Toyota Alabama’s twin-turbo V-6 hybrid i-Force Max engine has been chosen to power the 2023 Sequoia, the third generation of the three-row SUV.
First unveiled last fall on the Tundra, the engine produces 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft. of torque. The motor isn’t just big on power, either. Its engineered powertrain features a motor generator within the bell housing between the twin-turbo engine and the 10-speed automatic transmission that provides maximum performance with efficiency.
The engine provides the Sequoia with several options, including the adaptive suspension settings that include Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport S+ and Custom. When using the Sport or Sport S+ settings, the i-Force Max powertrain makes use of the electric motor’s responsiveness. While the electric motor does most of the work at lower speeds, once above 18 mph, the gasoline engine assumes primary operation for excellence performance in the mid- and high-speed ranges. When in the tow/haul mode, the i-Force Max system is constantly in tandem operation to provide acceleration and torque for towing needs.
Toyota Alabama, in Huntsville, was selected as the exclusive builder of the V-6 twin-turbo i-Force Max engine for North America. To accommodate adding the engine, the Toyota Alabama plant was expanded for a seventh time since its start, a $1.2 billion investment in the state so far. The i-Force Max line addition was a $288 million investment. The plant can now produce up to 900,000 engines a year.
The twin-turbo V6 production line is 142 yards long, the longest for Toyota in North America. The plant employs 1,800 team members.