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Diesel Toyota Tundra
4.5L Toyota Diesel V-8 & Other Possible Engines
Toyota has released many reports pertaining to the possibility of a diesel engine option for their Tundra pickup. Toyota has been showing interest in the diesel truck market as far back as 2007, when they built a 1 ton dual rear wheel version of the Tundra and mounted a 8.0L Hino inline 6 between the fenders. This heavy duty Toyota pickup was showcased at the 2007 & 2008 SEMA show as a concept vehicle. More recently, Toyota has released plans to offer a 4.5L V8 diesel, which they currently offer to Australian consumers. Initial rumors lead truck owners to believe the engine would be offered for the 2010 model year. Later reports gave hope that the engine would enter the lineup for the 2011 or 2012 model years. Needless to say, Tundra fans are still waiting. Unconfirmed rumors also tell us a 7.0L could be thrown into the mix. Toyota acquired GM's stake in Isuzu in 2006 - could this hint that they want to tackle the 3/4 or 1 ton market? Could a partnership be brewing?
It seems as though Toyota can not make up their mind. Potential Tundra customers have been waiting a long time for Toyota to live up to their word in delivering a diesel. All that we know for sure is that Toyota has been quoted saying, "[The Tundra] may be offered with an all new clean-diesel option in the near future." While the 8.0L Hino powered truck was a neat concept, it was far from realistic. It would be difficult to control the emissions & fuel economy of an engine that large, and its limited operating range was meant for a commercial medium/heavy duty truck, not a civilian vehicle. Not to mention, 8 liters of engine weighs in at 1,500 lbs, giving the truck a hefty curb weight. Since the 4.5L engine already exists in the Toyota lineup, we expect that when Toyota decides to move into the diesel market, that will be their first offering. Beyond that, Toyota obviously has a lot to learn about the diesel industry in the United States. Here's what we have gathered on the potential engine candidates thus far (keep in mind a lot of the information circulating is speculation):
8.0L Hino J08E-TB
Configuration: |
Inline 6 cylinder |
Displacement: |
8.0 liters |
Bore x Stroke: |
4.41" x 5.12" |
Injection: |
Common rail |
Aspiration: |
Single turbocharger, intercooled |
Horsepower: |
260 hp @ 2,500 rpm |
Torque: |
585 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm |
4.5L Toyota Diesel V8
Configuration: |
V8 Turbodiesel DOHC |
Displacement: |
4.5 liters |
Block/Head Material: |
• Compact graphite iron (CGI) block. |
Injection: |
Common rail |
Aspiration: |
Twin turbocharged |
Horsepower: |
265 hp @ 3,400 rpm |
Torque: |
480 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
A diesel powered Tundra is likely on hold do to poor truck sales. Hopefully we'll have a diesel Tundra as soon as the economic climate shifts and truck sales increase.
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