The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is a powerful and versatile pickup truck and a star in the new DC superhero movie "Blue Beetle." The film, which features Xolo Maridueña as the young hero Jaime Reyes, showcases multiple generations of Tacoma, including a bespoke 2024 model designed by Toyota's CALTY Design Studio. Here are some of the highlights of how the Tacoma makes a big screen debut in "Blue Beetle."
The 2024 Tacoma: A Customized Hero
The 2024 Tacoma is the latest iteration of Toyota's best-selling midsize pickup truck, which has been re-engineered from the ground up to deliver more performance, capability, and connectivity than ever before. The truck comes with a standard i-FORCE turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces up to 278 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque, or an optional hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain that generates up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. The truck also offers eight unique grades, ranging from the base SR to the new Trailhunter, a factory-developed overlanding rig with integrated off-road equipment.
For the "Blue Beetle" movie, Toyota collaborated with Warner Bros. Pictures and DC to create a special version of the 2024 Tacoma that reflects the personality and style of Jaime Reyes, the protagonist who gains superpowers after an alien scarab fuses with him. The customized Tacoma was designed by CALTY Design Studio, Toyota's North American design center, which has been responsible for some of the most iconic Toyota vehicles in history.
According to Kevin Hunter, president of CALTY Design Research, the team wanted to create a Tacoma that would appeal to Jaime as a young, adventurous driver who loves his family and community. "We wanted to capture his spirit and energy in the design of the truck," Hunter said. "We also wanted to make it look cool and futuristic but still recognizable as a Tacoma."
The result is a stunning Tacoma that features a sleek and sporty exterior with a blue and silver color scheme that matches Jaime's superhero suit. The truck also has a distinctive front grille with an integrated scarab logo, LED headlights and taillights, custom wheels and tires, and a tonneau cover with a spoiler. The interior of the truck is equally impressive, with blue accents, leather seats, a digital instrument cluster, and a large touchscreen infotainment system.
The customized Tacoma is a visual treat and a functional one. The pickup truck is equipped with advanced technology and features that help Jaime in his heroic adventures. For example, the truck has a wireless charging pad that can charge Jaime's suit, a voice-activated navigation system that can guide him to his destinations, and a rearview camera that can display what's behind him on the windshield. The pickup truck also has a hidden compartment under the rear seat that can store Jaime's suit when he's not using it.