ROADBLOCKS
A Toyota representative disclosed the automaker's quarterly profit was impacted by fewer sales and higher material costs. (Photo: Aly Song/Reuters)

Toyota finally lifted the veil of its hotly anticipated new pickup truck, the 2022 Tundra. The new truck comes with a new look, advanced tech, and a new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that puts out more power from the previous generation's V8 power plant.

The new Tundra has a much more rugged design compared to its predecessor. This includes a larger front grille, which takes up most of the truck's front end, and sleeker headlights. Inside, the truck is equipped with a new infotainment system accessible through a 14-inch touch screen.

The 2022 Tundra pickup truck will be coming with two engine versions, including a hybrid version that puts out up to 437 horsepower. While many purists will be disappointed with the lack of a V8 option, they will be glad to know that the V6 engine is much more powerful.

Toyota said its new V6 engine has 56 more horsepower compared to the current V8. It also has 583 foot-pounds of torque, which is 45% more than on the 2021 Toyota Tundra.

 

Other automotive manufacturers have already replaced their V8 engines with much more powerful V6 versions. Ford had surprised fans when it first introduced its V6 EcoBoost engine on its best-selling Ford F-150 pickup truck in 2011. The truck went on to become a big hit for the company, leading it to release other EcoBoost engines in its product lineup.

The introduction of smaller but more powerful engines comes as more automakers have started to introduce electric and hybrid versions of their products. Ford recently introduced a hybrid version and an electric version of its popular F-150 pickup, while Ram offered a mild-hybrid version of its popular 1500 pickup.

Analysts at IHS Markit said customers have slowly been accepting alternative power trains, including those now slowly replacing traditional V8s. Analysts said manufacturers are striving to provide power trains that are still capable of providing customers with what they need.

Toyota did not announce the fuel economy and pricing of the 2022 Tundra. However, it could be priced similarly to its predecessor, which is being sold at about $34,000 for the base model and $50,000 for the top-of-the-line TRD Pro model.