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Todd Hallenbeck5 Apr 2015
NEWS

NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Toyota debuts RAV4 Hybrid

Toyota finally brings hybrid power to its smallest SUV, but rules it out for Australia

Although Suzuki delivers the ground-breaking Vitara in 1988, Toyota says it created the compact SUV segment when it launched the RAV4 in 1994.

Since then, it has become the world leader in hybrid vehicles, starting in 1997 with the first-generation Prius, which has become the world's top-selling hybrid car.

Now, after dabbling with an all-electric RAV4 for the US market using Tesla technology, the world's largest car-maker has finally revealed its first RAV4 Hybrid, combining its two greatest segment-busting innovations in one vehicle.

Revealed at the New York motor show this week, the petrol-electric RAV is the eighth model within Toyota's hybrid model range – a line-up that the Japanese giant once promised to extend to every model in its range.

The RAV4 Hybrid will be built in Ontario, Canada and in Japan in right-hand drive, and goes on sale in the US and Japan around September.

However, Toyota Australia has ruled out the RAV4 Hybrid for local release, confirming it will not be one of the 10 new or upgraded models it will release in the 12 months from February this year.

"We have no plans to expand the current RAV4 engine line-up which includes two [2.0- and 2.5-litre] petrol engines and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel offering," said Toyota Australia's product public relations manager Stephen Coughlan.

Presumably, that means the 10 new Toyota models to be released by February next year are the upgraded Prius c, Prius v, HiAce and Coaster, the facelifted Camry, Aurion and LandCruiser, the redesigned HiLux and Prius, and the all-new Fortuner.

However, it's unclear when Australians will be offered the facelifted RAV4 range that will soon be released in the US alongside the RAV4 Hybrid, which will be available in two equipment grades.

In the US, all 2016 RAV4 models bring revised exterior and interior designs, plus sport-tuned suspension, paddle shifters and 18-inch alloy wheels for a new SE grade, and a host of new technologies.

Chief among them is a new Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) package that includes an autonomous emergency braking system for the first time, as well as Pre-Collision System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams, Pedestrian Pre-Collision System and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

The new safety package will become available across Toyota USA's entire MY16 range for $US500, but Australian availability is yet to be confirmed.

Other new 2016 RAV4 features to become available in the US include LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lights, a 7.0-inch colour touch-screen, 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display in a revised gauge cluster, 350-degree Bird’s Eye View Monitor, front/rear parking sensors, proximity Smart Key, leather steering wheel trim, revised gear shifter and cup-holders, extra USB and 12-volt outlets and soft-touch upper door and lower dash materials.

The US compact SUV segment is intensely competitive and totals more than 1.5 million vehicle sales annually. Despite being among the first in it, Toyota is currently third in US compact SUV sales, lagging behind the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape/Kuga.

In Australia, the RAV4 trails the Mazda CX-5 and Nissan X-TRAIL.

Under its refreshed exterior, the RAV4 Hybrid shares much of its hybrid powertrain with the Camry Hybrid, including a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and eCVT automatic transmission, instead of the six-speed automatic seen in other RAV4s.

Like the Camry Hybrid, the RAV4 Hybrid eschews more advanced lithium-ion battery technology for a nickel-metal hydride battery, which Toyota says is tested technology that will perform in all conditions.

However, while the RAV4 Hybrid employs traditional front-wheel drive mechanicals, it offers an on-demand 'AWD-i' all-wheel drivetrain via an electric motor driving the rear axle and engaging whenever the car senses traction loss or the need for additional stability. The rear axle is independent and does not link mechanically to a centre differential.

Toyota claims the set-up will deliver class-leading efficiency bettering 7.8L/100km, or 30MPG, although the CX-5 diesel (5.7L/100km) is not sold in the US.

“Mark my words, the RAV4 Hybrid will have segment-leading fuel economy by far,” said Bill Fay, Group Vice President and General Manager of Toyota Division at Toyota Motor Sales USA.

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Written byTodd Hallenbeck
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