First look at 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

Toyota has continued to tease its next-gen 2022 Toyota Tundra by releasing an official image of its sportiest Tundra TRD Pro in response to high-profile leaks.

Sadly, no further details were released, but it's already known even the flagship Tundra TRD Pro version will ditch its predecessor’s 5.7-litre petrol V8 for a new powertrain dubbed iForce MAX.

That means the new Toyota Tundra, which could be officially sold in Australia for the first time, is almost certain to adopt the same 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that will power the new 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series in markets outside Australia.

In the new LandCruiser, it generates a lusty 305kW of power and 650Nm of torque, while the same engine in the Lexus LS 500 limousine is tuned for power rather than torque with outputs of 310kW/600Nm.

That's a significant uplift on the old V8 that could only manage 284kW/544Nm, while the biturbo V6 will be matched with a 10-speed automatic also seen in the LS 500 and LandCruiser that should further improve driveability and efficiency.

Toyota is expected to reveal more details about the new Tundra soon, before it goes on sale in the US by the end of this year, including a second engine option.

It’s possible Toyota will deploy its even newer twin-turbo V6 – the 227kW/700Nm diesel unit that will power Australia’s new LandCruiser – in the new Tundra.

Alternatively, Toyota could simply adapt the non-turbo 264kW 3.5-litre V6 hybrid system from the Lexus LS 500h. Whichever way it goes, the same V6 petrol-electric powertrain will eventually also be offered in the 300 Series – which uses the same TNGA-F ladder platform as Tundra.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra has not been confirmed for Australia, but it remains under evaluation for our market.

Toyota Australia has made no secret about its desire to satisfy demand from local customers for a vehicle that will tow more than the 3500kg capacity of the HiLux and LandCruiser.

It previously said it was working on a business case to bring the all-new Tundra to Australia, where it would be the Japanese brand’s first direct rival for the RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado.

Unlike them, however, the Tundra would not be locally ‘remanufactured’ by an authorised contractor but produced in right-hand drive form in the US, so we presume the RHD Tundra business case depends on sales volumes projected in RHD markets outside Australia too.

Stay tuned for more details.

Computer-generated image: Nikita Chukto via Kolesu.ru