2025 Toyota Turbo Trail Cruiser: Old-School Looks, Twin-Turbo Muscle

Toyota has taken a bold step at the 2025 SEMA Show with the debut of the Turbo Trail Cruiser, a restomod that celebrates the Land Cruiser FJ60’s legacy while injecting it with the soul of modern performance. This build is more than a showpiece — it’s Toyota’s way of proving that timeless design and new-age technology can coexist perfectly.

Under the hood lies Toyota’s i-FORCE 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, borrowed straight from the current Tundra. With 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, this FJ60 has nearly twice the power of the original inline-six engine. But Toyota didn’t just chase performance; the team aimed to create a factory-quality driving experience that feels authentic yet modern.

Marty Schwerter, Director of Operations at Toyota’s Motorsports Garage, led the project with a clear vision — to merge Toyota’s reliability and drivability with the raw charm of a classic. The engineering team built custom motor mounts, reworked the oil pan, and created an adapter plate to pair the i-FORCE V6 with the FJ60’s original 5-speed manual transmission. Even the heat exchanger and exhaust system were carefully designed to fit existing mounting points, keeping the Land Cruiser’s original structure intact.

The Turbo Trail Cruiser stands slightly taller thanks to a 1.5-inch lift and rides on 35-inch tires, while its body glows in Toyota’s original 1986 Silver 147 hue. Inside, a discreet JBL audio system complements the vintage design without disrupting its retro atmosphere. It’s a blend of nostalgia and innovation that feels natural — as if Toyota built it this way from day one.

Mike Tripp, group vice president of Toyota Marketing, describes it best: “This project honors our heritage while proving that Toyota technology can enhance any classic without losing its soul.”

The Turbo Trail Cruiser embodies Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy, showing that gasoline-powered vehicles still play a meaningful role in the brand’s diverse future — alongside hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cell options.