December 8th, 2023
Toyota Tundra Customer Evaluation Program Kicks Off
Toyota Australia has kicked off its Tundra customer evaluation program with the first re-engineered right-hand drive vehicles now in customers’ hands.
The Tundra Insider Program will see 300 potential customers lease the Tundra on a Full Service Lease basis as part of a real-world evaluation and validation program, reporting back regularly to Toyota on their experience.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said this was an important step in what was a world-first local re-engineering program for Toyota to ensure the Tundra is perfectly suited to the demands of Australian customers.
“We know there is a demand for full-size pickups like the Tundra but we wanted to ensure that the local right-hand drive conversion and the vehicle as a whole met Toyota’s exacting standards for quality and the needs of our customers,” Mr Hanley said.
“That’s why we are putting this vehicle through such a rigourous and demanding evaluation program. Our engineers have been working on this project since 2019 and now, together with our partners at Walkinshaw Automotive Group, it’s great to see vehicles being delivered to our customers.
“Toyota has never undertaken a project like this before and we look forward to hearing what these first customers think and feel about the new Toyota Tundra,” he said.
Walkinshaw Automotive Group is currently building the 300 customer vehicles with all deliveries expected to be completed by April 2024.
Apart from moving the steering wheel and pedals to the right-hand side of the vehicle, the US-built Tundra Limited features several new or modified components.
These include the steering rack, instrument panel, firewall, headlights, cabling, harnesses, front seats, carpet and trim, with many of the new components sourced from the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.
All the power to pull
The Tundra Limited is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with a maximum power output of 290kW at 5200rpm and peak torque of 650Nm between 2400rpm and 3600rpm.
This powerful petrol engine is paired with a 36kW/250Nm electric motor generator and 6.5Ahr nickel metal hydride battery (Ni-MH) that delivers total system maximum outputs of 326kW and 790Nm.
The i-Force Max powertrain delivers extra punch for a strong acceleration response, particularly when towing heavy loads.
The engine drives through a 10-speed automatic transmission with Eco, Normal and Sport modes that is combined with a part-time all-wheel drive system with a two-speed transfer case and automatic limited slip differential.
With a maximum braked towing capacity of 4500kg1, the Tundra also offers two selectable Tow modes that optimise transmission shift points, pedal response and power steering depending on the load.
The Tundra sits on a ladder-frame chassis with a front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension delivering strength, durability and driving comfort.
Electrically-assisted rack and pinion power steering provides responsive feel while stopping power is provided by big 354mm front and 335mm rear ventilated discs with fixed four-pot calipers on the front and a single cylinder fixed caliper on the rear.
As a full size pickup, the Tundra sits on a 3700mm wheelbase with a wide front and rear track of 1737mm providing on and off-road stability.
Its rigid body measures 5955mm long and 2040mm wide2 and combines aluminium (bonnet and front doors) and ultra high strength steel to provide a vehicle that tips the scales at 2778kg3.
Premium features for comfort and convenience
As a Limited grade, Tundra is very well equipped with seating for five with a 60/40-split rear seat back. All seats are trimmed in synthetic leather with 8-way power adjustment and heating and ventilation for the front pair.
This is complemented by a leather-accented transmission shifter and steering wheel with steering wheel controls for audio, phone, vehicle setting and driver assistance functions.
All essential information is provided by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a central digital speedometer and analogue-style tachometer and a range of other user-selectable information displays.
Delivering optimum comfort and convenience, the Tundra features LED lights, standard dual-zone climate control with rear seat vents, power windows including the sliding rear glass, wireless phone charger4, five USB ports, and adaptive cruise control.
A huge 14-inch touchscreen offers extensive multimedia options with Bluetooth5, wireless Apple CarPlay®6 and wired Android Auto™7 connectivity, and AM/FM/DAB+8 radio with superb sound quality from a 12-speaker JBL®9 speaker system.
As a vehicle designed for heavy towing, the Tundra comes standard with a 3500kg tongue and ball (capable of 4500kg with appropriate tongue and ball accessory)1, 12-pin wiring harness, trailer brake control system and a trailer back up guide that provides visual and audible assistance when reversing.
A full suite of Toyota Safety Sense10 features include the autonomous emergency braking pre-collision safety system with day and night pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, lane departure alert, lane trace assist, emergency steering assist and automatic high beam.
Full service lease for simple financing
Customers selected to be part of the evaluation program are being provided with the Tundra on a Full Service Lease (FSL)10 administered through Toyota Finance Australia.
For a single monthly payment of $2,500, the lease covers all six-monthly/10,000km scheduled servicing and maintenance, mechanical repairs, replacement tyres, and Roadside Assist.
Comprehensive insurance provided by Toyota Insurance, and registration and compulsory third-party insurance are also covered by the monthly lease payments.
TUNDRA LIMITED FEATURES AND EQUIPMENT
Mechanical
- 326kW, 790Nm 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 i-Force Max powertrain
- Ten-speed automatic transmission with Eco, Normal and Sport modes
- Dual-range 4WD system with limited slip differential
- Front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension
- Ventilated 354mm front and 335mm rear disc brakes
- 122-litre fuel tank
- Electric power steering
Exterior
- LED lights, daytime running lights
- 20” Sports Alloy wheels with 265/60R20 tyres
- Heated, power folding exterior mirrors with reverse tilt-down
- Active front spoiler
- Tub management system with side and back rails and moveable tie-down points
- Towbar, 3500kg towball and tongue1
- 12-pin trailer wiring harness
- Nine colour options with solid, crystal pearl, and metallic paint finishes11
Interior
- Black synthetic leather seats
- Heated and ventilated front seats with 8-way power adjustment
- Leather-accented steering wheel with controls for multimedia and driver assist systems
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with multi information display (MID)
- 60/40-split rear seat back
- Front and rear carpet floor mats
Safety
- Toyota Safety Sense10
- Pre-collision system with day and night pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection
- Active cruise control
- Lane departure alert with steering assist
- Lane trace assist
- Automatic high beam
- Blind spot monitor
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Panoramic view monitor
- Four front and four rear parking sensors
- ABS, vehicle stability and traction control
- Trailer brake controller
- Trailer reversing guide
- Eight airbags
- Two rear ISOFIX points
Comfort and convenience
- Dual zone climate control with rear vents
- Smart entry and start
- Automatic lights
- 5 x USB ports and 1 x 12V accessory socket
- Wireless phone charger4
- Power windows and back glass
- Door pockets with bottle holders
Infotainment / Multimedia
- 14.0-inch touchscreen
- 12-speaker JBL®9 audio system
- AM/FM/DAB+8 radio
- Bluetooth®5 compatibility
- Wireless Apple CarPlay®6 / wired Android Auto™7 compatibility
TUNDRA LIMITED SPECIFICATIONS
| TUNDRA 4×4 FULL-SIZE PICKUP | |
| DIMENSIONS2 | |
| Length | 5955mm |
| Width | 2040mm |
| Height | 1985mm |
| Wheelbase | 3700mm |
| Front/rear tracks | 1737mm |
| Angle of Approach | 23 degrees |
| Angle of Departure | 21 degrees |
| Kerb weight (max)3 | 2778kg |
| Payload (max)3 | 758Kg |
| GVM3 | 3536kg |
| GCM3 | 7825kg |
| Ground clearance (unladen)2 | 216mm |
| Towing unbraked1 | 750kg |
| Towing braked1 | 4500kg |
| Fuel tank | 122 litres |
| ENGINE | |
| Type | V35A-FTS |
| Cylinders | V6 |
| Valve mechanism | 24V DOHC chain drive |
| Bore x Stroke | 85.5.0mm x 100.0mm |
| Displacement | 3445cm3 |
| Compression ratio | 10.4:1 |
| Fuel system | Port and direct injection |
| Octane number | 95 RON |
| Maximum power | 290kW @ 5200rpm |
| Maximum torque | 650Nm @ 2400-3600rpm |
| i-FORCE MAX SYSTEM | |
| Combined maximum power output | 326kW |
| Combined maximum torque output | 790Nm |
| Electric motor generator | Permanent magnet synchronous motor |
| MG1 maximum power | 36kW |
| MG1 maximum torque | 250Nm |
| Hybrid battery type | Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) |
| Hybrid battery capacity | 6.5Ahr |
| TRANSMISSION | |
| Type | 10-speed electronically controlled automatic |
| Designation | L4A0F |
| 1st | 4.923 |
| 2nd | 3.257 |
| 3rd | 2.349 |
| 4th | 1.944 |
| 5th | 1.532 |
| 6th | 1.193 |
| 7th | 1.000 |
| 8th | 0.801 |
| 9th | 0.661 |
| 10th | 0.613 |
| Reverse | 4.307 |
| Final Drive | 3.307 |
| CHASSIS | |
| Front suspension | Double wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Multi-link |
| Steering gear | Rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Electric |
| Brakes (front) | Ventilated disc: 354mm with fixed 4-cylinder calliper |
| Brakes (rear) | Ventilated disc: 335mm with floating 1 cylinder calliper |
| Wheels and tyres | 20-inch alloy, 265/60 R20 Bridgestone tyres |
…ends/
1 Towing capacity subject to regulatory requirements, and vehicle & equipment design limitations.
2 Dimensions are approximate and are subject to individual vehicle variances, accessory fitment and weight carried.
3 Weights/mass/volumes/dimensions are approximate and subject to individual vehicle variances, and should be confirmed before fitting any accessories, towing or otherwise relying on this value.
4 Only Qi-supported devices compatible. Refer to device manufacturer. May require additional purchase of accessory to support wireless charging.
5 Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Compatibility and functionality varies depending on device.
6 CarPlay® is a trademark of Apple, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Requires compatible device, USB connection, or wireless Bluetooth® connection, mobile data, network reception & GPS signal. Mobile usage at user’s cost. Apps subject to change. For details see toyota.com.au/connected.
7 Android AutoTM is a trademark of Google LLC. Requires compatible device, USB connection, mobile data, network reception & GPS signal. Mobile usage at user’s cost. Apps subject to change. For details see toyota.com.au/connected.
8 Coverage varies based on vehicle location.
9 Product & company names are trademarks of their respective owners.
10 Driver assist feature. Only operates under certain conditions. Check your Owner’s Manual for explanation of limitations. Please drive safely.
11 Toyota Australia reserves the right to vary or discontinue the current interior and exterior colours, trims and colour/trim/model combinations.