26 August 2022 · New Car News
Toyota Tundra Australian Development confirmed!
Toyota Australia confirms the arrival of the beast!
Toyota Tundra is set to land in Australia in 2023 for extensive development and testing. Toyota has been using Australia's outback roads and conditions for the development of our cars for decades - as we have some of the toughest roads on the planet. Now it's the Tundra's turn!
Development in Beast Mode
Toyota has partnered with Walkinshaw Automotive Group, for its extensive experience in this type of work, to develop and build the Tundra RHD vehicles for Australia.
Toyota's focus on ensuring delivery of its hallmark quality, durability and reliability attributes is expected to result in one of the most thorough development projects undertaken for a vehicle program of this type in Australia.
300 vehicles to be deployed for testing in 2023
After significant development in-house, prototype testing on public roads will begin in September 2022. Starting from quarter four next year, Toyota will deploy approximately 300 of its cars all around Australia, as part of the final stage of the RHD re-engineering program. These vehicles will not be for sale but will involve monitoring under real-world usage conditions in Australia.
Key LandCruiser Components to be adopted
The program is expected to set a new benchmark in Australia for the re-engineering of a full-sized pick-up truck from LHD to RHD. It will include the adoption of key components from Toyota's comprehensive global parts catalogue, including the steering column and rack, accelerator, brake pedals and shift lever from the LandCruiser 300 platform.
The vehicles will be equipped with a new inline hybrid system featuring a twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 - the most advanced and fuel-efficient powertrain available on this model.
Stringent testing for the Tundra
While this is exciting news for Toyota and Tundra fans alike - an Australian RHD Tundra faces further checkpoints in Toyota's global approval process before its retail introduction can be confirmed.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the local company and its dealers were eagerly anticipating being part of this unique program.
"This project shows just how serious we are at Toyota about quality, and a RHD Tundra will not be available for sale in Australia, until we are totally satisfied. We are really excited to get such a significant project to this stage, and look forward to seeing development prototypes on our roads and test tracks in the weeks and months ahead."
Stay tuned for more!
Keep an eye out for future stories from Downtown Toyota as the development of this incredible vehicle continues...
