Peter Lyon
October 28, 2025
Toyota is debuting the Turbo Trail Cruiser at the 2025 SEMA Show on November 4, a performance-inspired build that blends the timeless appeal of the Land Cruiser FJ60 with the cutting-edge power of Toyota’s modern i-FORCE twin-turbo V6. The unique project is an exercise in seamlessly retrofitting contemporary Toyota engineering into a heritage platform – part resto, part hot rod, but all Toyota – showing how today’s performance technology can transform one of the brand’s most iconic classics.
Powered by the i-FORCE 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 found in Toyota’s Tundra, the Turbo Trail Cruiser produces 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, nearly doubling the output of the FJ60’s original inline-six. Yet the transformation isn’t just about raw power. The modern engine brings quieter operation, refinement, reduced emissions, and better fuel efficiency — along with instant spool-up, and the steep yet linear torque curve of twin turbochargers, which make the Land Cruiser feel more modern, practical and capable.
“The Turbo Trail Cruiser is about showing what happens when Toyota’s modern performance technology is integrated into one of our most iconic classics,” said Marty Schwerter, Director of Operations at Toyota’s Motorsports Garage and lead builder of the project. “It’s a hot-rod approach with Toyota DNA — power, drivability, and reliability in a package that still feels true to the original Land Cruiser.”
Unlike many restomod efforts, the Turbo Trail Cruiser was built with a singular philosophy: to appear factory-original. Every component was developed to fit without cutting into the firewall, relocating mount points, or altering the 1985 FJ60’s structural integrity.
Beyond the powertrain, this classic FJ received a modest 1.5-inch lift, 35-inch tires, front shackle reversal, and period-correct colors and graphics finished in a PPG reproduction of Toyota’s original 1986 Silver 147. Inside, a modern JBL stereo system subtly enhances the vintage cabin experience—updates that preserve its timeless character while giving the impression it could have spent the past 40 years tucked away in a garage, aging gracefully yet refreshed for today.
“For Toyota fans, the Turbo Trail Cruiser is about more than just horsepower,” said Mike Tripp, group vice president, Toyota Marketing. “It’s about preserving the character of a vehicle enthusiasts love while showing how seamlessly Toyota technology can elevate the driving experience. It’s a concept build, but it demonstrates the passion we share with our customers for keeping these classics alive in new and exciting ways.”
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Hopefully, Toyota will do more of these restomods in the future, as they have so much history and sports DNA to work with. The Turbo Trail Cruiser will be featured in the Toyota booth at the 2025 SEMA Show, highlighting how gasoline-powered vehicles continue to play an important role in Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy—from traditional engines to hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cells — giving customers the freedom to choose the powertrain that best fits their needs.
