Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Toyota, Design/Style, Off-Road



To the general public, Toyota is often thought of as a maker of bland but dependable cars, crossovers and SUVs that get their owners and a whole herd of whatever from Point A to Point B. Generally speaking, they're fuel efficient, comfortable and affordable. What the general public may not realize, however, is that Toyota enjoys a very strong history of going off road, too. The legendary Land Cruiser arguably established the trend, helping explore remote parts of the globe, while various guerilla warfare outfits and world military branches have unwittingly joined up with the boys from Top Gear to help cement the Hilux pickup's reputation for invincible performance. Now, though, Toyota is launching a new line of trucks and SUVs in the US that are even more explicitly targeted at hitting the trails. Meet the TRD Pro Series.

Featuring the 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra, each Pro Series vehicle features TRD-tuned springs with Bilstein shocks, a TRD front skid plate, a TRD shifter, black wheels, branded floor mats and a "TOYOTA" grille badge, the latter of which harkens back to classic models. TRD Pro Series vehicles will be offered in the new Inferno paint color shown above, as well as Black and Super White.

The Tundra benefits from softer TRD springs that also provide a two-inch lift and a better ride in the rough, while the truck itself rides on 18-inch wheels with Michelin ORP tires. Each truck gains an extra two inches of wheel travel in front and 1.25 inches in back, while a TRD dual exhaust should generate a nicer sound than the trucks's standard V8 engine. Finally, a unique interior with red contrast stitching freshen up the cabin. We wouldn't go so far as to call this a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor fighter - far from it, in fact - but it's a bit more off-road oriented than your average pickup.

The smaller Tacoma (which Toyota hilariously calls the Taco Supreme in its press release), benefits from upgrades that are similar to its big brother - softer springs that also boost the ride height a couple inches. An extra inch of wheel travel is available in front and 1.5 inches of travel are provided in back. Unlike the 18-inch hoops on the Tundra, though, the Tacoma features 16-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires. A TRD catback exhaust is also included.

Finally, the TRD Pro Series 4Runner only gets a 1.5-inch lift, but gains an extra inch of wheel travel. 17-inch TRD wheels come standard, while bumper accents add a bit more personality to the 4Runner. Unlike the pickup trucks, the 4Runner doesn't feature a TRD exhaust.

Hop below for the official press release from Toyota to learn more.Continue reading Toyota ready to get dirty with new TRD Pro Series

Toyota ready to get dirty with new TRD Pro Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Feb 2014 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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I prefer the Tundra of the three..this ride has a lot to offer. It is one of the most exciting trucks ever made available.It easily competes with the Ford Z series trucks.