The Toyota Tundra is an old friend at Orange County Toyota dealerships since the current model has been around since 2007. Although the Toyota Tundra has a top-rated and reliable engine, it is currently lagging behind other electrified pickup truck models.
These electrified pickup trucks have been giving Toyota the competitive factor because they provide lots of power and great efficiency.
Fortunately, there seems to be a likelihood that the all-new Tundra for 2022 could be sporting a hybrid engine under its hood. Also, the word on the curb is that the new truck’s powertrain may even come from a Lexus!
Why Should Toyota Redesign The Tundra?
For the most part, the Toyota Tundra does what it has to do. Over the years, the truck has built a solid reputation for being tough, sturdy reliable, and dependable.
Apart from all this, the Tundra has an excellent resale value, which is handy to have when it comes time for you to trade it in or sell it. However, it has been a while since Toyota completely redesigned the Tundra.
If you take a look at the 2020 Tundra models, you will notice that they all feature a 5.7-liter V8 engine that is without a doubt efficient and trustworthy. These vehicles produce 381 horsepower and 401-pound feet of torque.
Also, these trucks are matched with an electronically controlled 6-speed automatic transmission with intelligence. The Toyota Tundra is available in CrewMax as well as Double Can configurations.
Over the last few years, there has been a lot of speculation on what the new 2022 Tundra will look like and how it will perform. We do know that there will be a new powertrain with numerous potential engines.
There could be a new V8, or maybe even a Twin Turbo V6. Many customers could expect at least some trim levels that will feature a hybrid power plant. Also, there has been gossip that there will be a new CrewMax cab size with a longer bed than the standard 5.5’ bed it currently is equipped with. This news is bittersweet with elements of excitement and frustration pumping in our veins.
Last year’s widespread rumor was that the 2021 Toyota Tundra was going to give us these new features. However, chitchat among the Toyota community has revealed that we should expect these new features to appear within the new 2022 Tundra.
After hearing this news, Toyota fans were divided into two groups. One group was disappointed with the unexpected delay, while the other one was understanding and are waiting patiently for these changes to happen.
Will The 2022 Toyota Tundra Really Receive A Hybrid Lexus Engine?
Well, used car dealerships and Toyota dealerships in Orange County have told us that the Japanese car manufacturer has not yet confirmed any details about the 2022 Toyota Tundra.
Nevertheless, there have been some rumbles that have been going around since last year that the Tundra could be losing its beloved V8 engine.
However, before we panic and lose or wigs, Toyota dealerships in Orange County particularly Toyota of Orange inform us that the V8 could be replaced with a twin-turbo V6 that currently resides in the Lexus LS500. If these reports end up being true, then there is a small chance that the 2022 Toyota Tundra could acquire the LS500h’s electrified powertrain.
The reason for this is due to the fact that the twin-turbo V6 and the Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 are not much different in size. Plus, Toyota has used Atkinson-cycle engines in other models throughout its range.
Assuming that the 2022 Toyota Tundra ends up getting this powertrain, it may have the two electric motors that help bring about the Lexus’ combined 354-hp output. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that this powertrain would require a substantial power upgrade if it is going to keep up with its competitors.
How Much Power Could An Electrified Tundra Gain?
The current generation Toyota Tundra has 381 horsepower and 401-pound feet of torque from its 5.7-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine. Contradictory to the rest of the truck, this V8 remains for the most part unchanged ever since it launched in 2007. However, during the last decade, its competitors have significantly stepped up in the horsepower area.
One competing truck, in particular, has paired a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with a 47 horsepower electric motor. The total output is rated at 430 horsepower and 570-pound feet of torque. So, this puts this competitive truck at least 100 horsepower and 170-pound feet of torque over the Tundra. The only way that the Tundra can keep up with its competition is to develop a similar power output.
At the moment, the electrified powertrain in the Lexus LS500h develops about 354 horsepower and 261-pound feet of torque. As a result of this, the Lexus powertrain is too anemic to compete. This is why we are possibly going to see the use of a totally different powertrain or no electrified Tundra at all!
What About The Truck’s Efficiency?
One of the biggest advantages that the competition has is efficiency. On the contrary, the current-generation Toyota Tundra needs a lot of trips to the gas pump since it averages 13 mpg in the city ad 17 mpg on the highway.
The electrified competition manages an average of 24 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Due to the significant gap, the twin-turbo V6 from the Lexus doesn’t even come close to it. The non-hybrid Lexus LS500 consumes 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Keep in mind that placing that powertrain under the hood of a truck will likely affect those figures immensely.
At the end of the day, the probability of seeing a hybrid Toyota Tundra is slim. However, Toyota is more than capable of improving the efficiency of the rumored turbo V-6 in order to keep up with its competitors. Fortunately, the wait will soon be over as the truck should make its first debut sometime in 2021.