With the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon set to arrive in dealers in the near future, it's high time Toyota got to work on a replacement for the Tacoma, a vehicle whose present generation debuted in the middle of the Bush Administration. Now, we have images of that new pickup undergoing testing.

Our spy photographers picked up this heavily modified mule undergoing tow tests in the desert. It rides on a modified version of the current Taco's frame, as evidenced by shots of its undercarriage, although our spies cite the lack of riveted sections as indications that the current truck's footprint should remain unchanged.

Aside from underbody changes, this particular Tacoma featured a six-speed manual transmission, which we're expecting to be joined by a six-speed automatic. The current four- and five-speed autos found on the current truck will almost certainly be killed off. Marching to the grave with those slushboxes will be the two-door Regular Cab body style. Our spies are expecting Toyota to focus its efforts on the larger, more accessible Double Cab.

Take a look up top for the heavily detailed gallery of images of the new Tacoma in action. Expect the next-gen Tacoma to arrive later in 2015, likely as a 2016 model.

You can bet both Nissan and Toyota will be watching how well the new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are received by pickup truck buyers when they go onsale later this year. We're hearing both companies have their truck teams working hard on how to compete with the new players with their next-generation offerings. In fact, we just got this series of photos from Death Valley in California that looks like Toyota will be taking a cautious and measured approach (not that unusual) to how much the next Tacoma will change. These "mule" shots highlight a new powertrain (maybe diesel?) and a refined suspension. We should know more soon.

"We came upon a parked Tacoma — attached to a trailer — in what is a favorite hot-weather-testing zone for various automakers. A closeup inspection of the vehicle confirmed its 'mule' status with a thoroughly mocked-up interior and signs of a modified undercarriage. The test truck was packed with wires and sensors, makeshift window and door switches, and computers riding on the rear seats.

"We are hearing that Toyota may drop the regular-cab Tacoma and focus solely on the Access and double-cab models. We're not surprised, then, that it's the double-cab model we see 'muled' up on the test scene.The test truck was outfitted with a six-speed manual transmission. We expect the 2016 Tacoma to drop the four- and five-speed automatics in favor of a six-speed automatic for those that don't want to shift for themselves.

"Our sources have told us that the revised 2016 Tacoma will use an adaptation of the current truck's frame, and that information is confirmed by our detailed inspection of this Tacoma test mule. The Tacoma mule testing here doesn't have any noticeable riveted sections suggesting altered dimensions, so the current truck's footprint will likely remain the same. Expect new, restyled sheet metal and a new, upgraded interior to be the key changes. Our series of photos taken of the Tacoma mule's undercarriage reveals a rerouted exhaust snaking around some modified parts, but it's clear that Toyota is relying on a lot of the current Tacoma's successful bones to keep it competitive in an evolving market.

"General Motors is about to make the midsize truck market significantly more crowded and competitive with its all-new 2015 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, due this fall. The new midsizers from GM look to be a serious effort, so it will be very interesting to see how they stack up against a market stalwart — and eventually the revised Tacoma (previewed here) when it reaches market sometime next year."

With the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon set to arrive in dealers in the near future, it's high time Toyota got to work on a replacement for the Tacoma, a vehicle whose present generation debuted in the middle of the Bush Administration. Now, we have images of that new pickup undergoing testing.

Our spy photographers picked up this heavily modified mule undergoing tow tests in the desert. It rides on a modified version of the current Taco's frame, as evidenced by shots of its undercarriage, although our spies cite the lack of riveted sections as indications that the current truck's footprint should remain unchanged.

Aside from underbody changes, this particular Tacoma featured a six-speed manual transmission, which we're expecting to be joined by a six-speed automatic. The current four- and five-speed autos found on the current truck will almost certainly be killed off. Marching to the grave with those slushboxes will be the two-door Regular Cab body style. Our spies are expecting Toyota to focus its efforts on the larger, more accessible Double Cab.

Take a look up top for the heavily detailed gallery of images of the new Tacoma in action. Expect the next-gen Tacoma to arrive later in 2015, likely as a 2016 model.

Toyota will reportedly present a redesigned version of its not-quite-full-size Tacoma pickup truck at next month's 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

Official details remain thin, but along with a fresher exterior and a more modern interior, it's believed that the new model could introduce a new six-speed automatic transmission and other powertrain upgrades to improve fuel economy.

You might think that the arrival of GM's new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon would eat into the Tacoma's dominant position in the compact / mid-size segment where it enjoys a 66 percent stake this year through November, but Toyota believes otherwise.

Speaking to Autonews, Toyota general manager Bill Fay said the launch of GM's new trucks will spur interest and demand. “It has been a flat segment,” said Fray. “With the new entries coming in, the market should expand.”

Toyota is putting their money where their mouth is by making plans to increase the Tacoma production at their Baja California plant next year.

Toyota has released the first teaser image of the 2016 Tacoma, ahead of its debut at the North American International Auto Show on January 12th.

The teaser image doesn't reveal much but we can see the model will feature vertical taillights and a body-color rear bumper with plastic cladding. The picture also shows a distinctively shaped tailgate with stamped "Tacoma" lettering.

Toyota is keeping details a closely guarded secret but they claim the redesigned model will "once again set the benchmark for midsize pickup performance." The company also says the 2016 Tacoma will have "new, rugged tech" which will give it more off-road prowess than ever before.