Toyota Introduces New 4.6-liter V8 Engine with 2010 Tundra
14 February 2009
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) USA introduced the 2010 Tundra full-size pickup truck and an all-new 4.6-liter V8 engine at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.
The new 4.6-liter V8 engine will be available on all 2010 model year Tundra models. The new V8 delivers 310 hp (231 kW) of power and 327 lb-ft (443 Nm) of torque and has preliminary fuel efficiency estimates of 15 mpg city and 20 mpg on the highway. Like Tundra’s optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, the new 4.6-liter V8 will be mated with a six-speed automatic transmission.
By comparison, the entry-level V8 on the 2009 Tundra is a 276 hp (206 kW) 4.7L unit with an EPA rating of 14/17 mpg US city/hwy. The 2009 Tundra also offers a 236 hp (176 kW) V6 unit with a 15/19 mpg US city/hwy rating.
The 4.6L V8 features a 32-valve DOHC aluminum alloy head with dual VVT-i. Bore and Stroke is 3.70 x 3.27 cubic inches, and compression ratio is 10.2:1. The engine has a ULEV II emissions certification.
Pricing for the 2010 Tundra will be announced closer to its launch in April.
I'm scratching my head trying to figure out the corporate strategy on this, and I think the new engine is probably going to be used in many other Toyota & Lexus models, where the current engine is likely limited in its applications. 32-valve DOHC aluminum alloy head VVT-i is pretty high-end...nice & smooth performance.
Posted by: ejj | 14 February 2009 at 06:35 AM
The engine is closely related to the the 1UR-FSE 4.6L V8 in Lexus models but without the direct injection system or enhanced VVT on the intake cam.
Notice this engine will come in the Tundra with 3.91 or 4.10 gears and still will do 15/20MPG. Toyota will for sure beat the "fuel efficient" SFE/XFE 1/2 ton models from Ford/GM with a lower axle ratio, but the EcoBoost F-150 will do 23 mpg highway.
Even if the Big 3 survive, Toyota & Nissan are gunning for some of their most profitable market share, Light Commercial Vehicles, during a time when they will be strapped for cash to compete.
Posted by: joookes | 14 February 2009 at 08:26 AM
Honestly, the least Toyota could do is make this thing a flex fuel ICE. That way they won't besmirch their already smirched image as eviro-friendly. Gas guzzling, huge trucks like the Tundra betray a company most touted by Greens. When they come out with big gas hogs like this - there is a disturbing silence from the Green gallery.
If you want to be fair - Toyota should take a lot of heat for this fossil-fuel guzzling, unsustainable pig.
Posted by: sulleny | 14 February 2009 at 02:01 PM
The GM XFE pickup trucks are rated at 21 MPG highway which is better than the Tundra. There seems to be a strong anti-GM sentiment on this forum but if you take a critical and fair look, I think that you will find that GM does better in fuel economy in most "apple to apple" comparisons than their foreign competitors and sometimes even when the competition does not seem so fair. The Malibu will beat either the Camry or the Honda Accord in MPG. I had a rental that I drove about 450 miles and got about 32 MPG so I believe their claims. Mostly highway but not all and on the highway I was going 70 MPH. But here is the real kicker. Why does the 6 liter V8 Corvette beat the 2 liter 4 cylinder Honda 2000 in highway mileage and come very close in city mileage? It is a heavier and much higher performance car.
Posted by: sd | 14 February 2009 at 02:30 PM
"Honestly, the least Toyota could do is make this thing a flex fuel ICE. That way they won't besmirch their already smirched image as eviro-friendly."
Good question sulleny. This hurts their image with econo geeks.
It's almost as if making a profit is one of their bigger goals.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 14 February 2009 at 05:11 PM
"It's almost as if making a profit is one of their bigger goals."
And the good Lord knows that profits and blasphemy are the same!
Posted by: Reel$$ | 14 February 2009 at 06:03 PM