Toyota Tundra New Engine Rumors – A Recap

With rumors of yet another new engine for the Tundra flying about, we decided a recap was in order. Here’s what we’ve seen in regards to rumors of new engines for the Toyota Tundra.

Rumor #1: 4.6L gas replacing the 4.7L – Toyota’s 4.7L iForce engine is a few years old now, and with the recent federal mandate that all auto manufacturers improve the average fuel economy of their vehicles, it seems likely that Toyota will be forced to upgrade, update, or replace the 4.7. The rumor is that a 4.6L engine is being developed, but no one is able to confirm this. Our guess – a replacement for the 4.7L engine is coming, but it’s probably a couple of years away. Toyota doesn’t need this engine before 2011.

Rumor #2: New 4.5L clean diesel V8 – This is technically a rumor still (Toyota hasn’t officially confirmed the reports), but we’ve managed to confirm the existence of this engine with a couple of sources now. The big questions are still unanswered: How much will it cost? How much power will it produce? We expect this engine will be available late next year as a 2010 model. Read more about the Toyota Tundra 4.5L diesel engine.

Rumor #3: New large-displacement diesel – This rumor is based on a stated Toyota objective of offering a true heavy duty Toyota Tundra. While Edmunds.com reported that a 7.0L V8 diesel was in development, the recent and dramatic reduction in truck demand has likely endangered this engine’s future (not to mention the HD Tundra). Our official projection – the heavy duty diesel engine is still at least 3 years away, and 5 years seems much more likely.

Rumor #4: Hybrid engine for the Tundra – This rumor was well-founded as late as one year ago, but recent proclamations by Toyota leadership have all but acknowledged the Tundra Hybrid is dead for the immediate future. Toyota’s stated goal of providing a hybrid version of every model by 2020 seems to be the official timeline for a Tundra hybrid.

Anyone else want to share (or start) some engine rumors?