2014 Toyota TRD Pro Series | 2014 Chicago Auto Show |

New bolt-on bits.


Hardcore, straight-from-the-factory off-road territory isn't just for the Ford Raptor anymore. Toyota is stepping up with its new TRD Pro Series off-road packages, which officially debuted today at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show.

Toyota Racing Development is Toyota's in-house performance group, much like AMG is to Mercedes-Benz. If you want your Toyota to go faster, handle better, or be able to take you over and/or through any sort of terrain, TRD is there to help. The Pro Series off-road equipment is available only on four-wheel-drive models of the Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner. No matter which vehicle you choose, the packages will include, at the very least, RD Bilstein shocks, tuned front springs, and a TRD front skid plate.



Other model-specific options like exhaust and aesthetic upgrades are also included. The Tundra and Tacoma get a TRD exhaust system and a 2-inch lift for the front end, while the 4Runner goes without the tuned exhaust and receives a 1.5-inch front-end lift. All three vehicles receive black wheels, with the Tacoma getting a set of black beadlocks and the 4Runner and Tacoma getting black alloys. Last but not least, you can have your TRD Pro Series off-roader in a unique color, dubbed "Inferno," which you can see here.

As a Toyota fan, this has me excited, and it's something that diehard Toyota off-road fans will hopefully be excited about, too.

Aimed at the hardcore off-road enthusiast, Toyota will roll out a new line of purpose-built trucks under its Toyota Racing Development (TRD) banner in fall 2014. The TRD Pro series adds a special set of exclusive equipment to certain Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, and 4Runner models with 4x4 capability.

The most prominent and recognizable feature of the new set of off-road trucks is the retro-styled "TOYOTA" badge, which was last seen on the now-defunct heavy-duty Toyota FJ Cruiser. All Toyota TRD Pro trucks will be built with factory-installed TRD upgrades such as Bilstein shocks, tuned front springs, front skid plate, TRD shift knobs and floor mats, and distinctive black wheels. Classic Black and Super White colors will be offered alongside the new color, Inferno (pictured).

Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Series models will feature TRD springs with 2 inches of front lift, softer springs for a better ride, a TRD dual exhaust, 18-inch wheels with Michelin ORP tires, and an array of TRD badges and unique trim elements. The smaller Tacoma TRD Pro gets similar upgrades, including a TRD exhaust, and 16-inch black wheels with BFGoodrich All-Terrain rubber. Lastly, the 4Runner TRD Pro gains 1 inches of wheel travel, 1.5 inches of front lift, and 17-inch black wheels. These upgrades should add a serious dosage of attitude as well as functionality to any off-road enthusiast’s garage.

The TRD Pro package will be available on Access and Double Cab versions of 4.0-liter V-6 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 models, all 4x4 versions of the Toyota 4Runner, as well as CrewMax and Double Cab versions of the 5.7-liter V-8 4x4 Toyota Tundra. Toyota has not come out with any pricing information for its new TRD Pro Series, but expect more details leading up to the planned launch in fall 2014.