LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The
fifth-generation Toyota RAV4, on the market for barely a year, is
going more places than it has ever gone before. The arrival of the
first-ever RAV4 TRD Off-Road model was announced earlier this year,
and today, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Toyota debuts a new
premium, fun-to-drive RAV4 performance model with an estimated
302-horsepower, advanced all-wheel drive, sport-tuned suspension
and exclusive design features.
It just happens to also be the first-ever RAV4 plug-in hybrid
electric vehicle (PHEV). And so, in addition to an ability to do
0-60 mph in a projected 5.8 seconds, which is the second quickest
acceleration time in the Toyota lineup, it can drive an estimated
39 miles on battery alone on a single charge, which is the highest
EV range of any PHEV SUV on the market. The RAV4 Prime also has a
manufacturer-estimated 90 combined MPGe. Welcome to a new chapter
of Toyota SUV performance.
The Toyota RAV4 Prime, a 2021 model that will arrive in summer
2020, breaks ground as the most powerful and quickest RAV4 ever
while also being the most fuel-efficient.
The 2021 RAV4 Prime will be available in SE and XSE grades, both
emphasizing athletic on-road performance and premium comfort and
style. With its plug-in hybrid technology advancing, Toyota sees
such vehicles as critical to an overall electrification strategy
that will also include standard hybrids and battery electric
vehicles (BEVs), along with fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)
like the second-generation Mirai unveiled in October.
Think Faster
The Toyota RAV4 Prime builds on the RAV4 Hybrid, which is
currently the most powerful and most fuel-efficient model in the
line with sales up 72% over last year and currently the
best-selling hybrid vehicle on the market. The RAV4 Prime amplifies
both performance and efficiency, reflecting Toyota's 20+ years of
hybrid vehicle leadership.
With more powerful motor-generators, a newly developed
high-capacity Lithium-Ion battery and a booster converter, the 2021
RAV4 Prime yields an 83-horsepower (hp) jump in total system output
over the RAV4 Hybrid and has the most horsepower in its segment.
The resulting boost in performance is striking: Toyota projects
0-60 mph acceleration in 5.8 seconds which is quicker than the RAV4
Hybrid (7.8 sec.) and in a league with luxury/performance SUVs that
come nowhere near this Toyota's remarkable fuel economy. And,
notably, the RAV4 Prime uses regular-grade gasoline -- just not
much of it.
A comparison with an older RAV4 offers a vivid illustration of
the march of technology. The 2006-2012 RAV4 offered an optional
269-hp, 3.5-liter gas V6 engine that reached 0-60 mph in
6.3-seconds, which is a half-second slower than the RAV4 Prime.
And, that model's 21 combined MPG fuel economy rating simply pales
in comparison.
Sporty and Sportier
Toyota engineered the 2021 RAV4 Prime for the
performance-oriented driver and is therefore offering it in the
sporty SE and XSE grades. The SE grade is new for the RAV4 Prime,
and the XSE is currently exclusive to the RAV4 Hybrid. The SE
flaunts its sporty attitude with 18-in. painted and machined alloy
wheels and an exclusive front grille design and front lower
spoiler. Piano black exterior accents and a painted grille/diffuser
complete the premium look.
The SE's equipment is quite comprehensive, with standard heated
front seats, 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment,
7-in. Multi-Information Display, Blind Spot Monitor, a leather
steering wheel and shift knob with red stitching, power liftgate,
and Audio with 8-in. touch-screen and Amazon Alexa, as well as
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The available Weather
& Moonroof Package lets in the sun, moon and stars while
keeping the cold at bay with a heated steering wheel, heated rear
outboard seats, and windshield wiper de-icer, while rain-sensing
windshield wipers add to convenience.
As on the current RAV4 Hybrid XSE, the Prime version of this
grade stands apart with a two-tone exterior paint scheme pairing a
black roof with select colors, including the striking new-to-RAV4
Supersonic Red. Exclusive 19-in. alloy wheels, the largest ever
offered on a hybrid RAV4, have a unique two-tone design. Vertical
LED accent lights give the XSE a distinct look, while the optional
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) with headlamp auto-leveling
partially aims the beams into turns as the driver steers.
Inside, XSE steps up the sport, luxury and tech with RAV4's
first-ever paddle shifters, along with moonroof, unique SofTex
synthetic leather seat surfaces, wireless smartphone charging,
ambient lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated
garage door opener and the largest multimedia screen in any RAV4
ever. The standard Audio Plus system comes with a 9-in.
touch-screen and there is an available Premium Audio that includes
Dynamic Navigation and JBL speaker system.
An available Premium Package pushes the RAV4 Prime XSE further
with Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL speakers,
perforated and ventilated SofTex front seats, RAV4's first head-up
display, heated rear SofTex outboard seats, heated steering wheel,
panoramic moonroof, digital rear-view mirror, memory driver's seat,
4-way power passenger seat, 5-door SmartKey system, kick-type power
rear liftgate, Bird's Eye View Monitor and yes, more.
How Does It Do That?
Toyota hybrids have for years demonstrated high performance with
low fuel consumption, and now the 2021 RAV4 Prime makes one of the
strongest cases yet. The RAV4 Prime uses a differently tuned
version of the RAV4 Hybrid's 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle
gas engine. It produces the same projected 176 hp as in the hybrid,
but paired with the electric motors, total system output equals 302
horsepower.
The RAV4 Prime's passenger space isn't compromised by the larger
Lithium-Ion battery, as it is mounted under the floor. The mounting
position also gives the RAV4 Prime a low center of gravity and
enhanced driving stability.
The RAV4 Prime's enhanced heat pump HVAC system, based on Prius
Prime's and tailored to fit RAV4 Prime, contributes to an
increasing EV range, as energy consumption for cabin temperature
control can significantly decrease EV driving range.
Electrified Traction
The RAV4 Prime employs the same version of Electronic On-Demand
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) as the RAV4 Hybrid. In both models, a
separate rear-mounted electric motor powers the rear wheels when
needed, including proactively on acceleration startup and also in
reduced-traction conditions.
The AWD system also reduces understeer during cornering for
enhanced steering stability. Off-pavement, AWD enhances
hill-climbing performance. A driver-selectable Trail mode makes it
possible to get unstuck by braking a spinning wheel and sending
torque to the grounding wheel.
With available paddle shifters, the driver can "downshift" to
increase the regenerative braking in steps, which fosters greater
control when driving in hilly areas, for example.
As on the RAV4 Hybrid, the innovative Predictive Efficient Drive
feature acts like an invisible "hyper-miler" co-driver. Using the
available navigation system, Predictive Efficient Drive essentially
reads the road and learns driver patterns to optimize hybrid
battery charging and discharging operations based on driving
conditions. The system accumulates data as the vehicle is driven
and "remembers" road features such as hills and stoplights and
adjusts the hybrid powertrain operation to maximize efficiency.
All Toyota RAV4 models come equipped with standard Toyota Safety
Sense (TSS 2.0), which groups a long roster of active-safety
technologies and capabilities:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)
- Automatic High Beam (AHB)
- Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
- Road Sign Assist (RSA)
The XSE Premium Package adds Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB)
and Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automated Braking (PA
w/AB).
Starting with the 2020 model year, every Toyota Hybrid Battery
Warranty has been increased from 8 years or 100,000 miles to 10
years from original date of first use, or 150,000 miles, whichever
comes first.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the
U.S. and North America for more
than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable,
next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus
brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous
value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design,
engineering, and assembly of more than 38 million cars and trucks
in North America, where we have 14
manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in
Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and
directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the
U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in
the U.S.) sold 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the
U.S.) in 2018.
Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights
the way it partners with community, civic, academic and
governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing
mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move,
anything is possible. For more information about Toyota,
visit ToyotaNewsroom.com.
Media Contacts:
Zachary Reed
469-292-3499
zachary.reed@toyota.com
Nancy Hubbell
469-292-4954
nancy.hubbell@toyota.com
Note to Editors: Photos and b-roll can be found on
ToyotaNewsroom.com
For customer inquiries, please call: 800-331-4331
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/toyota-revs-up-lineup-with-new-302-horsepower-rav4-prime-300961496.html
SOURCE Toyota Motor North America