The sensation is that of driving a powerful electric: smooth but decisive acceleration, immediate response to the pedal, silence and comfort. But without the worry of autonomy limited by the battery charge. We are behind the wheel of the new Rav4 Plug-in Hybrid, which will arrive in dealerships in April, part of the latest and most advanced generation (the fifth) of the vehicle that made Toyota record history: since 1994, the model that has created the SUV market totaled more than 10 million cars sold. And this is the last frontier of hybrid technology from the Aichi house, which with this vehicle was the forerunner for the electrification of the segment: Rav4 was in fact a pioneer of Full Hybrid among SUVs. It is as if the proven SUV had developed its own double DNA: on the one hand with the expression and capabilities of an electric vehicle, an EV; on the other with the efficient hybrid-electric operation, a HEV.
Two refueling doors
Looking at it from the outside, there are no big differences compared to the Full Hybrid, if it were not for minor touches in the body design (such as the dark grille, the dark gray rims, the wheel pillars in glossy black, the metal moldings on the side lower of the bumpers) that make it less angular, but certainly no less gritty. And for the two refueling counters: on the left for petrol, on the right for electricity. The new rechargeable Rav4 plug-in socket (two standard cables supplied, one Mennekes 6.6 kw, 32 A) promises to be not only Toyota’s most powerful hybrid – the heat engine is an Atkinson-cycle Dynamic Force DOHC from 2,487 cm3, 4 cylinders and 16 valves, which develops a power of 185 Hp / 136 kW, which are associated with the two electric engines (the plug-in is only offered in the AWD-i version, with intelligent all-wheel drive) which bring the total power at 306 hp / 225 kW (38% more than the Rav4 Hybrid) – but also the most efficient in terms of emissions and fuel consumption: the amount of CO2 drops to 22 g / km (WLTP cycle) released; the maximum distance reaches 100 km with 1 liter of petrol. Performance that surpasses all its rivals.
shadow carousel
Silence and power, the new Rav 4 plug-in
Electricity equal slowness? Think again
For those who have already driven the Rav4 Full hybrid, the difference is considerable: the same safety, the same comfort, the same feeling of dominating the road. But the performance of this Plug-in is amazing: it will be over 300 horsepower overall, it will be the thrill of pure electric driving, but this looks like another planet. There are still those who think that electric means slowness: it’s a question of horses; on Rav4 Plug-in the perceived and actual acceleration is stronger given the torque available all immediately. Thanks to the experience gained in the development of the two generations of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Toyota has managed to create a new and effective powertrain for its large SUV. And the power is felt on the road, both when we push the GRA in Rome quickly reaching the limit (but the manufacturer declares a “zero emissions” peak of 135 hours) and on the mixed route from Cassia Bis to Lake Bracciano, and on dirt roads who explore its shores.
It is not a question of weight: minimum consumption
Heavier (about 200 kg more) than the Rav4 full hybrid, this SUV is still capable of accelerations from 0 to 100 km / h in 6 seconds (2.1 seconds faster than the hybrid Rav4). Also thanks to the two electric motors: the front, from 134 kW (a big jump compared to the 88 kW of the hybrid version); the rear 40 kW. Yet consumption is astonishing: 1 liter of petrol per 100 km (25 km / l) is the declared average; in our test, once the automatic distance in EV was exhausted, we found averages between 4.5 and 4.8 l / 100 km. Of course, it should not be forgotten that electricity is consumed in exchange: in our test we recorded an average consumption of 21.2 kWh per 100 kilometers, which makes a consumption of 1 kWh per 4.7 km in electric mode.
Over an hour without emissions
And speaking of EV, the first difference you notice when driving is that you have the feeling of driving a real electric: the car starts in EV mode automatically, and the hybrid engine does not intervene until the state of charge requires it. battery. The sensations marry the data: Rav4 Plug-in – declares Toyota – “is able to travel over 75 km with 0 emissions in the combined cycle and up to 98 km in the urban cycle (both WLTP)”, in our test it went more in beyond the 80 km on mixed, traveling for over an hour in absolute silence. Braking is powerful and well modulated (4 internally ventilated disc brakes) and the six Adas systems of the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 are efficient.
Manual controls, so as not to distract
In the new interior, finished with red stitching on the ecological leather of the seats and dashboard, the dashboard on the tunnel stands out – with the wheel to choose the driving modes Normal, Eco, Sport and the buttons for Trail, Auto HV / EV and Charge Hold ( Toyota prefers manual controls so as not to distract the driver too much) – and the new opening above the speedometer panel, from where speed data, hourly limits and – very useful for understanding the alternating operation of EV and HEV are projected on the front window. induce a greener driving style – a horizontal graph of consumption. Also useful is the rearview mirror with screen and integrated camera on the rear window. Powerful sound from the 9 JBL speakers. There are 4 propulsion modes: EV (electric vehicle, by default, as already mentioned); HEV (hybrid vehicle), Auto HV / EV; and charge mode (Charge / Hold button), which helps restore the battery level if it has dropped too low for EV operation. In this case, the heat engine also runs to produce electricity.
96 cells, but the trunk remains large
Rav 4 Plug-in is equipped with a new 96-cell lithium-ion battery (high energy capacity: increased to 18.1 kWh), placed under the vehicle floor. And he added an enhanced inverter to the control unit of the hybrid system. The increased dimensions of the battery and the second rear electric motor (in the hybrid there is only in the Awd set-up) have led to a 35 mm increase in the load platform, however the trunk remains large, capable of 520 liters (but the spare wheel has disappeared, there is the tire repair kit). The cell arrangement has lowered the center of gravity and chassis stiffness is remarkable thanks to the Toyota GA-K platform.
THE TECHNICAL SHEET
DIMENSIONS Length: 460 cm; width: 185 cm; height: 169 cm; step: 269 cm. TRUNK 520 liters. ENGINE Thermal 2.5 L Electric 138 and 40 Kw and 270/121 Nm, total power 306 HP. BATTERY lithium 51 Ah. EXCHANGE AWD-i automatic. PERFORMANCE 180 km / h; 6 ‘from 0 to 100 km / h. PRICE
From 54,350 euros
March 2, 2021 (change March 2, 2021 | 18:01)
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED
