The 2023 Toyota Tundra is coming to Australia, but no showroom arrival has been confirmed

Toyota Spain has confirmed that it is developing a factory-backed but locally converted right-hand drive version of the 2023 toyota tundra full-size pick-up, but not blocked from arrival at a local showroom.

Today, in a surprise announcement, Toyota Australia will partner with Walkinshaw, which ‘remakes’ the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado left-to-right drive in Australia, with factory backing, to ‘re-engineer’ the Tundra for right-hand drive . hand drive on local soil.

However, despite an “extensive” development programme, in which 300 prototypes will hit local roads, Toyota Australia says “an Australian [right-hand-drive] The Tundra faces further checkpoints in Toyota’s global approval process before its retail launch can be confirmed.”

Based on development timelines provided by Toyota Australia, if the Tundra is confirmed for local sale, it is unlikely to be available before 2024.

If the Toyota Tundra hits Australian showrooms with factory backing, it would take on the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado, as well as the Ford F-150, which will be in Ford showrooms next year, remanufactured. from left to right. Thai firm RMA manual.

Toyota Australia will turn its attention to the Tundra Hybrid available in the US, with a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 and an electric motor, the first hybrid in the full-size pick-up class in Australia (excluding mild hybrid) . DT’ Ram 1500 V8).

“Toyota has confirmed an extensive development program in Australia for the Tundra pickup, demonstrating its intention that local development and evaluation experts will redesign the Tundra in a [right-hand-drive] format and test the vehicle against Australia’s harsh local conditions and harsh customer use,” Toyota Australia said in a press release.

The Japanese auto giant selected Walkinshaw Automotive Group as its partner, for its “extensive experience in this type of work” remanufacturing the left-to-right drive Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado in Victoria, with the support of its factories in the United States. Joined.

Walkinshaw will “develop and build” the right-hand drive Tundra, presumably at its Melbourne facility, ditching a US factory-built right-hand drive Toyota Tundra.

“Toyota’s focus on ensuring delivery of its hallmark attributes of quality, durability and reliability is expected to result in one of the most comprehensive development projects undertaken for a vehicle program of its kind in Australia,” Toyota Australia said in a statement. Press release.

The automaker says “prototype testing” will begin in Australia next month (September 2022), with a fleet of 300 late-stage development vehicles due to hit the road by the end of 2023.

These 300 pick-ups will represent the “final stage of the [right-hand-drive] re-engineered program”, and will be driven in “real-world conditions of use”, but will not be available for sale to the public.

The engineering program for the right-hand drive Toyota Tundra will use “key components from Toyota’s comprehensive global parts catalogue,” the company says, and “set a new benchmark in Australia for pick-up truck reengineering.” full size”. of [left] a [right-hand drive].”

Parts used will include the steering column and rack, accelerator and brake pedals, and gear lever from the LandCruiser 300 platform, which shares its ‘TNGA-F’ underpinnings with the new Tundra.

As mentioned, all vehicles will be equipped with a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 in a hybrid system, after Toyota Australia registered the trademarks for the Tundra name and ‘iForce Max’ badge for the hybrid’s US market.

“This is a dedicated re-engineering program, led by Toyota Australia and made possible by our global partners and supported by our parent company and Toyota North America,” said Sean Hanley, vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations for Toyota. Australia, in a statement.

“It will be used [factory-built] levels of design, development, testing and components rooted in Toyota’s deep commitment to quality, durability and reliability.”

“This project shows how serious we are at Toyota about quality and a [right-hand-drive] Tundra will not be available for sale in Australia until we are fully satisfied.

“We are truly excited to bring such an important project to this stage and look forward to seeing development prototypes on our roads and test tracks in the coming weeks and months.”