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.”
