TOYOTA Australia has confirmed an intensive growth program is underway for the Tundra pick-up, demonstrating its intention for native growth and analysis specialists to re-engineer Tundra in a right-hand drive (RHD) format and consider the car in opposition to Australia’s extreme native situations and hard buyer use.
Partnering with the Walkinshaw Automotive Group, which has intensive expertise in any such work, Toyota stated the Tundra might be engineered to make sure it delivers on its hallmark high quality, sturdiness and reliability attributes.
The information comes as an entire backflip to an earlier assertion from the corporate that explicitly informed GoAuto it had “no plans” to supply the Tundra domestically.
The Tundra conversion, which is predicted to be probably the most thorough undertaken domestically for a car of its kind, will observe a major in-house growth and prototype testing regime that can begin subsequent month.
Toyota Australia stated that from the fourth quarter of subsequent yr, it can deploy about 300 of its vehicles round Australia as a part of the ultimate stage of the RHD re-engineering program.
“This system is predicted to set a brand new benchmark in Australia for the re-engineering of a full-sized pick-up truck from LHD to RHD,” stated Toyota Australia in a press release.
“It would embody the adoption of key parts from Toyota’s complete international elements catalogue, together with the steering column and rack, accelerator, brake pedals and shift lever from the LandCruiser 300 platform.
“The autos might be outfitted with a brand new in-line hybrid system that includes a twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 – essentially the most superior and fuel-efficient powertrain obtainable on this mannequin.”
Toyota Australia’s vice chairman of gross sales, advertising and marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley, stated that whereas the information is thrilling for followers of the Tundra, the mannequin faces “additional checkpoints” earlier than it’s given the inexperienced mild beneath Toyota’s international approval course of.
“This can be a devoted re-engineering program, led by Toyota Australia and made doable by our international companions and is carefully supported by our father or mother firm and Toyota North America,” stated Mr Hanley.
“It would use OE ranges of design, growth, testing and componentry rooted in Toyota’s deep dedication to high quality, sturdiness and reliability.
“This undertaking exhibits simply how severe we’re at Toyota about high quality, and a RHD Tundra is not going to be obtainable on the market in Australia till we’re completely happy.
“We’re actually excited to get such a major undertaking to this stage and sit up for seeing growth prototypes on our roads and take a look at tracks within the weeks and months forward.”
The brand new comes simply months after Ford Australia introduced it could undertake the same course of for its F-150 vary Down Underneath, the mannequin set to hitch choices from Chevrolet, Ram and doubtlessly Nissan.
