Toyota Debuts Redesigned Tundra
Toyota has unveiled the completely redesigned 2022 Toyota Tundra pickup truck.
Designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S., improvements and enhancements include a new high-strength boxed, steel-ladder frame, aluminum-reinforced composite bed and fully redesigned multi-link rear suspension. The outcome of development efforts gives the new Tundra a maximum towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds and a max payload capacity of 1,940 pounds.
Tundra will offer two different powerplant configurations. A new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine comes standard, producing up to 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft. of torque. When paired with a bell-housing motor system called the i-FORCE MAX, the result is a combined performance output of 437 horsepower and a 583 lb.-ft. of torque. Both configurations will be mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission.
An all-new interior will offer creature comforts for driver and passenger alike, including an available panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front seats, rear sunshade, heated steering wheel and more, Toyota said. A host of new tech features are found throughout Tundra as well, such as towing aids, off-road enhancements, an all-new multimedia system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and over-the-air updates. Two different four-door layouts are available, as well as various bed lengths including a 5.5-foot bed, 6.5-foot bed and an 8.1-foot bed.
“Our design goal from the beginning was to create the most powerful, rugged and sophisticated looking full-size pickup that will take Tundra to a whole new level,” said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty Design Research. “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.”
High-strength steel is employed throughout the chassis to increase rigidity over the previous generation, while aluminum is used in key areas to help reduce weight, Toyota said. Frame crossmembers are more than doubled in size to provide additional reinforcement and rigidity. A new front cross member was constructed for the steering gear box, which adds rigidity via additional cross member support while enhancing steering input for the driver and handling dynamics.
The truck bed is lightweight and extremely strong thanks to the new Sheet-Molded Compound (SMC) construction and the use of reinforcing aluminum cross members in the bed, designers said. The new SMC bed offers added protection against dents, impact dings and rust compared to traditional steel decks. Even the tailgate uses lightweight construction techniques to reduce weight by 20% compared to the outgoing model. A tailgate release on the key fob also comes standard on all models.
The most noteworthy change to handling and performance is the new multi-link rear suspension, which ditches leaf springs in favor of coil springs.
Ride comfort, straight-line stability and overall handling dynamics are improved with the multi-link rear suspension, along with towing capability, Toyota said. The maximum towing capacity for Tundra increases 17.6% over the previous generation to 12,000 pounds. The maximum payload increases to 1,940 pounds, which is an improvement of more than 11% compared to the previous generation.
To further enhance the ride comfort, driving performance and overall durability, a newly developed double wishbone front suspension is fitted on Tundra.
Tundra will feature standard twin-tube shocks at the front and rear of each truck. The shock absorbers feature triple-oil seals and extended dust covers for added protection and durability. New aluminum forged knuckles are employed to optimize weight. To help prevent corrosion and stress cracks, steel inserts reinforce the ball joints. For TRD Off-Road packages, monotube Bilstein shocks improve damping for on- and off-highway driving.
For maximum off-road performance, TRD Pro grades are fitted with 2.5-inch diameter FOX internal bypass shocks. The front FOX shocks provide the truck with a 1.1-inch front lift. The aluminum-bodied front and rear shocks feature piggyback reservoirs to house additional oil for improved off-road performance.
TRD Pro also gains a few additional off-road attributes, including a new TRD Pro front stabilizer bar, red painted suspension parts, TRD aluminum front skid plate along with additional underbody protection and unique all-terrain Falken tires.
The all-new Tundra will offer two powertrain options: a twin-turbo V6 engine and a hybrid twin-turbo V6. Mated to both engines will be a 10-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECTi). The new 10-speed features a sequential shift mode, uphill/downhill shift logic and TOW/HAUL driving modes.
The twin-turbo V6’s aluminum block features a displacement of 3,445cc via an 85.5mm bore and 100mm stroke. The 24-valve, Dual Overhead Cam V6 is chain-driven and features Dual VVTi systems. Thanks to the water-cooled intercooler keeping turbo temperatures down, the V6 engine improves on the outgoing V8 engine with 389 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque.
The new i-FORCE MAX relies on the same twin-turbo V6 platform but features a motor generator with a clutch located within the bell housing between the engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. In essence, the motor generator is built in-line to provide additional power that is transferred efficiently via the transmission, while the engine start-up, EV driving, electric assist and energy regeneration are solely done via the parallel hybrid components. The i-FORCE MAX provides 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,400 rpm.
Several new cameras are employed on Tundra, displaying multiple exterior angles that are viewable from the available 14-inch touchscreen or the available rearview mirror camera accessory. On TRD Pro or vehicles with the TRD Off-Road package added, Multi-Terrain Monitor is available to allow the driver to check the immediate surroundings for potential obstacles by simply pressing a button for front-, rear- and side-camera views on the display.
Tundra will be the first Toyota to utilize the all-new Audio Multimedia system. The system operates on Tundra models via newly designed touchscreens and features an all-new Human Machine Interface (HMI). The advanced HMI delivers improved interaction through sight, touch and voice activation. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system features a centrally located standard 8-inch touchscreen or an available 14-inch touchscreen with improved screen resolutions.
There are two new instrumentation panels on Tundra: the available 12.3-inch thin film transistor (TFT) panel or a combination meter that includes a 4.1-inch digital multi-information screen (MID) with analog readouts. Aside from vehicle diagnostics, the new displays provide access to safety features, navigation, audio controls, off-road features and towing functions.
The Tundra will be offered in two four-door options: Double Cab and CrewMax. Double Cab models will be offered with the choice of a 6.5-foot bed or an 8.1-foot bed. CrewMax models will be offered with either a 5.5-foot bed or a new 6.5-foot bed.
The grade breakdown for Tundra offers SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum and 1794 available. TRD Pro will also return to the Tundra lineup, but it will only be offered with the i-FORCE MAX powertrain, whereas i-FORCE MAX will be an option on Limited, Platinum and 1794.
The TRD Off-Road Package is available on SR5, Limited and 1794 models, and it includes 18-inch TRD wheels (unique 20-inch wheels on Limited and 1794), TRD grille, TRD off-road suspension, skid plates, mud guards and TRD leather shift knob, while 4×4 models will also gain electronic rear differential lock, Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) and Crawl Control.
The TRD Sport package is also available on 4×2 or 4×4 SR5 models in CrewMax and Double Cab configurations. It includes the addition of 20-inch TRD wheels, TRD grille, TRD lowered sport suspension and a TRD leather shift knob.
Tundra will be offered in a host of colors that include: Super White, Wind Chill Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Celestial Silver Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic, Super Sonic Red, Army Green, Lunar Rock, Blueprint, Smoked Mesquite (Limited and 1794) and Solar Octane (TRD Pro exclusive).
