Press Release
Page 1: Summary
Page 2: Design
Page 3: RAV4 X
Page 4: D-4D Range
Page 5: Driving Control
Page 6: Chassis
Page 7: Safety
Designed for modern life
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Rugged and modern design theme
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Superior perceived quality throughout
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Compact outside, big inside
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Maximum modularity for families
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Premium equipment levels
Each generation of RAV4 has followed the same ground-breaking design cues that created the compact SUV market ??????????????????????????????????????? combining versatility, design and outstanding driving dynamics.
The all-new third generation Toyota RAV4 continues this pioneering spirit but, in response to modern customer demands, adds significantly more premium quality, increased interior space and an intelligent, flexible interior package.
The all-new Toyota RAV4 has been created within the context of Toyota??????????????????????????????????????s ?????????????????????????????????Vibrant Clarity?????????????????????????????????????? design philosophy and the elements of ?????????????????????????????????dynamic?????????????????????????????????????? and ?????????????????????????????????clear?????????????????????????????????????? forms should be viewed in this context. There is a clarity to the design, created by reducing the number of elements while increasing the size of each individual element. The trapezoidal grille provides a common thread of identity with other models in the Toyota SUV range and differentiates them from the core saloon models.
Executive Chief Engineer, Kiyotaka Ise explains: ???????????????????????????????????Design sketches were used to gauge the reaction of customers from countries all over the world. This feedback led us to adopt ?????????????????????????????????Modern Rugged?????????????????????????????????????? as our design theme. Focusing on this theme, we sculpted a stylish yet rugged design.????????????????????????????????
Distinctive exterior styling
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Styling cues from previous generations
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Increased length and width
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Strong premium quality
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Compact outside, big inside
The new RAV4 inherits and develops the strong brand DNA that continues to be recognisable to customers across the world. But, with the combination of a space-efficient box shape and more stylish, round form the new RAV4 manages to distinguish itself from other SUVs.
The cabin??????????????????????????????????????s distinctive silhouette shows a strong arc blending with the wedge-shape of the fender areas which extends down to the doors.
Its wedged lower-body design suggests agile driving performance on winding roads, while the dynamic fender shape emphasises a stance for stability under straight-line acceleration.
The new RAV4 sits squat on the road with strong posture, bold sides and a wide track. The sharp cuts around the rear remind one of the ?????????????????????????????????vibrant?????????????????????????????????????? theme.
???????????????????????????????????In terms of the exterior design, we aggressively sought a powerful, modern look that would catch the eyes of passers-by.???????????????????????????????? says Kiyotaka Ise, Executive Chief Engineer. ???????????????????????????????????For this reason, large wheels were placed prominently in the four corners, emphasizing the powerful nature of the SUV with a strong and chunky frame. By giving the panel design a sophisticated, high-quality feel, we blended a modern look with refinement.????????????????????????????????
The excellent aerodynamics of the new RAV4 are clearly demonstrated by its low drag co-efficient (0.31Cd) which is the best in this segment. Smooth airflow around the car contributes to better fuel consumption, quiet running at high speeds and enhanced stability.
The new Toyota RAV4 is 145 mm longer (4,395mm ??????????????????????????????????????? 4315mm without backdoor spare wheel) than the current generation, with a significantly increased wheelbase (+70 mm) and rear overhang. This allows greatly improved passenger comfort; the cabin length (1,820mm) has been increased by 85mm with the couple distance between front and rear seats increased by 55 mm.
The width is also increased (by 80mm) and increased shoulder space allows the front seats to be set further apart, again improving comfort. Height remains below that of many competitors, emphasising the sleek, squat styling and premium passenger car driving performance of the RAV4. But the rear seat headroom has been improved, allowing the new RAV4 to seat five adults in comfort.
And, despite the lengthened wheelbase, a lower turning circle of 5.1 meters has been achieved ??????????????????????????????????????? well below many rival vehicles.
Premium interior design and ingenious package
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Premium quality interior design
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Open and spacious feeling
The precision of the interior structure underlines the premium quality of the new RAV4. The elimination of any break lines, the tight panel gaps and the matching of surface levels all contribute to the perceived quality of the vehicle and are a tribute to its engineering excellence.
???????????????????????????????????We particularly aimed for an interior design that should be typical of an SUV, yet have a premium feel,???????????????????????????????? explains Kiyotaka Ise. ???????????????????????????????????We placed a vertical column in the centre of the instrument panel to emphasize the powerful nature of the SUV and gave the instrument panel a two-level winged shape for a premium feel. In addition, the superior quality feel is further enhanced by using high quality materials and tight panel fit throughout.????????????????????????????????
There are angular design cues in the interior which reflect the Vibrant Clarity theme. The cross-section of the dashboard and the door trim panels has been emphasised to create a more open and spacious feel. The three-dimensional nature of the door architecture, with unique boomerang shapes, creates a feeling of sportiness.
The increased exterior dimensions and significantly improved overall packaging both contribute to the spacious, quality environment which passengers enjoy inside the new RAV4.
The interior volume has been increased to 3,822 litres, an increase of 13% on the outgoing model. This is most noticeable in the luggage compartment, the rear passenger headroom and the shoulder room.
The newly developed rear suspension with the shock absorbers positioned diagonally under the floor results in a 230mm increase in the luggage room width. This dramatically enhances the usefulness of the luggage space (up 47%).
Practical, flexible interior
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Unique Toyota Easy Flat seating
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Flexible luggage and storage space
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Numerous comfort and convenience features
Customers for the Toyota RAV4 enjoy an active lifestyle, often needing to adapt their vehicle to the demands of a growing family. Here the new RAV4 will offer a unique feature that most clearly expresses its practicality and modularity: the Toyota Easy Flat seating system.
Using one of two one-touch levers, easily accessible from the rear tailgate, the rear seats can be folded down into the rear floor space to leave an ?????????????????????????????????easy-flat????????????????????????????????? luggage space without the need to remove any seat cushions or headrests.
The rear seats can also split (60:40) for maximum flexibility and can recline on an individual basis. They can slide backwards and forwards over 165mm to greatly enhance passenger comfort or increase luggage capacity. The flat boot floor also offers additional, underfloor storage space for increased security ??????????????????????????????????????? and the rear luggage cover can be stowed here when not in use.
With the Easy Flat seat system folded the new RAV4 has a luggage capacity of 1,469 litres, easily accessible through the wide-opening rear door and with flat loading.
Further practicality is emphasised by the numerous convenience features found within the passenger cabin. They include the upper and lower glove-box design ??????????????????????????????????????? with a glove-box cooler to maintain lower temperatures; the generous door pockets with bottle holders; the mobile phone holder in the centre console (Bluetooth compatibility on selected audio equipment); and enlarged, illuminated cupholders.
For rear seat passengers, the centre armrest contains two cupholders for stable storage of drinks. Foot lighting is available for front seat passengers on selected models.
Premium equipment levels
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Hi-tech analogue meters
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Six language multi-information display
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Air conditioning as standard
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Full map, DVD navigation available
The new Toyota RAV4 emphasises its premium quality with the equipment levels that will be standard throughout the range and the options that allow each customer to choose his or her own comfort levels.
The three, hi-tech analogue Optitron meters dominate the instrument panel and give a premium, sporty image. The combination meter lights illuminate in series, from the ignition ON to the indicator light, to the multi-information display, and then to the meter dials. This sequenced illumination and the adoption of amber graduated illumination in the center of the dials creates a feel of sophistication.
A liquid crystal multi-information display in the centre of the speedometer shows the odometer / tripmeter, outside temperature, driving monitor, and varivous warnings. The multiinformation display offers a wide range of customisable function setting options including six languages1 and metric or imperial units.
The audio, air conditioning and navigation systems are housed within the bold centre console which features a brushed-metallic finish for optimum quality. Standard equipment on all models includes air-conditioning (manual or dual automatic on high grade) and a six-speaker radio/CD unit (with 6 CD-changer on high grade) which has been adapted for MP3 file playback.
A dual-zone, fully automatic climate control system, with adjustable pollen removal, is available while many owners will want to upgrade to the full map DVD navigation system with Bluetoothcompatibility and touch screen.
This newly developed system offers a number of premium user-friendly features including ?????????????????????????????????Michelin?????????????????????????????????????? style mapping for easy recognition; voice activation in English, German and French; and voice guidance in ten European languages2 , including Norwegian and Portuguese. The system also offers city lane guidance for selected cities in Europe ??????????????????????????????????????? a unique feature to this unit.
Hi-tech features which enhance the premium quality of the new RAV4 also include:
Smart entry & start system: allowing keyless entry to front and rear doors, luggage compartment and press-button engine start.
Rain-sensing wipers: windscreen mounted raindrop sensor activates wipers to suit weather conditions
Dusk sensor: automatic activation of headlamps as dusk falls or at other times of limited visibility
Rear parking camera: clear view of the rear of the car for safer, more accurate parking
