Toyota unveils 2017 TRD Pro edition of San Antonio-built Tacoma

Chicago – February 11, 2016 – Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. Bill Fay introduced the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro at the Chicago Auto Show. Tacoma TRD Pro has set the standard for off-road capability in the ultra-competitive mid-size truck segment. For more information contact Curt McAllister 313-259-4598. less Chicago – February 11, 2016 – Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. Bill Fay introduced the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro at the Chicago Auto Show. Tacoma TRD Pro has set the standard for off-road capability in the ... more Photo: Joe Wilssens, Toyota Photo: Joe Wilssens, Toyota Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Toyota unveils 2017 TRD Pro edition of San Antonio-built Tacoma 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

Toyota is beefing up the new TRD Pro off-road edition of the Tacoma pickup with upgraded shocks, 16-inch wheels wheels and kevlar-reinforced tires — and it will be made only at Toyota’s plant on the South Side.

Production of the 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro, which was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on Thursday afternoon, is set to begin at the South Side plant in August. The pickup will hit dealerships in the fall.

It’s likely to boost demand even further for the Tacoma, which had record sales in 2015. Toyota rolled out the long-awaited 2016 remodel of the pickup last year, with higher horsepower and more luxury features such as leather seating.

The new TRD Pro will include frills such as black leather heated seats and a touch-screen display that will show the vehicle’s lean and pitch angles. The edition will include two off-road features introduced in the 2016 Tacoma: “multi-terrain select,” which allows drivers to switch the vehicle’s settings based on what terrain it’s on, and “crawl control,” a sort of low-speed cruise control intended to help off-roaders concentrate on steering.

Toyota began making TRD Pro editions for its Tacoma and Tundra pickups and the 4Runner SUV in 2014, unveiling them at that year’s Chicago Auto Show.