Edmunds is reporting that Toyota has a 7.0-liter V-8 diesel in the works to power a new heavy-duty version of the Tundra pickup by 2012.
Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe told the media during the 2008 Detroit Auto Show that
the company plans to produce a clean diesel for the Tundra in the near
future. This news has been assumed to mean the current light-duty Tundra
will receive a U.S. spec version of the twin turbo 'D-4D' 4.5-liter
V-8 diesel, used overseas in the Toyota Land Cruiser SUV. The Land
Cruiser shares the same platform as the Tundra. The 4.5-liter V-8 is
built by Toyota subsidiary Hino.
News of the 7.0-liter V-8 appears to indicate Toyota's on-again, off-again three-quarter and one-ton truck program is moving forward once more.
Toyota teased
heavy duty truck enthusiasts last year at the 2007 SEMA show with its
diesel-powered Tundra
heavy-duty "project vehicle" (pictured
at top), stating the giant dual rear wheel show truck was not an indication
that Toyota wanted to enter the HD segment.
