New Toyota Tundra could get 450kW biturbo V8

The next Toyota Tundra will be powered by a twin-turbo V8, according to a report from Japan, and a 450kW version of it could power a Ford F-150 Raptor-slaying variant of the Japanese brand's full-size dual-cab 4x4 pick-up for the first time.

The new Toyota Tundra will be launched in late 2021, bringing an all-new design and a range of fresh technologies, and Japanese website CarSensor.net reckons a rip-snorting 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 will be among them.

The power-packed V8 is understood to bang out around 450kW of power and 750Nm of torque in its highest state of tune.

The new turbo-petrol V8 was confirmed by Lexus in late 2019 and the Japanese website says it will eventually find its way into "large pickups and SUVs exclusively for North America".

If the report turns out to be true, a hard-core GR- or TRD-badged Toyota Tundra could be in the works to take on the new-generation Ford F-150 Raptor and upcoming RAM 1500 TRX.

The new Tundra's late 2021 launch date was leaked from a US dealer conference and although no official details are available, the big ute would do well to update its current hero engine -- a thirsty 5.7-litre petrol V8 (284kW/583Nm) that gives it a 4580kg towing capacity.

Toyota Australia has made no secret of its desire to bring the replacement for the 5.8m-long twin-cab Down Under. With its 144-litre (38-gallon) fuel tank and big towing capacity it’s the sort of vehicle Aussies are demanding.

"We recognise that even our customers are often requesting something above LandCruiser 200 Series, particularly around heavy towing, heavy van usage, horse floats, that sort of thing," Toyota Australia’s product planning and development boss Rod Ferguson previously told carsales.

"It’s something we often and always keep an eye on and study. We’d love the opportunity to try and bring something here in that segment.

"We can see in that market and understand that in that segment there’s demand for full-size pick-ups. We’re really watching that segment with interest," explained Ferguson.

In 2019, a total of 2868 full-size RAM pick-up trucks priced from $80,000) were officially sold in Australia, representing a sales increase of almost 300 per cent on the year before.

RAM Trucks Australia utes are imported and then converted to right-hand drive by the Walkinshaw Group -- in the same Melbourne facility that 'remanufactures' HSV's Chevrolet Silverado. Prior to COVID-19, the facility was working 24 hours a day to keep up with demand.

Nissan Australia is investigating a similar arrangement for the Nissan Titan and it's still not clear whether the just-revealed 2021 Ford F-150 will come to Australia in RHD from ex-factory, or if it will become available here only via aftermarket converters.

Toyota Australia has made it clear it would only sell a full factory-built Tundra here. The new-generation 2021 Toyota Tundra is based on the same new TNGA-F platform that will underpin the upcoming Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and the next-gen Toyota HiLux ute due around 2024.

Therefore new V8 engine in development at Lexus/Toyota is even a chance to make its way into the next LandCruiser 300 and its Lexus LX sibling.

The power-packed engine was originally expected to debut in Lexus LC F but CarSensor.net reckons that flagship coupe has been kyboshed – despite the fact several prototypes of the LC F have already been spotted.

One thing is certain, a new turbo V8 is coming from the Japanese giant and it will almost certainly find its way into a wide array of Toyota and Lexus vehicles.