SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2017
Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro showed off its off-road prowess at the 2016
Texas Auto Writers Association's (TAWA) Texas Truck Rodeo, winning
the Mid-size Pickup Truck of Texas
award.
After two days of demanding on and off-road driving at Longhorn
River Ranch in Dripping Springs,
Texas, journalists voted for their favorite pickup trucks,
SUVs and CUVs in multiple categories. This year, more than 70 media
members attended the event to test drive 82 vehicles from the
world's top truck and SUV manufacturers.
"As America's best-selling mid-size pickup for ten years
running, the recognition as Mid-size Pickup Truck of Texas confirms our vision of producing a truck
that can tackle any off-road challenge," said Mike Sweers, Tacoma chief engineer. "Toyota's
commitment to the new Tacoma TRD Pro was focused on meeting the
needs of adventure-seekers where roads fear to tread, and we have
proven that today."
Assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) in San
Antonio, the 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro impressed TAWA members with
its suspension, exhaust enhancements and off-road technology. The
Tacoma TRD Pro's front springs with a 1-inch lift, rear suspension
with progressive-rate off-road leaf spring and 16-inch TRD black
alloy wheels with Goodyear Wrangler® All-Terrain
Kevlar®-reinforced tires helped to navigate the off-road
course at the event. With a heritage-inspired TOYOTA grille and TRD
Pro badge on its front door with diamond-pattern knurled finish,
the 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro's exterior it stands out in the crowd. From
behind, the truck features a black TRD Pro, 4x4 rear tailgate
badging and taillights with black bezels and TRD cat-black
stainless steel exhaust system. The TRD Pro grade's look is topped
off with a TRD Pro badge on the front door with a diamond-pattern
knurled finish.
The 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro produces 278 horsepower and includes a
V6 with a segment-first Atkinson Cycle engine. For those traveling
off the beaten path, the Tacoma's TRD Pro grade offers a Crawl
Control system, Multi-Terrain Select, Locking Rear Differential,
Hill Start Assist Control and Active Traction Control, which takes
over the truck's acceleration and braking, allowing drivers to
focus on navigating over tough terrain.
TAWA is a Texas-based nonprofit
association for automotive journalists promoting professionalism
and quality in journalism for more than two decades. The group
produces two annual events – Texas Auto Roundup and Texas Truck
Rodeo – that allow members to experience vehicles from various
manufacturers in one place, at one time.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the
world's top automaker and creator of the Prius and the Mirai fuel
cell vehicle, is committed to advancing mobility through
our Toyota and Lexus brands. Over the past 50 years,
we've produced more than 30 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14
manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than
44,000 people (more than 34,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North
American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.8 million
cars and trucks (nearly 2.5 million in the U.S.) in 2015 – and
about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years
are still on the road today.
Toyota partners with community, civic, academic, and
governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing
mobility challenges. We share company resources and extensive
know-how to support non-profits to help expand their ability to
assist more people move more places. For more information about
Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West
Virginia, Inc. (TMMWV) is located in Buffalo and employs approximately 1,600 team
members. Toyota has invested more than $1.4
billion into the 1.9 million square foot plant that annually
produces 650,000 engines and 740,000 transmissions for the Camry,
Corolla, Avalon, Lexus RX 350, Sienna, Highlander, and
RAV4.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brent
Diggins
Allison+Partners
(623) 201-5554
Brent@allisonpr.com
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SOURCE Toyota