CHICAGO MOTOR SHOW: Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

Toyota has revealed a pumped-up TRD Pro version of North America's Tacoma pick-up, which could preview a new TRD flagship for its Australian sister model, the HiLux.

Previewed by a teaser image earlier this week, the Toyota TRD Pro Series Tacoma debuted at the Chicago motor show overnight.

The third TRD Pro Series model to emerge from Toyota USA in the past two years following the Tundra and 4Runner, it follows the appearance of the Toyota HiLux TRD Sports concept at the 2015 Bangkok show last July.

At the time, Toyota said it had no plans to reintroduce a TRD version of its new HiLux, which would be a belated replacement for its previous-generation HiLux TRD.

However, some of the hard-core elements seen on both the Thai HiLux concept and US Tacoma production model could eventually be made available to Australian HiLux customers.

Riding on black 16-inch alloys with Kevlar-reinforced Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain tyres, the 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro dual-cab comes with upgraded suspension including a one-inch lift kit, progressive off-road rear leaf springs and Fox 2.5 internal bypass shock absorbers.

Naturally, there's selectable four-wheel drive with low-range transfer case, automatic limited-slip differential, rear diff lock, quarter-inch-thick aluminium skid plate and a towing pack, plus engine oil and power steering coolers, a 130-amp alternator and trailer-sway control.

Manual versions score an active traction system that uses braking to modulate torque, while auto models come with a transmission fluid cooler, crawl control mode, hill start assist and multi-terrain selector system.

External cosmetic additions include an aluminium front bash plate, Rigid Industries LED fog lights, black headlight and tail-light bezels, black bonnet scoop, TRD Pro badging and a grille with heritage-style Toyota lettering.

Just three paint colours will be available – an exclusive new Cement hue, plus Barcelona Red Metallic and Super White – and, inside, there's TRD-embossed leather seat trim for the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter and floor mats.

Fitted only with a 207kW/359Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 matched to six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, the TRD-tuned Tacoma goes on sale in the US in the third quarter of this year.

The Tacoma TRD Pro will be made in San Antonio, Texas. Like most Japanese-brand one-tonners sold in Australia, our HiLux is built in Thailand.

Toyota US chief Bill Fay said he expects continued growth in the popularity of light trucks, which now account for 60 per cent of the North American market.

"Last year we recorded our best ever year in light trucks and we think 2016 will be even bigger," he said.

"We're gearing up for this growth, adding more production this year at our San Antonio and Baja plants [and] improving availability and overall sales volume in the segment.

Toyota also used the Chicago show to introduce Ryan Millen and his 2016 RAV4 SE Rally racer, which Fay hinted could preview a fourth TRD model from Toyota USA.

"Who knows, in the future you just might find some of that TRD racing magic trickle down to a special production RAV4," he said.