Toyota reveals new Tundra, equipped with new twin-turbo V-6 engine

Tundra is manufactured in Texas, and its new engine comes from Alabama.

2022 Toyota Tundra TRD-Pro

Toyota has revealed its all-new 2022 Tundra pickup, redesigned from the ground up.

Improvements include new high-strength boxed, steel-ladder frame, aluminum-reinforced composite bed and fully redesigned multi-link rear suspension — key to its maximum towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds and a max payload capacity of 1,940 pounds.

The new twin-turbo V-6 engine, made at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama

It comes with two powerplant configurations — a new, highly efficient twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine, made exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. The V-6 engine produces up to 389 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque by itself. When paired with the bell-housing motor system, called the iFORCE MAX, the result is an output of 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft. torque.

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Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama, credited the Toyota Alabama team for the plant’s ability to produce the new V-6 engine. “This is a momentous occasion for Toyota Alabama and shows Toyota’s confidence in Toyota Alabama to be the sole North American producer of the twin-turbo V-6 engine. Our team is revved up and ready to begin production.”

The new twin-turbo V-6 engine line represents a $288 million investment in the Alabama plant and added about 450 jobs, bringing the plant’s total employment to 1,800.

The V-6 engine is mated to a 10-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence, which features a sequential shift mode, uphill/downhill shift logic and tow/haul driving modes.

An inside look at the new Toyota Tundra.

Customers will see changes on the inside of the vehicle, as well. Creature comforts include a panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front seats, rear sunshade, heated steering wheel and a wealth of towing aids, off-road enhancements and an all-new multimedia system. Tundra will be the first Toyota vehicle to use the all-new audio multimedia system designed by Toyota’s Texas-based Connected Technologies team. The system boats processing power five times greater than the previous generation system and include an 8-inch touchscreen or an available 14-inch touchscreen for crisp visuals.

Two different four-door layouts are available, as well as three different bed lengths — 5.5 foot, 6.5 foot and 8.1 foot.

The new Tundra will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, like previous Tundra models, but its design started years ago at Toyota Motor Corp.’s North American design studio, Calty Design Research, in California and in Michigan.

“Because recreation and an outdoor lifestyle are at the core of Toyota truck identity, we set out to create a muscular, chiseled and athletic design that also looks like it could handle the toughest towing demands,” said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty Design Research.

The design team moved to a full boxed frame to improve capability and ride comfort. The rear frame was also widened to improve stability and towing capability. High-strength steel was employed throughout the chassis, while the bed of the truck is made with a new sheet-molded compound construction and reinforced with aluminum cross members. This gives the bed added protection from dents, dings and rust, while reducing the weight by 20% compared to the outgoing model.

The Tundra also features twin-tube shocks at the front and rear, along with changes to its front and rear suspension, improving stability and cornering.

Tundra will be offered in the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum and 1794 configurations, along with the TRD Pro, which will be available only with the i-FORCE MAX powertrain. The i-FORCE MAX is also available with the Limited, Platinum and 1794 versions.

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