Presented to the world at the 2019 Los Angeles Salon, the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in , the most powerful RAV4 ever, is coming to the Portuguese market and promises not to go unnoticed.
The plug-in hybrid variant of the best-selling SUV in the world has a combined maximum power of 306 hp and promises an urban cycle range (WLTP) that amounts to 98 km (75 km in a WLTP combined cycle).
Diogo Teixeira has already put it to the test in another video on our YouTube channel and tells you everything there is to know about this model, which in Portugal will have prices starting at 54,900 euros.
Impressive electrical autonomy
Often referred to as the “Achilles' heel” of plug-in hybrid models, electric autonomy is one of the greatest assets of this new Toyota RAV4 Plug-in.
Equipped with an 18.1 kWh battery, this Japanese plug-in hybrid is capable of traveling up to 75 km (WLTP cycle) without “consuming” gasoline, a figure that can grow to 98 km in an urban cycle.
And if this is a very strong calling card, what about the maximum power of more than 300 hp? This number (306 hp) is achieved thanks to the "marriage" between two electric motors — one with 134 kW (the front) and the other with 40 kW (the rear) — and a four-cylinder gasoline engine with 2.5 l capacity that runs on the Atkinson cycle and produces 185 hp (at 6000 rpm).
What about consumptions?
Toyota advertises averages of just 2 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 22 g/km. But of course, these numbers vary depending on the use and mode of operation of the motor system.
Four different operating modes are available: EV Mode (100% electric mode and the one used by default), HV Mode (hybrid mode adopted when the electric autonomy is exhausted or by choice of the driver), Auto HV/EV Mode (manages the automatic between hybrid and electric mode) and Charging Mode (helps to recharge the battery charge).
In addition to these four modes, there are three more distinct driving levels — Eco, Normal and Sport — all of which are compatible with the various operating modes of the plug-in hybrid system.
As this is an all-wheel-drive proposal, an additional Trail mode is also available, optimized for those off-road adventures.
Speaking of drums…
The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in battery is mounted under the floor of the trunk (floor was raised 35 mm), so compared to a hybrid RAV4 (conventional), the charging capacity has dropped from 580 liters to 520 liters.
Battery installation under the luggage compartment was noted in the space available.
And this is really one of the biggest differences of this RAV4 Plug-in to its “brothers”, since it only visually stands out for the loading door and the possibility of equipping 19'' wheels, even though it comes with “shoes” as standard. ” with 18″ wheels.
How much does it cost?
As mentioned above, the new Toyota RAV4 Plug-in will arrive in Portugal with prices starting at 54 900 euros. However, the version tested by Diogo, the Lounge, is the most equipped that will be sold in Portugal and also the most expensive: it starts at 61,990 euros.
