Converted Toyota Tundra the First Hybrid Full-Size Pick-Up

Toyota Australia has opened the order books for its 1500 class pick-up contender, Tundra. It arrives in November following a lengthy development process that included (ongoing) customer evaluations.

Late to market against Ram, Ford and Chevrolet, Toyota says it will have been worth the wait. And it says Tundra with its hybrid drivetrain will outlive its competitors as the NVES outcome approaches.

Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations, says “Anyone who refers to the right-hand drive Tundra as a mere conversion is massively under calling what has been achieved here.” 

He believes the vehicle will set a new benchmark for re-engineering a full-size pick-up truck.

Toyota Australia partnered with Walkinshaw Automotive Group for the LHD to RHD conversion of the US-built Tundra. The firm also remanufactures Chevrolet and Ram pick-ups but says the Toyota programme has been its most comprehensive yet.

This is the first time Toyota has worked with a third-party to re-engineer a vehicle. It took more than five years of development to gain the tick of approval from head office.

Hanley told GoAuto “The announcement marks the first time, in fact anywhere in the world, that we at Toyota have taken a vehicle built in a country that’s not Japan, exported it to a third country, re-engineered it with a local partner, undertaken final assembly in a non-Toyota factory and sold it 100 per cent as a Toyota-branded vehicle.”

He added that the re-engineered Tundra features components from LandCruiser 300 Series. There are two grades, initially the Limited and a new Australia-only premium grade due in Q2 next year.

The re-engineered Tundra utilises the same TNGA-F platform as the LandCruiser 300. It is powered by a hybrid system consisting of a 3.5-litre bi-turbopetrol V6 and electric motor. The total outputs of 326kW/790Nm. A 10-speed automatic processes the power.

A selectable 4×4 system with dual-range transfer case and 4.5-tonne braked towing capacity puts the Tundra’s off-road ability on par with its 1500-class rivals. It is unique in having a hybrid powertrain. No claimed fuel use figures are available for the local model.

The Australian model rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and comes standard with LED lights, leather-accented seats, a 14-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch digital dash.

Toyota said that the new premium grade will feature blacked-out exterior details and enhanced interior specification, such as a power adjustable steering column and 10.9-inch head-up display.

Locally Glacier International in Cromwell has been converting Tundra and Sequoia vehicles for the New Zealand market.

We asked Toyota whether it has any plans of its own for Tundra.

They replied: Toyota NZ currently has no plans to bring Tundra to the New Zealand market. Toyota Australia is sourcing Tundra through Toyota America and then working with a RHD conversion partner. This is not something we will be doing in New Zealand. Given our market is considerably smaller, it is not commercially viable for us to introduce products that require a significant investment to ensure they’re suitable for New Zealand. The market in Australia is ten times greater than our own (based on units sold) and therefore investing in a development programme is more viable.

We are aware that Glacier International is importing a small number of Tundra to New Zealand. They are a third-party importer with which TNZ has no affiliation.