Toyota’s lineup at the this year’s SEMA show ranges from silly to sublime. After the utterly stupid Tundra limo
they unveiled this, the interesting and nicely done Toyota Sienna
R-Tuned. It’s a beefed-up minivan that is faster around Willow Springs
test track than a Camaro SS!
The really interesting bit here is that
the engine and transmission in the Toyota Sienna R-Tuned are both stock.
It has a 3.5-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, and
yet it is capable of outpacing a V8 powered muscle car. They say it
manages that because they have “made adjustments to make the vehicle
handle and brake better.”
In other words, they have just made
Toyota Sienna R-Tuned corner better and at higher speeds by installing
high performance tires, wheels, brakes, double-adjustable shocks with
racing springs, and a clutch-type limited-slip differential. Sounds
intriguing, and smells a bit fishy!
“When we produced the Sienna SE, we
started moving in the direction of more sportiness beyond what you would
find in a family hauler,” said Andrew Lund, chief engineer for the
Sienna at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “With the
Sienna R-Tuned, we wanted to see if we could create a vehicle that would
push the limits even farther. We definitely proved that it’s possible.”
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