In case you didn’t know it, the name Toyota starts with the letter “T.” So does the word “Tease” – and that’s exactly what Toyota is being before the start of the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. Fittingly, with a capital “T.”
The company recently released the above teaser image, saying, “It’s not quite grilling season, but Toyota is heating up the Windy City with a world premiere Thursday, Feb. 11.”
Given the age of the Toyota Tundra, I thought for a second that the picture was a glimpse at the next generation of the full-size truck. Then it occurred to me how odd it would be for Toyota to debut a new Tundra in what appears to be TRD Pro guise. I soon realized that we’re more than likely looking at the TRD Pro version of the Tacoma. That would make the most sense. That truck already exists and it’s been out long enough to build up anticipation of the ultimate off-road version of it, which debuted on the last-generation model. Plus, midsize trucks are hot right now. In fact, they’re so hot that GM is hustling to produce enough Chevrolet Colorados and GMC Canyons to meet demand. Now’s a great time for Toyota to have a fully developed Tacoma line.
Given how badass the last TRD Pro Tacoma looks, this is exciting news. Unfortunately, Lexus hasn’t released a similar preview image. We’d love to see a Lexus pickup. Wouldn’t you?
To find out what exactly Toyota reveals, you can watch its Livestream at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show tomorrow starting at 1:30 p.m. CT by clicking here.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.