Toyota introduces Tacoma Baja Series pickup at Texas State Fair

The Texas State Fair in Dallas isn't just the home of elephant ears, fried autumn pie and walking tacos. It seems to be the new launch point for pickup trucks in the United States.

Ford, General Motors and Ram have already shown their next trucks, and Toyota brought something to the party, too. The new Tacoma T/X Baja Series models will be built in the Lone Star State and are scheduled to launch in late spring.

The Baja Series trucks get a 4.0-liter V6 engine with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. Power numbers weren't stated, but expect them to be at or near the current engine's 236 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque.

An electronically controlled locking rear differential is standard, along with the company's A-TRAC traction control, hill-start assist and downhill assist control. BFGoodrich T/A KO tires will hold the road with gunmetal gray bead-lock-style off-road wheels.

The upgraded front suspension uses Bilstein race shocks and TRD coil springs with a one-inch increase in wheel travel. Bilstein shocks at the rear have 50-millimeter pistons and feature a remote reservoir to increase capacity. That helps dissipate more heat and adds damping sensitivity. The rear gets a 1.5-inch increase in wheel travel.

Exterior changes for the 2012 Tacoma, including the Baja, consist of a redesigned hood, grille, headlights and front bumper.

This off-road-ready truck might seem a bit odd for Toyota but the company has been a part of desert racing for three decades, including taking several titles at the Baja 500 and 1000. Many of the company's TRD parts come from its experience with off-road racing.

The Baja Series is undergoing testing for application on both the Access and Double Cab models.

By Jake Lingeman