Tim Esterdahl | Feb 13, 2014 | Comments 17

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As many of our readers have probably heard by now, Autoguide is claiming that the 2016 Tundra will come with a Cummins diesel engine. While Tundra diesel rumors are a dime a dozen it seems, this rumor may have some merit. Here’s why.

The Autoguide story references a Ward’s Auto source saying that Toyota is testing one with a 5.0L turbo-diesel V-8 and that it will “likely” make its debut in 2016. The Ward’s Auto source calls the Cummins a “placeholder” for Toyota. The reason? Toyota has been working on its own diesel for years, going back to 2007 before the market collapsed. This seems to agree with what we have been hearing off and on for years.

Now, the truth is that with the pending CAFE regulations, new diesel engine offerings from Ram, Nissan and GM coming (if the Canyon will get a diesel, then the Sierra will have a diesel) and the continual demand from consumers, it seems likely that everyone is working on a diesel (except for maybe Ford). Simply put: it makes sense for Toyota to offer a diesel.

Our take? We think this rumor is pretty accurate. Jason was told earlier this week from a Cummins source that Toyota has a Cummins diesel powered Tundra in Texas.

It does make sense for Toyota to go the Cummins route with name recognition. Yet, it does beg the question why not use their own engine or one from HINO? Also, what about all of this “capacity” talk we keep hearing? If they are really exceeding capacity now, what would a diesel do to the production system? Lastly, why offer a diesel and not offer a 3/4 or 1 ton? Lots of questions to go with a diesel offering for sure.

What do you think? Wait and see or are the constant rumors starting to get you excited?

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