Twin-turbo V6 for new Toyota Tundra

The drawn-out teaser campaign for the next-generation 2022 Toyota Tundra has continued overnight with confirmation the all-new full-size pick-up will ditch its predecessor’s 5.7-litre petrol V8 for a new powertrain dubbed iForce MAX.

Although no details about the new engine have been released, the ‘iForce’ name indicate it will incorporate forced induction and three mouldings on one side of the engine cover suggest it will be a V6.

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 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.

Either way, the biturbo V6 will eclipse the performance of the outgoing Tundra’s ageing and thirsty V8, which pumps out 284kW/544Nm, and the adoption of the 10-speed automatic also seen in the LS 500 and LandCruiser should further improve driveability and efficiency.

Toyota says the new iForce MAX powertrain will deliver “heroic” performance and executives in the US have already confirmed the new Tundra will produce more power and torque than the current V8 pick-up.

“The next generation of heroic iForce performance is ready to power the all-new Tundra,” said today’s press release.

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.

However, given that North American pick-up buyers traditionally prefer petrol power, the more likely powertrain option will be an electrified version of twin-turbo petrol V6.

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.

That’s because the 2022 Toyota Tundra – the front-end design of which was also teased recently – will be based on the same TNGA-F ladder platform as the LandCruiser.

Apart from more engine performance, which could increase towing capacity from the current model’s 4580kg, expect the new Tundra to bring improved levels of luxury, refinement and technology, including many of the advances seen in the 2022 LandCruiser.

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