Will the 2022 Toyota Tundra Have a Twin-Turbo V8?

Every which way we turn, we’re bombarded with news about manufacturers phasing out their V8s or going electric. While we aren’t resistant to change, it’s a part of life, it’s a tough pill to swallow as a gearhead, especially when it’s something you grew up around. It made the news all the more sweeter when we heard Toyota’s in the works to develop a new twin-turbo V8. Could it be for their 2022 Tundra?

Toyota has been understandably tight-lipped about the latest rendition of their Tundra. Rumors have been swirling the web about a twin-turbo V6 to replace the severely outdated 5.7L V8 that’s standard across the Tundra fleet. While some were happy, others were a bit disappointed. The 3UR-FE engine is a staple of the Tundra. Its debut was a testament to Toyota’s ingenuity and staying ahead of the curve with a potent beast producing 381-horsepower and 401-pound-feet of torque. That title has slowly slipped away.

We have no quips with the horsepower and torque rating – which still hold up by today’s standards – but it’s an inefficient motor that produces horrible fuel ratings. It’s not a bad engine by any stretch of the imagination, that’s evident by the million-mile Tundra, but it’s been surpassed by its competitors. It’s time for a change, and enthusiasts hoped Toyota would retool the V8 for better fuel figures. The rumors have led us to believe they’re overhauling and starting from the ground up with a hybrid or twin-turbo V6.

That’s until now – news broke about Toyota looking to patent a new twin-turbo V8. It set the internet ablaze with wonder: is this for the 2022 Tundra? Despite the automaker taking the electric and hydrogen route for other projects, Toyota President publicly stated that electric vehicles are overhyped, so is this a subtle flex by producing what everyone else is phasing out?

According to some United States Patent Application documents, Toyota is, in fact, going against the grain and developing a boosted V8. Although specifics are still under wraps, this should come as big news, even for those who wouldn’t choose Toyota first. While it may not convince a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge enthusiast to run out and buy one, it certainly helps to have options if your truck isn’t a pavement princess and you’re reliant on a larger combustion engine for work.

The patent application, as horrible as the renderings are, shows two turbochargers installed on the top of the engine block, indicating that Toyota is considering a Hot-V configuration for its new powerhouse. This means the engine could be equipped with reverse flow heads, so exhaust gasses are pumped upward and inward toward the center of the engine as opposed to along the outside of the block.

Hot-V configurations are typically seen in performance and luxury vehicles like the Mercedes-AMG GT, meaning this engine could be destined for Lexus’ IS F vehicles, but we can’t rule out what they’re doing for the 2022 Tundra yet.

When you read a bit deeper into the patent, the engine could come as a single turbocharger or have turbos placed along the side of the block, which would make the packaging much larger for more traditional placement, and potentially be an option in their Tundra.

Although the news is breaking now, the patent was filed by Toyota in Japan back in 2019, meaning this has been in the works for quite some time now. With the rapid acceleration of EVs globally, there’s no guarantee the motor will come to fruition. However, the manufacturer is moving forward with the patent process, so we’re hopeful that this engine finds its way into the 2022 Tundra.

If Toyota releases a V8 for their Tundra, is it enough to convince you to buy one?