Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro returning for 2017 model year

The TRD Pro package will be available on the Toyota Tacoma for 2017, the second model year for the redesigned midsize pickup.

Completely overhauled for 2016, the Tacoma was already plenty capable in TRD Off-Road guise thanks in large part to its optional crawl control function that can dig the truck out of sand up to axle-deep.

The folks at Toyota Racing Development are building on that capability with the TRD Pro, which adds plenty of off-road goodies to the truck.

Based on the Tacoma TRD Off-Road trim with the double cab and short bed configuration, the Tacoma TRD Pro comes with Toyota's 3.5-litre V6 under the hood and—surprise!—part-time four-wheel drive with a limited-slip rear differential.

The diff and transfer case are both electronically controlled.

It can be had with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, though craw control is only available on trucks fitted with the latter.

The truck adds a one-inch lift to the front springs and progressive-rate rear leaf springs, and FOX internal bypass shocks at all four corners.

The Tacoma TRD Pro rides on 16-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in Kevlar-reinforced Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires.

An aluminum front skid plate gives it an off-road-ready look, while LED fog lights by Rigid Industries fill in the front bumper.

It also gets the blackout treatment, with the hood scoop, grille, fender flairs and a host of other exterior accents contrasting the three available colours: grey, white and red.

Inside, the TRD Pro gets black leather-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, TRD floor mats and shift knob, and an Entune audio system with navigation.

A 4.2-inch screen fills the space between the tach and speedometer, and features an integrated inclinometer and tilt gauge for those hairy situations.

Rear park assist sensors, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert round out the safety features of the truck.

Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)

Also standard is the tow package that adds a Class-IV hitch, four- and seven-pin connectors, trailer sway control, a 130-amp alternator, and engine oil, power steering and, with the automatic gearbox, transmission coolers.

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