2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Teased Ahead of Chicago Debut With Factory Snorkel

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Toyota not-so-subtly confirmed that the Tacoma TRD Pro will soon be available with a factory snorkel via a teaser photo on Tuesday. The automaker wants to remind everyone that new Toyota Racing Development 4×4 models will appear at the Chicago Auto Show later this week.

Mounted high enough for the Tacoma to drive through miles of bumper-deep volcanic ash or water without suffocating the engine, the snorkel showcases Toyota’s commitment to off-roading — or at least the associated trappings.

Other than that singular detail, the Tacoma TRD doesn’t appear to have changed much in the teaser photo. However, we’re sure there will be more off-roading niceties on offer for the Tacoma, with possibilities for the same on the Tundra and 4Runner.

Ideally, we’d like to see the Japanese 4x4s get a boost in performance that can be enjoyed both on and off the pavement — especially the Tacoma. You know, something that might give Ford Raptor shoppers reason to take pause. We’re not expecting 450 horses, but a bump up from the Tacoma’s current 278 hp would be nice.

We’ll have our fingers crossed this week, as details on the new TRD models will unfold in Chicago on February 8th.

[Image: Toyota]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Sub-600 Sub-600 on Feb 07, 2018

    It would be a better idea if that was a periscope and not a snorkel. Then the driver could see over the F-150s in the Walmart parking lot. “There’s an open space near the Lawn & Garden area, get the seven pound bag of birdseed, we can put it in the bed, just don’t scratch it.”

    • See 1 previous
    • Dukeisduke Dukeisduke on Feb 07, 2018

      The bed is composite (plastic), so you never have to worry about scratching it. One of the good things about the Tacoma. You just have to add the Toyota bed mat (I did), so that things don't slide around.

  • Pdq Pdq on Feb 07, 2018

    The snorkel won't last long. I bet it'll get broken off the first time you drive into a parking garage or even your garage at home.

  • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Feb 07, 2018

    It good to see some effort is being placed in the mid size segment. Oh, I read here our Holden Colorado will be coming with one of those 3 litre twin turbo Caddy engines (343kw and 500Nm). This leads me to believe that the Ranger would be coming with the 2.7 or 3.5 EcoThirst. Toyota will be left in the dust with the Hilux. Globally the Hiluxes have always been a decade behind in tech with high tech pricing. This has allowed Ford to directly challenge Toyota's dominance. Maybe Toyota will come into the 21st Century. VW, Mercedes, Ford and GM seem to be producing high power mid sizers.

  • Dukeisduke Dukeisduke on Feb 07, 2018

    If there's one thing that wheezy, gutless 3.5 doesn't need, it's strangling.

    • PrincipalDan PrincipalDan on Feb 07, 2018

      The 3.5 V6 is a perfectly serviceable CAR engine but it is not a TRUCK engine. I don't think many would call the Highlander, Sienna, or Camry "wheezy" or "gutless" with the 3.5. Perhaps if the torque peak was lower and the curve flatter it would work better in the Tacoma. Personally I think they could have just spent money modernizing the old 4.0 V6 and gotten the same mileage gains they did by going with lower displacement.

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