Toyota working on RAV4 Hybrid?
With well over a million hybrid vehicles sold in the United States alone, Toyota is currently sitting pretty as the undeniable world leader in gas/electric vehicles, and the 2010 Prius looks ready to cement that image even further. It's no secret that the Japanese automaker has big plans in store for its hybrid technology – it's repeatedly stated that it plans to offer hybrid versions of every model it makes. Therefore, news that the automaker is working on a hybrid RAV4 shouldn't come as a surprise.
Speaking to media at the Shanghai Motor Show, Koei Saga, Toyota managing officer of hybrid system development, has suggested that a RAV4 Hybrid should be offered in China "as soon as possible," and it seems likely that the model would make it into other large markets like the United States as well.
[Source: Hybrid Cars]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hank 6:14PM (4/23/2009)
About time. I know the Highlander was probably chosen first because of price-point/profit margins, but the RAV4 should have been the first SUV in the Toyota line-up to go hybrid. Now if they'd just get an MPV/minivan for families that need 3rd rows and 30+ mpg.
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SteveCT 7:09PM (4/23/2009)
Retarded. They already built the Rav4 EV, and people loved it. Toyota's obsession with hybrids is beyond my comprehension.
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downtoearth 8:46PM (4/23/2009)
SteveCT:
> Retarded. They already built the Rav4 EV, and people loved it.
I'm afraid you present a seriously unrealistic point of view.
Even Wikipedia says that ONLY SOME Rav4 EV manaded to clock 150.000 miles. So likely the majority failed to deliver this kind of mileage.
Wikipedia quoted 2007 battery price as 26.000 USD.
Then the car 0-60 was about 18 seconds. OK in ordinary conditions but any rapid maneuvers or faster overtaking were impossible.
You likely read a few stories from some EV fanatics and die-hards and project their point of view on entire fleet of Rav4 EVs.
Don't believe into those conspiracy theories too. If the car had worked, Toyota would have been building it.
> Toyota's obsession with hybrids is beyond my comprehension.
Sorry but hybrids are the most fuel efficient and leas polluting vehicles widely available now. Virtually every car should be a hybrid.
sodajerk 10:19PM (4/23/2009)
I've been waiting for this or Honda's CRV in hybrid format for a long time. We bought a 2006 Highlander because it was the most compact, 4WD, 7-passenger vehicle available (city parking spots). The hybrid powertrain fulfilled our desire to get good gas mileage.
While our need for third row seating has diminished, our desire to have a 4WD utility vehicle that offers good gas mileage has not. We've always felt the Highlander Hybrid was overpowered and that mating a 4 cylinder engine with a 4WD utility vehicle would be perfect for us.
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marz 11:37PM (4/23/2009)
The new 1.8L Prius powerplant would be adequate, & deliver outrageous MPG in a roomy vehicle. Plenty of room in back for extra large capacity pack too! Plug-in please while you're at it! That would be my ideal vehicle, unless the Tesla S actually materailizes under $50K.
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MikeW 8:49AM (4/24/2009)
Toyota hasn't even put the 6 speed auto into the RAV4.
If Toyota really wants better mileage, besides putting the 6 speed auto with the 3.5 V6 & 2.5 I4, then drop the V6 and use 2.5 & 2.7 I4 engines.
and when will Toyota bring over the valvematic engines 1,2,3 zf-fae
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downtoearth 9:55AM (4/24/2009)
MikeW 8:49AM (4/24/2009)
> Toyota hasn't even put the 6 speed auto into the RAV4.
> If Toyota really wants better mileage, besides putting the
> 6 speed auto with the 3.5 V6 & 2.5 I4, then drop the V6
> and use 2.5 & 2.7 I4 engines.
> and when will Toyota bring over the valvematic engines 1,2,3 zf-fae
Currently in Europe Toyota offers 6-speed automatic gearbox with a diesel version of its RAV4 (150HP, hydrocarbon consumption measure: 189 g C02/km in ECE driving cycle) and a Valvematic 2.0 gasoline engine paired with Multitronic-S CVT (158HP, 177 g CO2/km in ECE). The CVT increases fuel efficiency when compared with 6-speed manual but very insignificantly.
bebop 12:44PM (4/24/2009)
The first company that puts out a compact, AWD-hybrid will get my money. Bring it on Toyota!
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Sasparilla 2:55PM (4/24/2009)
Toyota will sell all of them they can make (providing they make them with the target being efficiency - and not power ala the Highlander Hybrid). An efficient small SUV, people will snap them up.
Honda could have owned this marketplace as well, its amazing these guys have waited this long.
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