The new Toyota RAV4 Plug-in takes its place at the pinnacle of the RAV4 range and as the flagship of Toyota's hybrid model line-up. It is a vehicle that delivers an unmatched combination of power and environmental efficiency in its class. Its introduction strengthens and extends the appeal of the RAV4, the model which created the market for recreational SUVs and which has amassed more than 10 million worldwide sales. Toyota has applied its leading hybrid technology expertise to create the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in, producing a vehicle that is not only powerful, but which also outperforms all its rivals in terms of low emissions and fuel economy. The model's final homologation data indicates 22 g/m CO2 and 1.0 l/100km (Combined WLTP cycle). RAV4 operates as an authentic electric vehicle: EV running is its default mode, in which it can cover around up to 98 km in urban driving (City WLTP cycle) on a full battery charge, comfortably more than the average European daily commute, and reach speeds of 135 km/h, with no intervention from the hybrid powertrain. When extra engine power is needed, the capability of the 2.5-litre Dynamic Force powerplant ensures efficiency remains class-leading. Battery charging is simple and safe, and can be accomplished in 2.5 hours using a 230 V/32 A connection. As standard, owners can use the MyT app to schedule and monitor battery charging remotely and also operate the air conditioning system to warm up or cool the cabin before setting off.
PERFORMANCE AND TECHNOLOGY
With the new RAV4 Plug-in, Toyota has created a vehicle with a dual DNA: one that has strong and genuine EV capabilities but which can also operate with highly efficient hybrid electric power. Toyota has drawn on its experience of engineering two generations of the Prius Plug-in and has adopted an incremental approach to add extra performance to the efficiency of the plug-in technology. This has produced what is the most powerful model in the RAV4 range and one which delivers best-in-class performance in its segment in terms of EV driving range, CO2 emissions and fuel efficiency. For the Prius Plug-in, the focus was on extending the EV driving range by using a larger high-voltage battery with the established 53 kW electric motor from the hybrid model. By contrast, RAV4 uses a more powerful motor together with a larger battery and inverter to gain significantly more drive power as well as the ability to cover much greater distances and travel at high speeds in EV mode. Maximum output for the full powertrain, including the 2.5-litre Dynamic Force hybrid engine, is 306 DIN hp/225 kW - 38% more than the RAV4 Hybrid - enabling 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.0 seconds - 2.1 seconds faster than the hybrid. Drivability is improved, for example with 50% more power available at 60 km/h. In EV mode, performance is comparable to a 2.0-litre petrol model, with 0-100 km/h acceleration in 10 seconds.
2.5-litre Dynamic Force engine
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in's hybrid engine is a higher output version of the 2.5-litre Dynamic Force unit featured in the hybrid model, benefiting from the higher electric power to return more power and an improved torque curve. The 2,487 cm3, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC Atkinson cycle powerplant features Dual VVT-i intelligent intake (electrically controlled) and exhaust valve timing and D-4S direct/indirect fuel injection with multi-hole injectors. The long, 103.4 mm stroke and the high 14.0:1 compression ratio help gain higher output and fuel efficiency. Maximum power of 185 DIN hp/136 kW is delivered at 6,000 rpm compared to RAV4 Hybrid's 178 DIN hp/131 kW at 5,700 rpm. The hybrid system operates an automatic warm-up phase to help protect the petrol engine against excessive wear that might occur if it is called on to make regular cold starts when the vehicle is running at motorway speeds. Power is limited, then progressively increased. The driver is alerted to the warm-up status by the engine icon showing blue in the hybrid energy flow display.
New hybrid system
The new hybrid system delivers a class-leading combination of power and efficiency. With maximum output of 306 DIN hp/225 kW, the RAV4 Plug-in is the most powerful model in the RAV4 range and Toyota's most powerful hybrid. At the same time, its efficiency is remarkable, with significant improvements on the levels achieved by the RAV4 Hybrid. It is also unique in its class in offering an authentic EV drive. In fact, EV mode is the default: the hybrid engine will not intervene, giving the driver the freedom to cover around 75 km (WLTP cycle) and achieve speeds of up to 135 km/h - suitable for highway driving - with zero fuel consumption and zero tailpipe emissions. And under City WLTP cycle driving, the EV range can reach 98 km. Depending of the battery state of charge (SOC), the vehicle will automatically switch to highly efficient hybrid operation. This is a key benefit derived from basing the plug-in system on Toyota's highly efficient hybrid technology.
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