The current generation Toyota Tundra has never been accused of being underpowered with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid model producing 437 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged V6. But what if you’re a truck buyer who thinks that this isn’t enough power to throw around and you want something that can melt the pavement? If that sounds like you, the company has the answer with the official unveiling of a new TRD-sourced upgrade that aims to solve this problem with plenty of muscle and noise.
SEMA Bound Tundra TRD Package Promises Performance and Value
The package itself doesn’t make any significant changes to the Tundra’s looks with the only noticeable additions here being TRD badging as well as a sportier exhaust tip. The bulk of the changes though are found under the skin with Toyota adding new dual intakes and an upgraded exhaust system. This is paired with a new engine tune and updates to the throttle to help promote a sporty driving experience.
The end result here is 469 horsepower when equipped to the MAX version of the hybrid (a gain of 32) with this figure eclipsing what’s seen in its rivals from Ford, GM and Ram with the prominent exceptions being the F-150 Raptor R and the Ram TRX. Add the kit to the standard i-Force model and power here rises to 421 horsepower. Torque remains unchanged at 479 lb-ft but the lone caveat here is that the upgrades force the Tundra to drink premium fuel only. That’s balanced out by the fact that this package will not only be installed at the factory (versus being a dealer-installed add-on) but Toyota will even throw in a full standard vehicle warranty too.
“We wanted to build on the excitement of the new Tundra platform and the twin-turbo engine – which already makes monster horsepower and torque – to develop this performance package” stated Jakin Wilson senior engineering manager for Toyota Motor North America.
How Much?
Typically, adding extra muscle and performance requires a financial sacrifice and in this case, it will relieve your wallet of $3,400. However, we think that the cost is well worth it in the long run especially if you own the beefier i-FORCE MAX model. The appearance of this package could also point to the company potentially predicting a resurgence in the demand for street-focused performance trucks. The recent wave of performance models has been primarily in the off-road segment and with this market reaching saturation, creating a street-focused offering would help Toyota lure in buyers that don’t want to get their shoes muddy when indulging in performance driving.
This could also be expanding to the smaller Tacoma with the X-Runner concept showing what this engine could do in a smaller package. Growing up in the 1990s, early street trucks like the GMC Syclone, Ford F-150 Lightning, and even the original X-Runner provided a glimpse of what a street-focused performance truck would look like and if 2023 is serving as a signal that this era is making a comeback? Consider us very interested.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.