For the makers of off-roading machinery, few words possess more imagery than "Baja". The Baja 500 and 1000 races are probably the most punishing tests of off-road equipment in North America, made all the more treacherous by the locals' tradition of making impromptu and highly dangerous "modifications" to the course. Being able to claim success at Baja is therefore huge bragging right, and Toyota is invoking the name for a new Tacoma special edition.

The Tacoma has been given a working-over by Toyota's performance division, TRD, and this special edition wears a TRD T/X Baja Series badge, along with those Baja-themed graphics. The truck has a beefed-up suspension setup, as well as a new set of wheels and a cat-back exhaust. There is an electronically-controlled locking rear differential, Downhill Assist Control, Hill-Start Assist Control and (obviously) Active Traction Control. Calling your truck "Baja" is a bold claim, but Toyota has earned the right to make bold claims about their trucks, so we're happy to see this edition debuting at SEMA.