Toyota Tundra has been one of the most reliable vehicles ever since it was launched in 1999. It recently got a place as one of the highest quality new full-size pickup in the 2021 JD Power Initial Quality Study. The company has now unveiled an overhauled version of the pickup. Dubbed as 2022 Tundra, the full-size pickup is expected to be available at dealerships later this year. While the bolder look is clearly visible, the vehicle has been updated with new technologies and will be more powerful. But the one thing that is expected to surprise many is the engine providing more power to the pickup truck is not a V-8 engine. Instead, the company is now offering two versions of a 3.5 twin-turbo V-6 engine. Out of the two options, one is a hybrid version that will produce up to 437 horsepower and 583 foot-pounds of torque. When compared to the 2021 Tundra, the overhauled version of the vehicle will be capable of producing up to 56 more horsepower than that offered by the V-8 engine. It will also offer a 45 percent increase in torque than the previous version. The normal engine will generate up to 389 horsepower. Both the versions will be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Commenting on the new Tundra pickup truck, senior vice president of Toyota’s product development office Mike Sweers said that the company has adopted a fresh transformational approach while developing the new version of its extremely popular vehicle. “We took a fresh transformational approach in the development of new version. We cautiously mull over several things we had previously done,” Sweers said. The company would stop selling the 2021 model of Tundra with an 8-cylinder engine. The reason behind this change is that twin-turbo V-6 engines have proved their efficiency in pickup trucks. Also, several automakers are drifting towards smaller engine configurations. The reason behind it is that smaller engines have higher efficiency. Ford Motor surprised many by introducing such an engine. Termed as Ecoboost, the engine was provided in the company’s best-selling pickup F-150. The engine was such a hit that the American carmaker added other Ecoboost engines to its truck lineup. The trend is getting popular and auto manufacturers are offering alternative powertrains amid an influx of all-electric pickups. Experts feel that customers are now flexible when it comes to alternative powertrains. Customers are not running behind V-8 engines and are happy with alternatives. They are happy as long as the engine and the propulsion system are providing them whatever is required to run their truck.
The company has not released the pricing details as of now. Toyota is expected to reveal these details at a later date. It must be noted that starting price of the 2021 Tundra is USD 38,420. Toyota has shared other details about the pickup truck. The company has said that the top payload capacity of the 2022 Tundra is 1,940 pounds. It will have a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 pounds. This is an increase of 11 percent and 18 percent respectively. The 2022 Tundra will available in several bed lengths and the options would be 5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, and 8.1 feet. Continuing with the trend of offering bigger screens in the vehicles, Toyota has provided a 14-inch touch screen as an upgrade. The company has developed a new audio system that is set to make its debut with the 2022 Tundra. In terms of looks, the Tundra looks bolder and offers a more rugged design. The vehicle has a massive front grille that covers the majority of the front of the vehicle. The vehicle has sleeker headlights.
