After Prius, Auris and Yaris, the RAV4 is now the fourth ToyotaSeries in Germany a hybrid drive. The electrified compact SUV has now celebrated its premiere at the New York Auto Show (April 3 to 12); it will come to Germany in early 2016.
The manufacturer has not yet given details of the hybrid version. However, a slightly modified variant of the drivetrain from the compact SUV NX from the subsidiary brand Lexus just presented will probably be used - also in an all-wheel drive and a front-wheel drive version. In the NX, a 2,5-liter petrol engine works together with at least one electric motor; for a surcharge, a second electric engine is installed, which then drives the rear axle. In both cases, the power of the engines adds up to around 200 hp, with the Toyota it should be a little less, but the standard consumption will probably also drop below the five liters of the Lexus. The only concrete number that can be learned from Toyota: The trailer load - good for a hybrid car - will be 1.650 kilograms. Prices are not yet known, but should start at around 32.000 euros.
The hybrid drive is arguably the most important aspect of the facelift that Toyota is giving the RAV4 almost two and a half years after its market launch. In addition to a slightly modernized front design with LED headlights and a more revised rear section, there are also new assistance systems such as an adaptive cruise control and an emergency brake assistant. The conventionally powered models start in December 2015, the range of engines consisting of two diesels and a petrol engine (91 kW / 124 hp to 111 kW / 151 hp) will be converted to the Euro 6 standard, but otherwise remains unchanged.
Author: Holger Holzer / SP-X