Toyota Tundra Diesel Options

Hino, Cummins, or Toyota Built Diesel for the Tundra?

Toyota's 2007 and 2008 SEMA exhibits featured a 1 ton, dual rear wheeled variation of their Tundra pickup with something unique under the hood - an 8.0L Hino turbodiesel. The Hino diesel powered Tundra has been the only concept to emerge despite ongoing rumors that Toyota is considering bringing a diesel powered pickup to the U.S. market. However, Toyota has been at the center of such rumors for nearly a decade and, despite publicly showing interest, has yet to solidify specific plans. Globally, Toyota offers a variety of diesel options for their cars and trucks. Nevertheless, strict emissions regulations in the U.S. present a variety of challenges for automakers.

Over the past several years, additional rumors have surfaced that Toyota could offer their own 4.5L V-8. More recently, Toyota showed interest in Cummins' 5.0L V-8; the same engine currently offered in the Nissan Titan XD. Despite numerous rumors, years of taunting, and a variety of available options, the Tundra remains without a diesel option.

Hino Motors is a Japanese based truck manufacturer primarily engaged in the medium and heavy duty truck market. In addition to building trucks, the company boasts a portfolio or medium and heavy duty diesel engines. Hino is the leading manufacturer of such trucks in the Asian marketplace.

8.0L Hino J08E-TB Quick Specs

Configuration:

Inline 6 cylinder

Displacement:

8.0 liters

Bore x Stroke:

4.41" x 5.12"

Injection:

High pressure common rail

Aspiration:

Single turbocharger, intercooled

Horsepower:

260 hp @ 2,500 rpm

Torque:

585 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm

4.5L Toyota Diesel V-8 Quick Specs

Configuration:

V8 Turbodiesel DOHC

Displacement:

4.5 liters

Block/Head Material:

• Compact graphite iron (CGI) block.
• Cast aluminum cylinder heads.

Injection:

High pressure common rail

Aspiration:

Twin turbocharged

Horsepower:

265 hp @ 3,400 rpm

Torque:

480 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm

5.0L Cummins Quick Specs

Configuration:

90 degree V-8

Displacement:

5.0 liters, 305 cubic inches

Block/Head Material:

CGI engine block, aluminum alloy cylinder heads

Injection:

High pressure common rail

Aspiration:

Single sequential turbocharger

Horsepower:

310 hp @ 3,200 rpm

Torque:

555 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm

Toyota representatives have 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. Meeting fuel economy demands and emissions regulations on such a large engine would likely curb popularity. 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 Toyota's portfolio, we expect that if and when Toyota decides to move into the diesel market, the engine will be seriously considered.