “This is vital as a result of we made a wager in silence two years in the past. We developed a super-talented skunkworks workforce to create a low-cost EV platform.

“It was a small group, small workforce, a number of the finest EV engineers on the earth, and it was separate from the Ford mothership. It was a start-up.

“And they’ve developed a flexible platform that will not only deploy to several types of vehicles but will be a large installed base for software and services that we’re now seeing at [Ford] Pro.” 

Ford Pro is the corporate’s stand-alone industrial car division, liable for fashions such because the Transit and F-150.

Ford F150 Lightning front tracking

Investment in higher-volume, lower-cost electrical automobiles – doubtless destined to function oblique successors to the Fiesta and Focus – is available in response to Ford’s discovering that almost all patrons are unwilling to pay over the chances to go electrical.

Farley added that the supply of low-cost credit score pre-Covid and the pent-up demand for automobiles amid the semiconductor chip disaster, in addition to the speedy rise in early adopters of EVs, “gave us too optimistic a demand signal”. 

This drove a “temporary spike in supply” and Ford struggled to seek out patrons for the automobiles it had constructed because it realised that – after the early EV adopters had been on board – mainstream patrons weren’t ready to pay a premium to go electrical.

“As the Covid shock retreated, we learned that as you scale EVs to 5000-7000 units a month and you move into the [majority of customers], they are not willing to pay a significant premium for EVs,” mentioned Farley.

10 Fun Facts About Tesla EVs

Founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, Tesla hit the highlight when Elon Musk invested in 2004 and assumed the function of chairman a 12 months later, ultimately turning into the CEO in 2008. From there, the design of their automobiles and, due to this fact, their gross sales, skyrocketed, positioning Tesla Motors not only as the leading manufacturer of EVs but also as the global benchmark, compelling different automakers to transition to electrical and compete with them.

Nowadays, Tesla Motors stands on the pinnacle of the electrical car world because of the standard of its product and its relentless pursuit of discovering the very best resolution to each drawback it’d encounter. This has made it doable to drive a car not solely impartial of gasoline but additionally outfitted with the most recent technological developments, all the time protecting the clear purpose of conserving the setting in thoughts.

Even although Tesla vehicles have been initially thought of uncommon and unattainable, the corporate has steadily expanded manufacturing, launched new fashions, and made them extra accessible to the general public. Its dedication to progressing towards the longer term distinguishes it from many different automotive corporations solely involved with sustaining the established order. Throughout this journey of creating and perfecting its vehicles, there are some intriguing quirks worth highlighting. That’s why listed below are 10 attention-grabbing and amusing info about Tesla EVs you in all probability didn’t know.

In order to provide the newest and correct info doable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Tesla Motors and Car and Driver.

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1 The Tesla Model S Has A Hidden James Bond Mode

2021 Tesla Model S
Tesla

Tesla’s vehicles stand out as a few of the most thrilling and charming machines on the planet. They boast an array of options and applied sciences that set them aside from their rivals. Tesla house owners, particularly, can vouch for this and ensure that there are some remarkable Easter Eggs in their vehicles that make the expertise that rather more enjoyable and entertaining.

Witness The Authentic 007 Experience

The CEO of Tesla remodeled his fondness for James Bond movies into an Easter egg. Owners of the Model S or Model X can press and maintain the “T” button to entry the technician log-in display and, by typing in “007”, they’re going to remodel the automotive displayed on the infotainment heart into the Lotus Esprit S1, the automotive featured within the 1977 James Bond movie “The Spy Who Loved Me.” For these unfamiliar with the film, the automotive may convert right into a submarine, that is the explanation why the experience top on the show will seem as “depth”. So, as an alternative of “inches,” you may learn “leagues.” It’s a fairly humorous and random characteristic!

2 The Tesla Model S Became The Best Safety-rated Car Ever Tested

White 2017 Tesla Model S
Tesla

In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) carried out impartial testing and awarded the Tesla Model S, not just an overall 5-star safety rating but it managed to achieve the same rating in every subcategory (with out exceptions). Ultimately, the Tesla Model S set a brand new report, turning into the primary car to attain a 5-star consequence for the bottom chance of damage to occupants, bearing in mind the likelihood of damage from entrance, aspect, rear, and rollover accidents. Despite being a sedan, it surpassed the protection scores of all SUVs and minivans.

Safety Test Results

Overall Frontal

5/5

Overall Side

5/5

Overall Rear

5/5

Overall Rollover

5/5

(Data sourced from NHTSA)

It Caused The Testing Equipment To Break

Achieving the very best doable rating is already an unbelievable feat, particularly for a sedan, a automotive class that does not usually safe such prime rankings. Even extra spectacular is the truth that, in accordance with the automaker, the Tesla Model S broke the testing tools utilized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for roof crush evaluations, a incontrovertible fact that states the corporate’s dedication to passenger security and the numerous success they managed to attain.

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Tesla vs Toyota: The Main Difference Between Their Batteries

Toyota often is the king of HEVs, nevertheless it’s not superior to Tesla when it come to BEVs, and battery tech performs a pivotal function within the latter’s success.

3 The Model Y Is The First All-electric World’s Best-Selling Car

2024 Tesla Model Y in action on the road
Tesla

For the primary time in historical past, an all-electric vehicle, the Model Y, has become the world’s best-selling car. By promoting 267,200 items globally, the Tesla Model Y has outperformed Toyota’s RAV4 (211,000) and Corolla (256,400) fashions, securing the highest spot in international gross sales rankings for the primary quarter of 2023. This achievement is especially noteworthy contemplating that the beginning worth for the 2023 Model Y is $47,490, considerably increased than the 2023 Corolla ($21,700) and RAV4 ($32,575). This automotive proves that Tesla has actually outdone itself, leaving no doubts that it is price each penny.

World’s Best-selling Cars 1Q 2023

Place

Car

Sales

1

Tesla Model Y

267,200 items

2

Toyota Corolla

256,400 items

3

Toyota Hilux

214,700 items

4

Toyota RAV4

211,000 items

5

Toyota Camry

166,200 items

(Data sourced from every respective automaker)

It Smashed The Sales Record In Denmark

In addition, the Tesla Model Y has set a new record in Denmark for the highest number of sales in a single 12 months. This accomplishment is very exceptional, provided that it was achieved in October of this 12 months, with solely two months left within the 12 months.

4 Tesla Aimed For A “S-E-X-Y” Model Lineup

Tesla had already named their first mass-produced automotive, Model S, which stands for sedan. After that got here their second automotive, Model X, which stands for crossover. Being confronted with this case, Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, recognized for being liable to standing out from the gang, made it his purpose to create a lineup of 4 fashions at Tesla that, when mixed, would spell the word “SEXY”. This would contain utilizing the final letters of the Model S, the Model E, the Model X, and the Model Y, in that exact sequence.

Ford Motors Did Not Allow It

However, the Model E ended up being named the Model 3, as their third technology automotive, after Ford rejected the idea of allowing Tesla to have the name, placing an finish to Musk’s somewhat humorous dream. Despite this, the lineup does not fare too badly because it finally fulfills its goal, making Elon Musk profitable in his quest.

Tesla’s S-3-X-Y Lineup

Model S

Model 3

Model X

Model Y

Starting worth

$74,990

$38,990

$79,990

$48,990

Acceleration (0-60 mph)

3.1 seconds

5.8 seconds

3.8 seconds

4.8 seconds

Top pace

149 mph

140 mph

155 mph

135 mph

Range

405 miles

272 miles

348 miles

330 miles

Drivetrain

AWD

RWD

AWD

AWD

(Data sourced from Tesla)

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5 The Tesla Model S Adjusts Its Suspension Height Based On The Location

White 2017 Tesla Model S
Tesla

The 6.0 software program is extra proof that over-the-air updates aren’t only for fixing bugs but additionally for including options. In the case of Teslas, as a person, you can even receive them without even having to visit a dealer. Alongside varied options comparable to traffic-based navigation that makes use of real-time information from each visitors sensors and different Tesla drivers to offer extra correct journey instances, the location-based air suspension setting makes its look.

How does this work? Essentially, when the motive force raises the Model S, the automotive shops the situation and remembers whenever you want extra floor clearance. Then, the automotive lifts itself to that stage the subsequent time you attain that location. This is definitely very helpful and useful for individuals who often drive on steep driveways or journey on gravel roads.

6 Record-breaking Performance By The Model S At Nürburgring

Tesla Model S Plaid
Tesla 

Tesla’s Model S Plaid made a return to the world-famous Nürburgring racecourse in Germany earlier this 12 months, setting a new record for the best lap time for a production EV. The Tesla machine accomplished the 12.9-mile lap in just 7 minutes and 25.231 seconds.

Outperformed Its Own Previous Milestone

This new report beats Tesla’s personal earlier greatest time of seven minutes and 30.909 seconds set in 2021. Although the 2021 lap time was measured on a 12.8-mile model of the Nürburgring observe, Tesla had additionally established an official 12.9-mile report for 7 minutes and 35.579 seconds on the identical day. In both case, Tesla now boasts two authenticated Model S information, outpacing Porsche’s 2019 report with the all-electric Taycan Turbo S set at about 7 minutes and 42 seconds.

What’s new with the Model S Plaid this time round? Well, that is the addition of the long-awaited $20,000-Track Pack, a system that upgrades the automotive’s parts and software program, permitting it to boost its efficiency (fairly a bit).

Unfortunately, This Record Has Already Been Shattered

Sadly, that report did not final. Not lengthy after Tesla set this report, in June of this 12 months, the Rimac Nevera, with Croatian driver Martin Kodric on the wheel, broke this report held by the Model S. The Croatian carmaker lately unveiled that the electrical hypercar has established a brand new manufacturing electrical automotive lap report on the famend racetrack, clocking a blistering lap time of seven minutes and 5.298 seconds, pushing the Tesla into second place.

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7 Only Six Parts Need Regular Replacement

2024 Tesla Model Y parked in a forest
Tesla

As is extensively recognized by now, Teslas are automobiles of very prime quality, so it is unusual to listen to about them breaking down or requiring common upkeep. This in itself is spectacular, nevertheless it’s much more notable to comprehend that only six parts need to be replaced in their structure on a regular basis: the 4 wheels and the 2 wiper blades. Despite this, service technicians also occasionally check the level of the battery and motor coolant, simply to make certain.

The Other Components Have A Longer Lifespan

The brake pads, for instance, do not put on out as shortly since many of the stopping energy comes from regenerative braking (changing the electrical motor right into a generator to recharge the battery), in order that they have a ridiculously lengthy lifespan. Moreover, with out valves, camshafts, connecting rods, a crankshaft, gears, clutches, or any of the opposite complexities present in a conventional automotive with an engine and transmission, a battery-electric automotive requires minimal service, which clearly raises issues amongst automotive mechanics.

8 Tesla’s Car Designs Are Patent-free

2015 Tesla Model S 70D
Tesla

All of Tesla’s automotive designs are open supply, with the Tesla Model S being acknowledged because the world’s first open-source automotive. The firm began releasing its patents in 2014 to propel the advancement of electric car technology, one thing that would doubtlessly profit individuals worldwide. How good of them!

Always Seeing The Bigger Picture

Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has defined that this choice was made to speed up the adoption of electrical vehicles. In this fashion, by means of the discharge of quite a few patents associated to electrical powertrains and their integration into automobiles, Tesla has said they appear to propel the continual development of your complete electrical automotive trade, with no distinction about which firm produces them and income from it. Due to the nonetheless comparatively small dimension of the electrical automotive market, Tesla declared it perceives little risk from its electrical rivals and that it believes there’s ample room for everybody available in the market.

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9 It’s Technically Illegal To Drive The Model X Over The Brooklyn Bridge

Red 2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland
Tesla

In order to drive a automotive throughout the Brooklyn Bridge, whether or not it is an SUV, pickup, or sedan, it should weigh lower than 6,000 kilos. As it seems, whereas the Tesla Model X has a curb weight of 5,441 kilos, in reality, it has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 6,768 pounds. Tesla Motors explicitly said that the precise weight determine surpasses 6,000 kilos because it allowed them to qualify the Model X for an old tax loophole often called the Hummer Loophole, offering a $25,000 tax credit score.

In this fashion, in accordance with the bridge weight restriction, decided by engineers and builders who calculate the utmost weight a construction can bear, the Tesla Model X is not allowed to travel across the Brooklyn Bridge, plain and easy. Therefore, any NYPD officer ought to be happy to situation fines, make arrests, or carry out PIT maneuvers on any Tesla Model X driver they encounter on the bridge, so watch out in the event you’re eager about doing it!

10 The Model X Boasts Hospital-like Air Conditions

Tesla Model X interior
Tesla 

Tesla’s Bioweapon Defense Mode is among the many firm’s most mentioned but least understood options. This perform makes use of a set of enormous HEPA filters and chemical converters to filter out and neutralize dangerous particulates and air pollution inside the automotive’s cabin. The main goal of the system is to make sure passengers take pleasure in high-quality air (even in a few of the world’s most polluted cities).

It Effectively Works Even In Cities Experiencing Severe Pollution

Tesla put this characteristic to the check by parking a Model X inside an enormous plastic bubble with its doorways open. As the bubble was full of air that was extraordinarily contaminated (20 instances extra polluted than the common air high quality in cities like Beijing and Mexico City), and the Bioweapon Defense Mode was activated, the HEPA filtration system labored its magic.

In lower than two minutes, it scrubbed the air contained in the Model X, reducing pollution levels to the point of being undetectable, thus reaching hospital-like situations.

Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey: Cost and Uses

The Osprey is operated by a four-person crew consisting of two pilots and two flight engineers. It is utilized for various missions including combat, combat support, combat service support, and Special Operations. The main function of the Osprey is to transport troops, equipment, and supplies from assault ships and land bases in an amphibious manner. The Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Command use the CV-22 for Spec Ops, while the Navy utilizes the HV-22 for Combat Search and Rescue and fleet logistics support. The Marines are also replacing their aging fleet of CH-46E Sea Knight and CH-53D Sea Stallion medium-lift helicopters with the Osprey. The MV-22 will be integrated into all Marine Corps medium-lift active duty and reserve tactical squadrons, the medium-lift training squadron (FRS), and the executive support squadron (HMX).

The Osprey has been deployed globally for a variety of missions such as combat operations, humanitarian efforts, peacekeeping, and regional stability initiatives. It has been utilized in conflict zones including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, parts of Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region for military exercises and other purposes. During missions, the Osprey primarily operates in fixed-wing mode, reducing wear and tear and operational costs. It is also designed to fly at higher altitudes than traditional helicopters, providing longer line-of-sight communications and stronger command and control for the crew.

Chevy Duramax Diesel Engine Teardown Shows Pistons Destroyed By Valves

Let’s play detective and dissect this engine to uncover why it suffered a failure. The engine in question is a General Motors LM2 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax turbodiesel, and it experienced a catastrophic failure. This powerplant was extracted from a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with approximately 146,000 miles on the clock.

Initially, things looked okay as there were no visible signs of serious damage like a protruding rod from the engine block or an exploded valve cover. The first hint of trouble surfaced when the upper timing cover was removed, as insufficient pressure was noticed on the timing chain.

Chevy Diesel Engine Teardown

Further investigation after removing the lower timing cover exposed metal debris on the crank position sensor, along with oil containing metal flakes. This indicated a clear indication of a problem.

Things only went downhill from there. Removing the valve cover showed oil contaminated with metal on the camshaft caps and excessive wear within these components.

At 26:48, the cylinder head was removed, revealing the full extent of the damage. Each piston in this inline-six diesel engine displayed severe indentations from colliding with the valves, resulting in a catastrophic failure of the engine. 

Duramax Diesel Engine Failure

The investigation continued, and upon removing the bottom of the oil pan, a sludge of metal flakes was discovered, but nothing was found in the oil pickup line. It was suggested that the vehicle may have been running low on lubrication when the failure occurred.

Further disassembly of the engine revealed a missing rod bearing, and it was presumed that the metal debris in the oil resulted from the engine grinding it up. 

At the conclusion of the video, a theory was proposed regarding the cause of the failure. It is suggested that the engine’s use of an oil-pressure-operated timing chain tensioner might have resulted in low lubrication, leading to insufficient pressure on this component, possibly causing a timing chain jump. In an interference engine like the 3.0 Duramax, this could lead to the pistons and valves colliding. However, this is only a hypothesis, and viewers were urged to share their thoughts on the potential cause of this significant engine failure in the comments.

GM Hilariously Lists Corvette ZR1’s Rumored LT7 Engine As 4.3-Liter Diesel

By far the biggest mystery surrounding the hotly anticipated Corvette ZR1 is the type of engine Chevrolet’s engineers intend to install. In late October, an eagle-eyed person with access to the GM Parts Catalog stumbled upon an LT7 listed as a turbocharged eight-cylinder mill with a 5.5-liter displacement. Well, that’s no longer the case because the database has been updated to show an entirely different LT7, one that GM had back in the 1980s.

Discovered by a member of the Corvette Forum, the LT7 now appears as a 4.3-liter V6 diesel. Coincidentally, or perhaps not, there was an oil-burner with this displacement between the 1982 to 1985 model years. Engineered for front-wheel-drive cars, this diesel enabled the 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera to return 28 miles per gallon in the city and 41 mpg on the highway for a combined 33 mpg. It was also offered in the Buick Century, Chevrolet Celebrity, and the Pontiac 6000 during the same model years.

external_image

However, we’d reckon 85 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque wouldn’t be enough for the Corvette ZR1. But why is the Corvette now listed as having a diesel V6 instead of a gas V8? Well, to show GM has a sense of humor is one logical explanation. The cat is probably out of the bag anyway, so why not do some damage control by replacing the true identity of the new LT7 and have fun along the way?

Many would argue a diesel has no place in a mid-engine supercar, although Audi would beg to differ with its R8 V12 TDI concept. A diesel would make more sense in the long-rumored Corvette SUV but in the age of electrification, a high-riding ‘Vette would have a gas engine assisted by an electric motor to deliver the necessary low-end torque.

Diesel engines have largely fallen out of favor anyway in the wake of the Volkswagen Group’s messy Dieselgate scandal. There are more chances of seeing the rumored twin-turbo hybrid Zora than a diesel Corvette, which would surely upset purists more than the E-Ray or the already confirmed fully electric model.

Toyota’s Tacoma X-Runner Concept Envisions a Sport Truck Resurgence

Toyota Designers and Engineers Inspire Street Truck Devotees to Dream About a Modern-day X-Runner

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 31, 2023) – In the past, 2WD street trucks, also known as “sport” trucks, were popular on roads everywhere. These trucks were customized by enthusiasts who focused on their performance between stoplights rather than for worksites, campsites, or trailheads.

During a concepting session between the Toyota Engineering teams at Toyota R&D and the design team at Toyota’s Calty Design Studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the idea of building a street truck emerged. This resulted in the creation of a modernized X-Runner Concept based on the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma, which diverged from the off-road focus at the 2023 SEMA Show.

Adam Rabinowitz, chief designer at Toyota’s Calty Design Research, Inc., explained the inspiration behind this X-Runner Concept. He mentioned the curiosity to see if there is still a market for street trucks or if the market has completely shifted to tough, rugged, lifted vehicles.

However, building the X-Runner Concept was not just about checking the market’s pulse. The Toyota R&D and Design Teams were eager to demonstrate the possibilities of Toyota’s new TGNA-F product platform after witnessing the enthusiastic consumer response to the launch of the new 2024 Tacoma.

According to Sheldon Brown, chief engineer at Toyota Motor North America, the TGNA-F platform enabled them to efficiently build something like the X-Runner Concept in a fraction of the time it would usually take. The team saw this project as a testament to why they got into the automotive business.

The X-Runner Concept features a modified i-FORCE 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 421 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of peak torque. It also includes a Tundra solid axle with a 4.30:1 final drive and an electronic locking differential for torque distribution. Additionally, it has a custom side exhaust.

The engine modification will be available in the next year as part of a TRD Performance Package upgrade for new Tundra models. More details can be found in the Performance Package press release.

In terms of design, the X-Runner Concept maintains the Tacoma’s signature look by incorporating interlocking shapes and fluid forms. The front fascia features Tacoma XB LED Projector headlights with “X-Runner” laser ablation lenses. Custom aero-fairings with functional venting cool the X-Runner’s 13.9-inch Tundra front brakes, while the functional hood scoop draws cool air into the engine bay. The rear of the X-Runner Concept is kept simple, highlighted by smoked taillights.

To achieve the desired street stance and showcase the flexibility of the TGNA-F platform, the team utilized a Tundra air suspension for a low ride height while still being able to carry a load. The suspension geometry was adjusted to match the Tundra’s specifications, and the springs were stiffened. The X-Runner Concept also features custom-valved, 2.5-inch Bilstein aluminum-bodied shocks with remote reservoirs to optimize performance. The wheel wells are filled with one-off 21×9.5-inch carbon fiber wheels with forged aluminum centers on Michelin 285/45R21 Sport Tires.

The majority of the body is painted in the original Speedway Blue color, paying homage to the original X-Runner that debuted the hue in 2004. Matte black finishes on the hood, A-pillars, and roof follow the TRD Pro style guide, while red accents on the hood lines, scoop, and wheel hubs highlight the X-Runner’s high-performance nature.

Inside, the X-Runner Concept retains the Tacoma’s familiar feel while incorporating paddle shifters and custom X-Runner accents.

According to Mike Tripp, group vice president of Toyota Marketing, the X-Runner Concept showcases the range of the Tacoma platform and what could be done by pushing its boundaries beyond off-road capabilities. It demonstrates that TRD is about performance and speed.

Toyota’s featured vehicles, build concepts, and a variety of production cars, SUVs, and trucks can be seen at the Las Vegas Convention Center from October 31 to November 3, 2023.

Note: The vehicles shown are special project prototype vehicles modified with parts and/or accessories not available from Toyota. These modifications may void the vehicle’s warranty, impact performance and safety, and may not be street legal.

Nissan Ariya Nismo Is Coming, Prototype Spotted Testing At The Nurburgring

The latest spy photos from the Nurburgring reveal a new version of the all-electric Nissan Ariya. This prototype, believed to be the Ariya Nismo, features several modifications that set it apart from the current trim levels.

Starting at the front, the Ariya Nismo sports a slightly different fascia. The vertical vents at the ends are shorter, and there is a single horizontal body line that crosses the bumper instead of sloping downward from the vents. This gives the Ariya Nismo a more robust look. Additionally, the lower front vent is more aggressive in design, and there are winglets on the edges of the lower fascia.

The rear of the vehicle has sharper edges, and the side skirts contribute to the appearance of a lower ride height. The wheels on this prototype are twin-spoke 20-inch five-stars, a departure from the aerodynamic design found on the standard Ariya. The tires are Michelin Pilot Sports in 255/45 size, which offer better performance but are not typically found on the base model. The front brakes also appear to be slightly larger, and a small lip spoiler is mounted below the rear window.

With these updates and improvements, the Nissan Ariya Nismo promises to deliver a more sporty and aggressive driving experience. Stay tuned for more details and official announcements from Nissan.