For years, there were rumors that Toyota would build a high-performance off-road truck. Thought to be a rival to vehicles like the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 RHO, this truck was never officially confirmed by Toyota.
But fast forward to today, and the clues are piling up, and the name at the center of it all is the Tundra TRD Hammer.
On March 10, 2026, Toyota filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the name "TRD Hammer." There's no information yet on which model the name will be attached to, but TRD Hammer was one of the names included in a survey Toyota sent out to its customers.
The other names in the survey were TRD Baja, TRD Pro-S, TRD Iron, TRD Bizurk, and TRD Quake. All of them carry a tough, hard-edged feel that hints at high performance.
Everything We Know About the Tundra TRD Hammer
The brief description included in the survey read: "This high-performance truck package is designed for off-road enthusiasts, featuring an engineered long-travel suspension and 37-inch all-terrain tires. With the truck's unique wide fenders, high-clearance bumpers, and a powerful engine, it achieves exceptional off-road capability and performance."
That description sounds a lot like trucks such as the Raptor, TRX, or RHO.
While we don't have any mechanical details yet, this truck will need significantly more power than the current Tundra TRD Pro's 437 horsepower to be competitive in this segment. So where could the extra power come from?
One option is a more aggressive version of that existing twin-turbo V6. Toyota could push more boost, tweak the hybrid system, and squeeze out more performance. That would be the simplest route.
The other option is more interesting: a V8. Toyota has been linked to new V8 development, and this kind of truck would be the perfect platform to use it. A high-output V8 would instantly put the TRD Hammer in the same conversation as the biggest names in the segment.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but according to a report from The Drive, a source says the Tundra TRD Hammer could be expected for the 2028 model year. Back in July, a heavily modified Tundra prototype was spotted near Detroit. It had off-road tires, unique wheels, and a lifted suspension. So, what we have seen and heard aligns perfectly with a high-performance Tundra. And it might not be that far off.
We'll just have to wait and see!
Images: Toyota USA Newsroom
