New Toyota Tundra tech previewed

Yet more of the 2022 Toyota Tundra has been revealed as part of the glacial build-up to the new-generation full-size pick-up's launch in November.

This time, Toyota USA has released a video that gives us a look at its brightly coloured SofTex leather seats with embroidered logos that will be available with the rugged Tundra TRD Pro model.

Keep watching and you'll see that the new Toyota Tundra will also feature a rotary drive mode selector that includes shortcut buttons for a tow haul mode and Downhill Assist Control, plus a rock crawl mode.

Next, the video shows off the full digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver that features displays for pitch and roll between the normal speedo and rev counter, suggesting Toyota has developed the large pick-up to go further off-road than ever before.

Previous teasers have revealed that the new Tundra will get an ultra-widescreen infotainment touch-screen display that will incorporate Apple CarPlay and native sat-nav, sitting atop an expansive dashboard flanked by a chunky grab-handle and JBL speakers on each A-pillar.

Another post demonstrated the Ford F-150 rival's enormous panoramic sunroof and opening rear window.

The most enlightening image by far was when the Japanese car-maker responded to high-profile leaks by posting a full undisguised pic of the Tundra TRD Pro.

That image showed how it will ride on massive 32.5-inch all-terrain tyres and feature a LED light bar and daytime running lights within an enormous black honeycomb grille that extends down into a black lower skid plate.

Completing the stealth look for the TRD Pro are black A-pillars, black window surrounds, black tubular side steps and black wheel-arch cladding.

Beneath the all-new Tundra, the new Toyota will be based on the TNGA-F ladder platform that underpins the new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. You can expect many more of the new LandCruiser’s fresh technologies to also appear in the Tundra.

This includes what lies beneath the bonnet, with Toyota’s new iForce MAX 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 set to star, which delivers 305kW/650Nm in the 300 Series in markets outside Australia. It's expected to replace the outgoing Tundra’s ageing 5.7-litre petrol V8 (284kW/583Nm) as the big ute’s standard powertrain.

Toyota has already promised the new Tundra’s base engine will outperform the old V8, making Lexus’ new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 an outside chance for the Japanese brand’s new flagship pick-up.

However, as with the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, a petrol-electric hybrid version of the twin-turbo V6 is expected to join the new Tundra line-up down the track, and it’s possible the ute will also be available with Toyota’s all-new 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6.

The latter will be the standard engine for the new LandCruiser in Australia, and with 227kW of power and 700Nm of torque, it should also easily maintain or better the current Tundra’s 4.5-tonne towing capacity.

The Tundra will also adopt the new LandCruiser’s 10-speed automatic transmission.

It’s still unclear whether Toyota’s biggest ute will become a global model built in both left- and right-hand drive from the factory for the first time, but Toyota Australia has made no secret of its desire to bring the Tundra Down Under.

Local Toyota executives have repeatedly said they’re aware Aussie customers are crying out for a vehicle that can tow more than 3500kg – the limit of the HiLux ute and LandCruiser 200 and 300 Series – and remain keen to establish a business case for RHD production.

Full-size US pick-up trucks like the RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado are ‘remanufactured’ in Australia, but a factory-built RHD Toyota Tundra could prove to be cheaper and undermine demand for its locally converted rivals.