Toyota teases next RAV4
First official image and video of redesigned RAV4 released as Toyota confirms LA debutToyota has released the first official teaser image and video of its fourth-generation RAV4, which has now been formally confirmed to make its world debut at the Los Angeles motor show on November 28.
While the video and tightly cropped shot of the new RAV’s tailgate spoiler give little away, spy shots as long ago as July have showed the next RAV4 will follow the route of Toyota’s new Corolla hatchback in being radically sportier, with more aggressive frontal styling and a more pronounced wedge shape to its side profile.
“As the preview image and video indicate, the top-selling medium SUV's exterior has been boldly redesigned to create a striking, athletic stance,” says Toyota.
The Japanese brand has released further details at this stage, but as we reported two weeks ago, the all-new RAV4 will arrive in Australia in February offering diesel power for the first time.
While the petrol V6 version will be discontinued from the top of the RAV4 range here, entry-level front-wheel drive variants will be powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine matched to a CVT automatic transmission for the first time, with all-wheel drive variants likely offering the option of a 2.2-litre diesel or the same 2.5-litre petrol four that resides under the bonnet of the locally-manufactured Camry.
The 2.2-litre diesel will be auto-only and will develop 110kW/340Nm. Combined-cycle fuel consumption is believed to be around 6.0L/100km and the automatic transmission fitted will be a six-speeder. Six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes will also be available with 2.5-litre petrol models, consigning the current model’s outdated four-speed auto to history.
There will be a petrol-electric hybrid version of the RAV4 for the first time – but not for Australia, where the diesel will make it redundant.
The new RAV is expected to be larger in all key dimensions except height, at about 4500mm long, 1815mm wide and 1660mm high. Despite riding on the same 2660mm wheelbase, the new RAV4 is expected to offer more rear legroom.
New-to RAV4 features are expected to include automatic climate-control air-conditioning, a digital video entertainment system and metal interior highlights, with the global options list also likely to comprise powered front seats, sunroof and shift paddles.
The redesigned version of Toyota’s smallest SUV will hit Australia within weeks of Subaru’s new Forester, replacing models that have in recent times been outsold by Mazda’s new CX-5 and Nissan’s still-dominant X-TRAIL.
Toyota said it will unveil the 2013 RAV in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center at 9:00am on November 28, 2012 (4:00am AEDT on November 29). The event will be broadcast live via Livestream before a live chat with Toyota Division Group Vice-President and General Manager Bill Fay is broadcast live on Livestream from 11:30am to noon the same day (6:30-7:00am AEDT on November 29).
Toyota Motor Sales USA President and CEO Jim Lentz will kick off the Los Angeles Auto Show by delivering the Motor Press Guild keynote address at 8:00am (3:00am AEDT on November 29).
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