The full-size truck market is heating up thanks to new and upgraded entries such as the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. These models will face even tougher competition in the future as Toyota has revealed plans for a redesigned Tundra.
Speaking to Motor Trend at the Chicago Auto Show, Toyota’s North American Group Vice President and General Manager, Jack Hollis, confirmed plans for a new Tundra. When pushed for details, Hollis said the model is coming “soon” but couldn’t get more specific as plans haven’t been finalized yet.
While there’s no word on when the truck will arrive, Hollis described the Tundra as an important part of the company’s lineup. He went on to say “I’m really excited about where we’re going with that.”
Little is known about the next-generation model, but the current Tundra hasn’t changed much since 2014. Instead, the automaker has focused on variants such as the 2020 Tundra TRD Pro which debuted in Chicago with a new keyless ignition and an updated infotainment system featuring Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
While the Tundra’s competition offers an assortment of different engines – including everything from a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder to a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 – Toyota only offers two V8 petrols. The entry-level unit displaces 4.6-liters and develops 310 hp (231 kW / 314 PS) and 327 lb-ft (442 Nm). Customers can also opt for a larger 5.7-liter V8 with 381 hp (284 kW / 386 PS) and 401 lb-ft (543 Nm) of torque.
It remains unclear what will power the next-generation pickup, but there have been rumors about a hybrid variant. Regardless of what’s under the hood, the redesign could help to boost sales which have been hovering at around 118,000 units annually.
