One step closer: 2024 Toyota Tundra ute detailed, hybrid twin-turbo V6 confirmed in government approval documents for Ford F-150 rival

Toyota’s first 300 Tundras will be part of a quality test fleet using owner feedback.

Another entrant to Australia’s full-sized dual-cab ute market is on its way, with the Toyota Tundra taking another step towards its Australian launch.

Details in the publicly available list of vehicle approvals published by the Department of Infrastructure show that Toyota has now applied for, and had approved, the Toyota Tundra ute for Australia.

Further to this is the confirmation of some details Toyota had already flagged, including the hybrid-assisted twin-turbo V6 that will power the American ute.

Even prior to the approval, Toyota hadn’t been secretive about its plans for the Tundra, even outlining the lengths it plans to go to for quality control.

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Toyota Australia’s hesitancy to introduce new models to the market before they’re proven for Australian conditions has already been alluded to with the delay of the bZ4X electric car, but the Tundra is getting a special program to make sure it’s ready.

The first 300 Tundras to arrive in Australia will be given to customers, with drivers to report back to Toyota with feedback. The reason Toyota wants to make absolutely sure the ute is ready for a full-scale sale is that it won’t be right-hand drive from the factory, but rather converted on Aussie soil by Walkinshaw.

"There are a lot of requirements of the 300. So we have to work around that, because the 300 people will also help. We want them to tell us over the foreseeable, how are they going? How are they performing? Are there any issues we need to know about?" Toyota Australia marketing manager Sean Hanley said earlier this year.

"When the person buys the 301st Tundra, it's going to be perfect. It'll be as good as factory right-hand-drive spec as you can get.”

The Tundra will arrive with a hybrid-assisted 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, which in US-spec makes 286kW/650Nm.

Its power is outgunned slightly by its current and prospective rivals - the Ram 1500 (291kW) and Chevrolet Silverado (313kW), as well as the incoming Ford F-150 (298kW), but it outguns the Ram on torque by 94Nm. The Silverado and F-150 boast 624Nm and 678Nm respectively.

Late this year, Tundras are expected to start arriving on Aussie shores for testing, with the proper launch of the big ute to take place in late 2024.