Toyota has a specialty high performance division called Toyota Racing Development (TRD), much like Mercedes has the AMG division and BMW has its M division. TRD makes a number of upgrade parts for normal Toyota cars and trucks as well as making TRD special editions of various Toyota cars. To identify a TRD Toyota open the hood of the car and look for the TRD brand on the part in question.
Look at the exterior of the car for any TRD badges. Some of the TRD package models come with TRD badges on the rear trunk or on the front side right before the front doors. Some people also buy TRD badges for their cars once they start putting in TRD upgrade parts. Sometimes the badges come off, but a TRD shadow should be in the paint job. Constant exposure from the sun can change a paint's color. The paint under the badge will a different shade from the lack of exposure.
Open the hood of the car or truck and look for TRD bolt-on parts. TRD makes air intakes, turbochargers and superchargers, all of which will be emblazoned with a TRD logo. Toyota engines do not come with a supercharger as standard equipment, so odds are it will be TRD. The turbocharger be a standard Toyota part or TRD, so check for the logo to be sure.
Locate the VIN number on the car. Newer Toyota models will have it written on the driver side dash board, visible only from the outside, looking down through the windshield. The VIN number is also etched on the inside of the driver's side door, right under the door latch. The Toyota serial number will also be written next to the VIN number. Contact a Toyota dealership or Toyota corporate for vehicle data as to whether your Toyota is TRD.
