The Toyota Tacozilla concept that is now on Display at SEMA 2021, combines the versatility of a camper van with the durability of a pick-up truck
by Khris Bharath, onAfter initial sketches of the TacoZilla were shown by Toyota a couple of weeks ago, the Japanese automaker has now officially taken the wraps off of their concept of an Overlander at SEMA 2021. It uses the Tacoma TRD Sport pickup truck as its base and was built by Marty Schwerter and his team from Toyota Motorsport.
Overview
The SEMA show is you may already know is currently underway at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and pretty much every major automaker is at the show, to capitalize on this annual event in a bid to not just increase brand recognition but also show off their best concepts and wares.
When the initial idea for a camper van based around Tacoma came about, Schwerter and his team knew that it wasn’t going to be easy, given the size of the vehicle. They set out to create a Tacoma that could pretty much take you anywhere and by anywhere, I mean out in the wilderness. All this while you stay absolutely comfortable with all the amenities at hand.
Design
The Tacozilla project is actually inspired by the camper vans from the 1970s and 1980s, which the brand offered at the time in collaboration with Chinook. The team wanted to recreate that same successful recipe in a modern way.
Steel and aluminum were fabricated meticulously by the team and they went to great lengths to make to minimize the visual bulk that comes with such a vehicle. Even though modern accents have been utilized in the design, the camper retains the retro aesthetic of the 1970s, given the colors and patterns used on the outside. Areas that were particularly difficult to work around include the rear door and the snorkel, which had to be custom-made for the TacoZilla.
This should be able to get you anywhere you want to go off the beaten path and be able to be super comfortable when you do it - Marty Schwerter
The Cabin
Unlike other MPVs on currently on the market, Toyota has come up with a somewhat unusual style of pickup truck camper, with such a high roofline that not only allows adults to stand inside the vehicle but also a range of amenities that will make your life easy when you’re out and about.
You’ll find pretty much everything you need in the living room. A pair of benches, a 3D-printed dining table, a TV set, a kitchenette with a stove, fridge, sink, and a bathroom with a toilet and shower, in addition to a comfy-looking bed. There are several hidden storage compartments as well as a sunroof to let in enough light to make this camper feel airy and spacious. A nice touch that adds more character to the cabin includes the use of Teak wood on the floor.
Performance
Apart from the retro design and the functional cabin, the Tacozilla also has the added advantage of benefitting from Tacoma’s excellent reputation as a truck that is not just capable but also reliable. The engine is a regular 3.5-liter V-6 that produces a modest 282 horsepower. The RV was also outfitted with a higher chassis +51 mm, 17-inch wheels with General Grabber X3 off-road tires, a snorkel that I mentioned earlier, a winch, and a unique TRD exhaust.
Conclusion
The Tacozilla concept on display at the SEMA has to be of Toyota’s most unusual projects. The innovation and engineering that has gone into it are second to none.
This really is a one-of-a-kind custom camper van that took a lot of man-hours to put together and I for one think that it would be a great addition to Toyota’s portfolio even if some of the elements of the TacoZilla make it to market in the form of accessories.
Here is the Spec Sheet
Take the time out to check out this behind the scenes look of what went into the making of the TacoZilla
