Toyota confirms three new RAV4 engines

Toyota Australia has confirmed the local engine line-up for its fourth-generation RAV4, which made its global public debut in Los Angeles overnight and will go on sale here in February.

As expected, the next RAV4 will be the first one available here with a diesel engine, and Toyota has promised it will consume less than 6.0L/100km and emit less than 150g/km of CO2, putting it in the same ballpark as Mazda’s benchmark-setting CX-5 diesel (5.7L/100km).

However, Toyota says the sub-6.0L/100km combined fuel consumption figure applies only when the new 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel is matched with a manual transmission (the CX-5 diesel comes only with a six-speed auto here) and is subject to local ADR 81/02 testing.

While Toyota Australia says the first RAV4 diesel will offer 200Nm of torque “just above idle” and “well in excess of 300Nm” in total (expect outputs of 110kW and 340Nm), it has also confirmed the 2013 RAV4 will be launched here with new 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engines.

Almost identical to those in the 133kW/231Nm 2.5-litre Camry Altise and the 102kW/189Nm 2.0-litre Corolla Ultima sedan, both petrol engines incorporate dual intelligent variable valve timing (VVT-i) to deliver “high performance, good fuel economy, low emissions and smooth, quiet operation”.

All three engines will come standard with a six-speed manual transmission and, while the 2.2-litre diesel and 2.5-litre petrol engines will also be available with new six-speed automatic transmissions, the entry-level 2.0-litre petrol engine will be offered with Toyota’s MultiDrive Sport continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with seven-speed sequential manual mode.

Expect the larger engines to be matched with all-wheel drive, and the base 2.0-litre engine to be offered only in an entry-level sub-$30,000 front-wheel drive variant.

As we saw from a series of leaked images earlier this week, the new RAV comes wrapped in a sportier new skin with a wedgier profile and smoother new Corolla-style front-end, but Toyota also says the replacement for its popular mid-size crossover will also bring improved dynamics, refinement, packaging and value.

It will also be easier to un/load, thanks to the repositioning of its spare wheel for the first time - from the rear door to underneath its rear-end – which also allows the new RAV to feature a more common roof-hinged tailgate.

Other new RAV4 features are claimed to include a better driving position, improved front and rear vision and a more rigid body protected by seven airbags, while upstream models will offer a power-operated tailgate, blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers and an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror.

As we've reported, the new Toyota SUV is expected to grow in size from its current 4625mm long, so despite sitting on the same 2660mm wheelbase it should offer more room for rear seat passengers, and potentially more boot space too.

“The exterior design is particularly striking, with a more muscular silhouette that expresses RAV4's inner strength and sporty nature,” said Toyota Australia Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Matthew Callachor.

“It will attract young singles, couples and families looking for a spacious vehicle that accommodates their needs and can be driven on a wide variety of road conditions.

“The performance and economy of the three new engines are integral to the overall RAV4 package that includes advances in agility and handling.

“These and other attributes of the next-generation model will expand the appeal of a vehicle that has been a hit in Australia with almost 200,000 sales since the first-generation RAV4 was launched in 1994,” said Mr Callachor.

The new RAV will compete against a number of new SUVs, including the Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander, as well as the replacement for Subaru's popular Forester (due on sale in January) and Mazda's top-selling CX-5.

Sales of the outgoing RAV4 are up 17.2 per cent in a mainstream mid-size SUV segment that is up 22.2 per cent. After leading the segment for years, the RAV4 was last year narrowly outsold by Subaru’s Forester and has so far this year proved less popular than the Nissan X-Trail and Mazda CX-5.

Unlike the existing RAV4, the new model will not be available here with a V6 petrol engine, and nor will North America’s hybrid version be seen in local showrooms.

More news and coverage of the 2012 LA Motor Show

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…