Here’s Why the 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Will Be Faster Than the Ford Raptor
The new 2022 Toyota Tundra owes a lot to the second-generation Ford Raptor. Like the Raptor before it, Toyota’s full-size pickup truck ditched its naturally-aspirated V8 in favor of a twin-turbocharged V6. The third-generation Tundra also swapped rear leaf springs for coils; Toyota even offers air suspension and an electrically locking differential. The resulting Tundra can go toe-to-toe with the third-generation F-150 Raptor in a drag race. The base-level Tundra may be a cost-effective Ford Raptor. But the upcoming 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro leverages cutting-edge hybrid engine technology and promises to be even faster.
The 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and Ford Raptor both boast twin-turbocharged V6 engines
For the Tundra’s third generation, Toyota ditched the old 5.7-liter V8 engine. Now, a 3.44-liter (advertised as a 3.5L) twin-turbocharged V6 will power every Tundra. This technologically-advanced powerplant actually has a higher output than the old V8: 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque.
Technologies such as VVTi allowed Toyota to tune this powerful engine for as much low-end torque as possible. In addition, Toyota paired the V6 with a 10-speed automatic. The resulting truck has a 12,000 pound towing capacity.
Toyota is only offering the 2022 Tundra with a four-door cab. Bed sizes range from 5.5 feet to eight feet. The 2022 Tundra starts at $37,645.
TFL Truck bought the first 2022 Toyota Tundra and beat a Raptor in a drag race
The Toyota fans over at TFL Truck have been eagerly awaiting the third-generation Tundra. They actually bought the first 2022 Toyota Tundra produced. The TFL team roadtripped the new truck from Toyota’s Texas factory back to their Colorado headquarters. Then, they immediately challenged a Ford Raptor to a drag race.
The Ford Raptor in question is actually a third-generation F-150 Raptor 37. Ford factory-tuned the suspension to best handle the huge tires and wheels. The result shaved 0.4 seconds off the second-generation Raptor’s 0-60 MPH time. MotorTrend tested this model’s 0-60 time and found the off-road racer could do 5.6 seconds. The Raptor then continued through the 1/4 mile in just 14.3 seconds.
TFL Truck’s Tundra only has the base-model Tundra V6. Yet, it was neck-and-neck with the Ford F-150 Raptor for their entire drag race. In the end, a photo finish showed the 2022 Toyota Tundra beat the Ford Raptor by a bumper-length.
The upcoming 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro will be even faster
Incredibly, the 2022 Tundra that beat the second-generation Ford F-150 Raptor only had Tundra’s base-model engine. Beginning in spring of 2022, the automaker will offer the Tundra with a Toyota hybrid drivetrain.
This top-trim engine option wears the iFORCE MAX badge. Toyota has sandwiched a powerful electric motor between the truck’s V6 and transmission. A nickel battery under the rear seat powers this motor. Toyota claims the resulting drivetrain makes 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque.
Toyota tuned the iFORCE MAX electric motor to kick in when the truck is first accelerating from a standstill. Its bottom-end torque helps the truck get rolling instantly. This motor continues to assist the gasoline engine until the moment the first turbocharger kicks in. The result is a “diesel-like” flat torque curve that rockets the iFORCE MAX Tundras to 60 MPH and beyond.
Toyota will offer the iFORCE MAX engine as an option on mid-trim Tundras. The 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro will come standard with the hybrid engine option. If the base-engine Tundras can keep up with a Raptor, the TRD Pro will trounce it.
