Toyota ready to get dirty with new TRD Pro Series

Thu, 06 Feb 2014

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.

Let's Get Dirty!

Toyota Kicks Up Some Dust with the All-New TRD Pro Series of Off-Road Vehicles
February 06, 2014
CHICAGO (Feb. 6, 2014) – Get ready to go where even roads fear to tread with the adrenaline-pumping TRD Pro Series from Toyota. Already favorites among serious off-roaders, the 2015 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner will get even more capable with these new, aggressive off-road packages designed by the experts at Toyota Racing Development (TRD).

Rising from the Desert
The TRD Pro Series arises from Toyota's storied off-road racing heritage, with numerous victories in the grueling Baja 500 and 1000 endurance races. Born from this experience in the desert, Toyota's terrain-conquering vehicles will help serious off-roaders go places they never dreamed possible.

Serious Specs for Serious Off-Roaders
The new factory-installed TRD Pro Series is aimed squarely at extreme off-roading enthusiasts who push their trucks and SUVs to the limit.

Available on 4X4 models of Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner, all TRD Pro Series vehicles will be equipped with:
TRD Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs
TRD-tuned front springs
TRD front skid plate
Unique front grille with "TOYOTA" badging (pays tribute to early iconic Toyota models)
TRD floor mats
TRD shift knobs
Black wheels
A hot new color, Inferno, is joined by Black and Super White, cool classics for off-road rigs.

Tundra Like No Other
In addition to the shared features, the Tundra TRD Pro will be equipped exclusively with:
TRD-tuned springs with 2" lift for the front of the vehicle
Decreased spring rate to improve ride quality over harsh terrain
All-black 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin ORP tires
TRD dual exhaust system
TRD PRO quarter panel bed stamping
Unique interior seat color with red stitching
Unique instrument panel ornament insert

Taco Supreme
Building on the best-selling compact pickup in the industry, Tacoma TRD Pro beefs up and adds a little hot sauce with:
TRD-tuned springs with 2" lift for the front
Decreased spring rate
16-inch black beadlock-style wheels
BFGoodrich® All-Terrain LT265/75R16 tires
TRD Exhaust
Black TRD PRO badge

Rock Star 4Runner
Adding to its rock-crawling prowess, 4Runner TRD PRO will be exclusively equipped with:
1.5" lift for the front of the vehicle
1" of additional wheel travel
All-new 17-inch TRD all-black alloy wheels
Black TRD Pro badges
Black front and rear lower bumper accents
Street Cred On and Off-Road
The TRD Pro Series is the most-advanced yet in a long line of TRD packages for Toyota trucks that dates back to 1998 when the first Off-Road package was introduced for Tacoma.

TRD has been an in-house engine and chassis developer for successful Toyota racing activities around the world for nearly four decades. It also develops motorsport-derived accessories for Toyota, Lexus and Scion street cars and trucks. TRD's U.S. operations were first established in 1979 and are headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., with an additional facility in Salisbury, N.C.

The TRD Pro Series will start getting down and dirty in the fall of 2014.

Original Toyota Off-Road Game Returns!
Be the first to take the TRD Pro Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner off-road and online by playing, Super Off Road™: TRD Pro Edition Presented by Toyota.

Choose your favorite TRD Pro model and put them to the test on the toughest, muddiest, most grueling online off-road track. Score power-ups, challenge friends and compete to beat the leaderboard. Visit www.ToyotaSuperOffRoad.com for more information.

2015 TRD PRO SERIES PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

	Tundra TRD Pro	Tacoma TRD Pro	4Runner TRD Pro
Wheels	18" black alloy w/ TRD logo	16" black beadlock style TRD alloy	New 17" black TRD alloy
Tires	Michelin ORP	BFGoodrich All Terrain KO	TBD
Shocks	TRD Bilstein High Performance FRONT: - 2" of additional wheel travel - 60mm pistons > 46mm OE - 12mm shafts > 12mm OE Speed & Position Valving - Bilstein progressive piston and valve design - 3 stage position sensitive valving REAR: - 1.25" of additional wheel travel - 60mm pistons > 46mm OE Remote Reservoirs - Increased oil capacity for heat management - Increased control of cavitation	TRD Bilstein High Performance FRONT: - 1" of additional wheel travel - 60mm pistons > 36/32mm OE - 18mm shafts > 12mm OE REAR: - 1.5" of additional wheel travel - 46mm pistons > 36/30mm OE - Remote reservoir	TRD Bilstein High Performance FRONT: - 1" of additional wheel travel - 60mm pistons > 32mm OE - 18mm shafts > 12mm OE REAR: - 1" of additional wheel travel - 46mm pistons > 32mm OE - Remote reservoir
Springs	Unique TRD-Tuned Front Springs - 2" lift for the front of the vehicle - Decreased spring rate to improve ride quality over harsh terrain	Unique TRD-Tuned Front Springs - 2" lift for the front of the vehicle - Decreased spring rate to improve ride quality over harsh terrain	Unique TRD-Tuned Front Springs - 1.5" lift for the front of the vehicle
Exhaust	TRD Dual Exhaust - Stainless steel system - Polished steel dual wall tips - Reduced back pressure - Throaty rumble sound	TRD Cat Back Exhaust - Stainless steel system - Polished steel dual wall tips - Reduced back pressure - Throaty rumble sound	No Change from OE
Skid Plate	New TRD Front Skid Plate - 1/4" thick aluminum with oil pan access panel	TRD Front Skid Plate - 1/8" thick stamped silver powder-coated	TRD Stamped Front Skid Plate - 1/4" thick aluminum with venting for front differential
Exterior	- Unique "TOYOTA" front grille - "TRD Pro" quarter bed panel stamping - Black "TUNDRA" badging on doors	- Unique "TOYOTA" front grille - Black "TRD PRO" external hard badge - Black "TACOMA" badging on doors	- Unique "TOYOTA" front grille - Black "TRD PRO" external hard badges - Black front and rear lower bumper accent
Exterior Colors	Black, Super White, and Inferno (all-new exclusive color)
Interior	- TRD Shift Knob - TRD Floor Mats - Unique seat color with red stitching - Unique IP ornament insert	- TRD Shift Knob - TRD Floor Mats	- TRD Shift Knob - TRD Floor Mats

By Brandon Turkus