Toyota has announced that the full-sized Tundra pick-up truck will go on sale in Australia in November this year once it has received final approval from Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan for the re-engineering project of converting the US-built left-hand-drive model to right-hand-drive.
The Walkinshaw Automotive Group has been tasked with the re-engineering work for the right-hand-drive conversion, and the eventual right-hand-drive version of the Tundra will be produced at the Walkinshaw facility in Melbourne, Australia. This also marks the first time Toyota has worked with a third-party organisation for such a project anywhere in the world, the Japanese manufacturer stated.
“The Tundra has been completely re-engineered by Toyota engineers working in close collaboration with Walkinshaw and uses many parts and components from other Toyota vehicles such as the Land Cruiser 300 Series to ensure the very highest quality standards,” said Toyota Australia vice president Sean Hanley.
Market launch in Australia will take place with a Limited trim level for the Tundra, and it will be joined by an Australian range-topping version in the second quarter of 2025, said Toyota.
Toyota Australia indicates that both versions of the Tundra for its market will be powered by the manufacturer’s i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, which outputs a combined 437 hp and 790 Nm of torque.
This mates the V35A-FTS 3.5 litre biturbo petrol V6 engine with a motor generator located in the bell housing between the engine and transmission, powered by a 288-volt nickel-metal hybrid battery under the rear seats. Driveline is a part-time 4WD system with a dual-range transfer case, and the Tundra offers a braked towing capacity of 4.5 tonnes.
The company has also revealed that the Limited trim level for the Australian-market Tundra will get 20-inch alloys, LED lamps, leather-trimmed seats with power adjustment, heating and ventilation, a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, a 12-speaker JBL sound system, 12.3-inch digital driver’s instrumentation, dual-zone climate control and trailer brake controller.
Meanwhile, the currently yet to be named premium trim trim level will be identified externally by a unique grille, black-painted alloys, black-accented tailgate, a panoramic moonroof plus other aesthetic changes.
The cabin of the upcoming premium-grade trim Tundra will add a massage function for the front seats, as well as heating and ventilation for the rear outboard seats. This will also get a heating steering wheel and a power-adjustable steering column, plus a 10.9-inch head-up display. Further details on the Australian-market Tundra will be revealed closer to launch, said Toyota Australia.
The Walkinshaw Automotive Group’s prior form with adapting North American market vehicles for the Australia and New Zealand markets include prior re-engineering conversions for General Motors products including the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck and the Chevrolet Camaro two-door, as well as design, engineering and motorsport divisions.
The latter, as Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU), has been announced as the homologation partner for the GR Supra which will be Toyota’s entry into the Australian Repco Supercars Championship from 2026, which the Japanese brand has committed to for at least five years.
2022 third-generation Toyota Tundra
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Its seriously funny that Toyota a RHD manufacturer at home country needs to re-engineering own brand to convert driving position.
Because this model is designed and produced in the US for the US market, or USDM. In fact, most Toyota models sold in US are not available outside US. This is because a tax called “chicken tax” in US, which imported light trucks is taxed 25%, making the selling price of a Hilux in US very expensive, thus results in poor sales. To go around this, Toyota start a manufacturing operations in US itself and further redesign new models that suits the US market. At this point, Toyota US and Toyota Japan(and rest of world) are basically 2 different companies if you are only looking at their products.
Go fix your brain. Toyota America created this Tundra solely for north america market thus only available in LHD.
US built, US market specified model, it’ll be seriously funny if u think a RHD manufacturer should sell RHD models in a LHD region market
Born in Japan but it’s home is the world. There are many Toyota models the Japanese themselves will never get to buy or even see.
where’s me v8?
Need.
ultimate beautiful. where is F-150 raptor?
Good for aussie to get RHD version of american designed gigantic size Tundra pick-up truck. Your typical Hilux next to it looks like a midget pick-up truck LOL
“V35A-FTS 3.5 litre biturbo petrol V6 engine” – this engine is a death trap with so many problems and recalls in the US … wonder why toyota is still making this obsolete, inefficient monstrosities …