Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle.

Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle.

      Dylan Schaiterer via Toyota

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      Throughout history, numerous iconic Toyotas have traversed the desert, many under the expert guidance of Ivan “Iron Man” Stewart. Vehicles like the T100 from the ’90s etched yellow, orange, and red stripes in the memories of off-road enthusiasts everywhere. These models established Toyota Racing Development as a prominent name, and in 2026, a new group of enthusiastic engineers is racing a high-speed Tundra hybrid through the dunes, representing a sort of “TRD 2.0.” After making a notable appearance at the Mint 400, they are gearing up for their next race with a full tank, high expectations, and perhaps some grit in their teeth.

      I mean this quite literally. Few races are as chaotic and challenging as the Mint, which makes the team's performance even more remarkable. (A hybrid had never completed a lap at this event, yet the H111 Tundra achieved three laps.) I spoke with Skylar Watson, one of the project leads. His official title is Senior Engineer for Vehicle Performance Development.

      “It all began for me back in 2016 or 2017, I believe, with the launch of the electric lime green Tacoma,” Watson recounted regarding the project's origins. “On that truck, we had a billet upper control arm that started as a personal passion project. To be honest, I was looking to purchase billet upper control arms for my Tacoma and thought we should create one ourselves. I 3D printed it at home and thought, ‘We should pursue this.’ It’s tangible, it goes beyond stickers and stitching. It’s fascinating to see how that single part has evolved and how our relationship with TRD Costa Mesa has developed into the incorporation of billet parts on our trucks.”

      “I have spotted a cool AWD Corolla that we discussed earlier!” Dylan Schaiterer via Toyota

      “When we refer to TRD 2.0, that’s a term we’ve coined ourselves, but it represents a movement I think everyone can identify with,” Watson continued. “Look back to Ivan ‘Iron Man’ Stewart, Cal Wells, Tom Morris at PPI, and the contributions they made that brought Toyota Racing Development into the limelight. Iron Man is the supreme figure in off-road racing, cementing the identity of Toyota products. So we’re taking inspiration from that legacy while working on a new platform.”

      The vehicle under discussion is a pre-production Tundra TRD Pro with over 100,000 miles logged. That in itself is impressive, and considering the minimal modifications it has undergone, it becomes even more impressive. The most noticeable enhancement on the exterior is the 37-inch BF Goodrich tires, which surprised many who speculated this could be the anticipated TRD Hammer. (It is not—I confirmed.)

      “It actually transported campers in the bed,” Watson clarified. “People utilized it for benchmarking and measurement purposes. It was off the production line in Texas, but it was a non-sellable vehicle, part of one of our pre-production phases. The journey of that truck is intriguing because now it’s competing; it’s not used for various other tasks. That’s how I gained access to it.”

      These images showcase the interior modifications, primarily made to comply with safety regulations. Watson mentioned that the roll cage was the only component they outsourced; the remainder was completed in-house, from rewiring the instrument panel and installing radio communication equipment to integrating the truck’s HVAC system for cooling the hybrid battery.

      I was particularly fascinated by the setup where the back seat would typically be, although Watson indicated it was merely utilizing available airflow for the hybrid battery cooling. Another interesting detail: They had to reskin the roof since Mint 400 regulations prohibit dual panoramic glass roofs like those on the TRD Pro.

      As I dug further for insights about the Raptor-rivaling TRD Hammer, Watson elaborated on how his team’s experiences at the Mint 400 shape their day-to-day roles as engineers:

      “We have chassis design engineers, noise and vibration engineers, performance leaders, powertrain technicians, and seat safety technicians. We’re a diverse group throughout the company who are passionate about trucks. So when we attend an event like the Mint, the vehicle itself becomes a focal point for us to collaborate and learn extensively. The chassis engineer or noise and vibration engineer on their current or future projects utilizes the lessons learned from these experiences. There’s no specific Toyota standard for the Mint 400 race, but our truck was able to compete there thanks to what we’ve learned previously. We aim to enhance the capabilities of our vehicles and apply that knowledge back to truck-related developments.”

      Ultimately, “truck stuff” is where their passion lies, and it’s evident. Watson can't hide how excited he is about his work, and he frequently shares updates on the unofficial @toyota_drt

Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle. Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle. Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle. Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle. Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle. Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle. Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle. Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle. Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle. Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle. Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle.

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Toyota engineers transformed this 100,000-mile Tundra Hybrid into a desert racing vehicle.

Contrary to the speculation that this is the new TRD Hammer intended to compete with the Raptor, it is actually a cherished pre-production truck that is proving its worth.