Toyota won’t officially reveal its refreshed 2012 Toyota Tacoma until later this year when it is expected to debut at the State Fair of Texas auto show, but a series of screen grabs have snuck out onto the web a little early.
We don’t know many details yet, but the refresh clearly includes a revised front fascia – a typical mid-cycle move for Toyota. We suspect that the red vehicle pictured here is a mid-level SR5 since its front fascia includes a fair amount of black trim. It is also equipped with the TRD Off Road package, a group that has normally included Bilstein shock absorbers and, on some models, an electric-locking rear differential.
The photos were posted on PickupTrucks.com and they clearly come from a marketing or advertising video.
Inside, we anticipate that the Tacoma will receive a few new dashboard updates centered around Toyota’s trick app-based Entune infotainment system. Toyota has told Leftlane that all of its new models will feature Entune capability in at least one form or another.
Underneath, we’re left only to speculate. It seems likely that the 270-horsepower version of Toyota’s 4.0-liter V6 used in the new-for-2010 4Runner will show up in its Tacoma cousin to replace an existing 236-horsepower engine. A full-time four-wheel-drive system plucked from the FJ Cruiser is also a distinct possibility.
It’s hard to say just what Toyota will do with its Tacoma over the long run. The model is already the undisputed sales champion of the compact and midsize pickup segment and with the forthcoming demise of the Ford Ranger and General Motors’ Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon models, Tacoma will really only have to fend off rivals from Ram and Nissan. Chrysler hasn’t exactly made it clear what’s in store for the next-generation Dakota, but the model is expected to move to a more car-like platform akin to the slow-selling Honda Ridgeline.
Look for more information to come from Toyota over the next month.
References
1.’First unofficial images…’ view
