Hybrid Toyota Tundra

[v8Toilet]

Who would like to see a hybrid Toyota Tundra! The Toyota Prius has an electric motor that has 295 lb. ft. of torque at 0 rpm. The hybrid motor in the Prius almost rivals the 315 lb. ft. of torque @ 3400 rpm of the I-force V8 at its peak. If Toyota made a hybrid Tundra V8 or even V6 the performance would be as good or better and the gas mileage would be much higher. Would you guys buy one if Toyota made one?

[lelandstanford]

After a demo ride in a Prius. Yes.

But I would like to see the main elector motor/generator to be 2 identical motors/generators driving both front wheels.

[bloodypulp]

if they put the electrics in back, yes.
a Tundra with electric AWD and a CVT would be awesome. but I think the Lexus RX is going to get that soon.

[KLS]

295 ft-lb @ 0 rpm is near worthless. It'll get you started great from a stop, but then what do you have when the rpms rise?

A hybrid power plant can be made to put out any amount of power at any rpm you want, but the cost and weight might be a big problem.

What would be the endurance of the electric assist? I need one that will give full power all the way up a long hill at 60+ mph while towing a max weight trailer, 11,800# combined truck and trailer weight...and fully recharges on the downhill before the next uphill.


Ken

[mandzach]

v8 after looking at your multimedia i would rather see toyota build a hybrid diesel tundra so i can propane inject the son of a b1tch and rock and roll 12 sec 1/4 miles and when wanted get great mileage.

[lelandstanford]

Originally Posted by KLS

295 ft-lb @ 0 rpm is near worthless. It'll get you started great from a stop, but then what do you have when the rpms rise?

A hybrid power plant can be made to put out any amount of power at any rpm you want, but the cost and weight might be a big problem.

What would be the endurance of the electric assist? I need one that will give full power all the way up a long hill at 60+ mph while towing a max weight trailer, 11,800# combined truck and trailer weight...and fully recharges on the downhill before the next uphill.


Ken

It's actually 295 lb.-ft. @ 0-1,200 rpm..

[lelandstanford]

The Hybrid Highlander with 4WD-i has electric motor(s) driving the rear wheels.

Toyota IS way ahead of its competitors in hybrid technology.

[DevinSixtySeven]

for an on-road hauler, yes, i'd buy one. for running around offroad, well...it could be made to work, even better than solid axles and lockers, but it would require a lot more brainpower to mod for offroad than a couple sprung sticks with round things on the end.
i'm curious to see what they'll come up with, i'd be very interested in a hybrid tundra, particularly if it could be modified to keep pace offroad as well.

-s

[Steelshot]

I don't tow much, and only light stuff when I do. So, yes, I would take a look at a hybrid Tundra. Even my off-road excursions are pretty tame so the idea of a pickup thats capable of 26-30 mpg is very appealing. I for one hope they go for it.

[H2O_MAN]

From what I gather they plan to use a larger than 4.7L gas V8 and a very powerful electric motor.
30+ mpg with a bunch of torque works for me


Last I read it (FTX) will go on sale late in '06/early '07

[file014]

Originally Posted by 7.62mm

From what I gather they plan to use a larger than 4.7L gas V8 and a very powerful electric motor.
30+ mpg with a bunch of torque works for me


Last I read it (FTX) will go on sale late in '06/early '07

The highlander will get projected 28 mpg combined city/highway. Im not sure if that is 4wd or FWD. Yeah its 270hp and a ton of torque, but thats not very good gas mileage for a hybrid. Its a highlander and I doubt the frame (unibody?) can handle using all that HP for towing. A prius is getting 60/51 mpg. I expected 40+ out of a V6 hybrid. I expected 28 out of a V8 hybrid. I get up to 28 mpg in my V6 (170 hp) chevy malibu. And its got low end push rod torque. Like I read in another thread, its gonna take a lot of driving for the added cost of the hybrid highlander to offset the savings in gas $$$. So I think it remains a vehicle for tree huggers.

[Agent WD-40]

Originally Posted by file014

The highlander will get projected 28 mpg combined city/highway. Im not sure if that is 4wd or FWD. Yeah its 270hp and a ton of torque, but thats not very good gas mileage for a hybrid. Its a highlander and I doubt the frame (unibody?) can handle using all that HP for towing. A prius is getting 60/51 mpg. I expected 40+ out of a V6 hybrid. I expected 28 out of a V8 hybrid. I get up to 28 mpg in my V6 (170 hp) chevy malibu. And its got low end push rod torque. Like I read in another thread, its gonna take a lot of driving for the added cost of the hybrid highlander to offset the savings in gas $$$. So I think it remains a vehicle for tree huggers.

I agree with you on the price. It is not going to pay for itself in saved gas. That is not how that vehicle is tuned though. It is tuned for power over economy. I imagine they could have done better MPG but will less power. They probably figure that your average SUV buyer will value more power over extreme economy.

Personally I think the 28 MPG is awesome. The fact that it is tuned for power is also neat IMO. I think they have the right idea. Now all they need to do is put it in a vehicle I'm actually interested in. Personally I would rather have the great power the hybrid highlander offers at 28 MPG than some anemic amount of power (or even the same power it has now) but with 40+ mpg. I think your reasoning is correct, for the money gas mileage alone (even 40+) is not worth it. That is why they sweetened the deal with extra power.

The highlander is based on the Camry, which makes it unibody.

[jjc]

Did someone say hybrid? I have got a great picture of Toyota hybrid in my photos (the green one), that is the type of Toyota hybrid that will be sitting in my shop soon! Fuel efficient, road friendly 40" Boggers, and oh so beautiful and just look how limber she is!