Toyota Tundra TRD Desert Chase concept revealed
Toyota boosts the Tundra’s off-road credentials with this Desert Chase concept.
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Toyota Tundra TRD Desert Chase
Toyota has revealed the TRD ‘Desert Chase’ Tundra at the 2021 SEMA show in Las Vegas, highlighting the modification potential of Toyota’s new full-size four-wheel-drive.
The TRD Desert Chase Tundra is based upon the new 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, which was revealed in September 2021 for the American market.
Beneath the custom widebody bodywork, the wheel track of the Desert Chase Tundra has been increased by 100mm via custom TRD-designed control arms.
Modifications aren’t as extensive as some of the more wild SEMA concepts on show, however. Those control arms use factory Tundra mounting points and bushings to connect it to the chassis.
Fox dampers with internal bypassing are also used, which is an upgrade over the standard Fox suspension used in the showroom-ready Tundra TRD Pro.
This new suspension system helps make space for 37-inch (940mm) General Tire X3 tyres, mounted around 17-inch forged aluminium Method race wheels.
Due to the off-road focus of its suspension components, the standard Toyota Tundra TRD Pro has a relatively meagre payload of only 660kg.
The powertrain – the most powerful option offered by Toyota – is unmodified from the standard vehicle. The 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 – paired with a hybrid-electric system – makes 352kW and 790Nm.
This runs through a 10-speed automatic gearbox, and uses a 288-volt nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery that lives under the rear passenger seat.
In the tub, the Tundra TRD Desert Chase concept is equipped with important gear including ARB Tred traction boards, a CO2 bottle, off-road jack, twin spare wheels, fuel and water storage and a custom roll cage.
The ‘Desert Chase’ moniker refers to an often-forgotten performer at off-road racing events: chase vehicles following the main competitors like a ‘tail-end-charlie’. Considering how fast a modern day off-road racer is, these chase vehicles also need to be fast and competent across rough terrain with heavy-duty suspension hardware and appropriate tyres.
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