Big and angular is the new face of Tacoma.

Looks like the formerly luke warm mid-size truck segment is heating up. First with the introduction of GM’s Colorado/Canyon twins, and now with the west coast’s perennial favorite, the Toyota Tacoma, jumping into the frying pan. Ford and Dodge bugged out long ago which leaves GM and Nissan as the Tacoma’s only competition. Check out this recently leaked teaser photo of the new Tacoma. With an angular look lifted from the 2016 Toyota 4Runner, we get another glimpse of the new design language that Toyota will build on and debut in Detroit, in early January, 2015.

Toyota’s been having the mid-size truck segment for lunch. There will be movement in this chart in the coming  years. Especially if Ford jumps in again.

The old truck was definitely getting long in tooth, and the new model’s timing couldn’t be any more crucial. The GM’s twins are looking to be very strong entries and Toyota will need to defend its turf by delivering fresh product. Toyota has been used to owning this segment but that could all change, and not just because GM decides they’re going to field competitive entries. It could spur Ford to throw their hat back in the ring with a new model as well. Even Toyotas great quality reputation might not be a shoe-in with an invasion of GM’s excellent twins and a new Ranger with the Blue Oval behind it. So for the Toyota guys, the heat is on. Look for the new Tacoma to arrive at dealerships sometime next year.

Another teaser. This time with rear end shot.