Yes, the looks may influence it, but the big news is that new biturbo petrol V6
One thing Toyota USA releasing an early teaser image of its upcoming all-new full-sized 2022 Tundra pickup truck has done in the South African market, is stir up that good old next Hilux hornet’s nest all over again.
BIG BOLD AND IMPOSING TUNDRA
First, that Tundra. It has a big, bold black grille with three integrated LED light bars. Toyota script up top and a stamped Tundra badge in the camo-pattern front bumper. Add a set of TRD wheels with 285/65 Falken Wildpeak all-terrain rubber. And a red-trimmed cabin. All of which has tongues wagging all over town as to how that will influence the next Hilux look.
Well, let’s just pour water on that styling right now. To be honest, the big one is if anything, a next step on the current made in SA Hilux Legend’s styling cues anyway. Squint your eyes a bit — take the white trim of the TRD Tundra’s grille surround away and imagine it with matt black and chrome like our Legend and it’s not such a big deal anymore, isn’t it?
What certainly is significant is the speculation on this Tundra’s still secret spec. The clever money suggests it could have a V6 hybrid option, prompted by the iForce MAX logos in the Tundra in the picture. Which should not be not news to you, if you’re a regular Auto reader.
ITS’ NOT ON TOP, IT’S INSIDE!
So, while we have already had much to say about a future turbodiesel V6 Hilux, what we really like about this Yankee suggestion, is that the new Tundra is also expected to use Toyota’s fresh new twin-turbocharged V6 engine. Which is precisely what we have already suggested the next Hilux will have…
That biturbo V6 is already in showroom floors in the latest Lexus LS 500. The significantly friskier all-new 310 kW 600 Nm and 11% more fuel efficient engine recently replaced the good old 285 kW 495 Nm petrol V8 lump. Nor LS 500 rushes to 100 km/h in five seconds and returns 8.1 litres per hundred on the open road in the big Lexus chassis.
And we have good reason to believe that this is the same biturbo V6 that made its debut in Toyota Gazoo Racing’s latest spec Dakar Hilux at the Toyota 1000 Desert race this past weekend. Joining the dots yet? Well, there we go!
WHY’S IT ALSO IN THE NEW DAKAR HILUX?
Were it to be used in your next Hilux, the Lexus, Tundra and race Hilux’s all new biturbo petrol V6 may well be subtly detuned. But somehow we don’t see Toyota SA forgetting it’s there, ready and waiting. Especially considering its a good third better on fuel than the slow-selling token atmo 4-litre engine still lingering in the range. Never mind it heading to Dakar … in the race Hilux.
And that’s why that big, bold new Tundra really tells us a little more about our next Hilux, no matter how coy Toyota SA suits get when prompted in the matter…
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