2016 Redesigned Toyota RAV4 Launched in U.A.E

Rav4 2016

Rav4

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 18, 2016: Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributor of Toyota in the UAE, has announced the launch of the newly redesigned RAV4, one of Toyota’s most popular crossover vehicles, featuring newly redesigned exterior styling and interior refinement, coupled with Toyota’s legendary fuel efficiency, performance and exciting driving dynamics, making the 2016 RAV4 the perfect choice for any adventure.

Available in four different grades – EX and VX (4x2), as well as GXR and VXR (4x4 full-time) – the 2016 RAV4 is powered by a fuel-efficient 2.5L naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engine, producing 177bhp at 6,000rpm and 23.8 kg-m of torque at 4,100rpm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission for smooth driving on all road surfaces.

Alan Carpenter, Toyota General Manager Sales and Marketing at Al-Futtaim Motors, said: “The RAV4 has been one of our best performing vehicles since the launch of the fourth generation in 2013. It was the world’s original crossover sport utility vehicle when it was introduced in 1994, and 22 years later, it remains one of the most loved vehicles in the Toyota line-up, thanks to its versatile capabilities and stylish look”

With this last iteration, the RAV4 has new and exciting exterior styling thanks to a redesigned front fascia with LED headlights and DRL, redesigned LED tail lights, and redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels for a sportier, more aggressive look. The interior also gets new treatment, with new Two-tone leather seats, 7-inch navigation system and an all-new 8-inch rear seat entertainment system on select models.

On the safety front, the 2016 RAV4 keeps its class-leading six airbags, as well as Traction Control (TRC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Assist Control (HAC), Brake Assist (BA), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), amongst other features.

The 2016 RAV4 is currently available at all Al-Futtaim Motors showrooms across the UAE, with prices starting at AED 84,900 for the EX model, an exceptional value of AED 99,900 for the VX model which includes leather seats, sunroof and navigation, AED 114,900 and AED 124,900 for the GXR and VXR models respectively.

For more information, customers can visit the newly redesigned Toyota.ae website where they can book a test drive, download brochures or enquire about any Toyota vehicle of their choice.

A New Age: Hybrid Racing

The fierce roar of powerful engines reverberating through your body. The smell of oil and burning rubber. The excitement of drivers battling through corners, fighting for position bumper to bumper. There is nothing like high performance racing to get your blood pumping.

The sport appears to be in direct contrast with the ecological path that Toyota has chosen. However, a new type of racing has been born: hybrid racing. Many people think of the Prius as a quiet, fuel-friendly, family and youth-oriented car, because it is based on hybrid technology. However, the technology is versatile enough to be used in full-fledged racecars, which can zoom down a track at over 300 km/h.

The fact is that the hybrid system is a winner in all respects, offering genuine performance advantages as well as environmental benefits. Racing not only proves how sophisticated hybrid technology is, but it also represents the fast lane towards developing ever-better hybrid technology and drives our engineers to attain quantum leaps in innovation. We race to win, and to win, we must continue learning.

TS040 Hybrid Le Mans Prototype vs Third-Generation Prius

The Prius: Clean, Green and Fast

Before we dive into hybrid racing, let’s first take a look back at the THS, or Toyota Hybrid System. The first-generation Prius was released in 1997, utilizing the THS to offer dramatic improvements in fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, while the Prius offered amazing fuel economy, it still needed more power. In 2003, Toyota released the first big evolution to the hybrid system with the THS II, equipped in the second-generation Prius. Not only was its fuel economy better than ever, but it also featured higher battery voltage and increased electric motor output—resulting in far greater acceleration. The third-generation Prius debuted in 2009, featuring a plethora of new innovations. The gasoline engine was increased in size from 1.5 liters to 1.8 liters. The reduction gear was extensively redesigned to be extremely compact, and the electric motor was reworked to not only allow for higher output, but to also facilitate higher speeds.

Toyota had been planning a high performance Prius for hybrid racing since early in the vehicle’s development. The Landspeed Prius debuted at Bonneville National Speed Week in 2004, based on the second-generation Prius. It set a record speed for hybrids at an impressive 130.794 miles (210.5 kilometers) per hour.

Landspeed Prius, based on the second-generation model, 2004

Proving That Hybrids Have What It Takes

“Whenever we talk about applying environmental technologies to racing, hybrid technology comes up. This is something we have to commit to as a company,” Yoshiaki Kinoshita, President of Toyota Motorsport GmbH

Yoshiaki Kinoshita’s visionary concept came to fruition with Toyota’s hybrid racing project in late 2005. Mr. Kinoshita later became the President of Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG), where he would focus on unifying Toyota motorsports activities. Today, Hisatake Murata, the General Manager of the Motorsport Unit Development Division, is the driving force behind Toyota’s hybrid racing development.

Toyota entered into the Tokachi 24-hour race again the following year, this time using a Toyota Supra with a specialized hybrid racing system and achieving a splendid overall victory.

In the wake of this impressive 2007 win, hybrid racing seemed to fall out of the limelight at Toyota. But Mr. Kinoshita and Mr. Murata had actually set a new target: winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Tucked away behind closed doors, they worked feverishly to develop a brand new, dedicated hybrid racecar that would eventually be known as the TS030.

The TS030 and its successor were about to change the course of modern-day motorsports forever.

Toyota Supra HV-R

Winner of 2014 Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Titles at FIA World Endurance Championship

The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) series is a grueling endurance championship that includes the time-honored 24 Hours of Le Mans. Just as the series kicked off in 2012, Toyota entered the Le Mans race with the TS030 Hybrid equipped with the new THS-R (Toyota Hybrid System-Racing). In the qualifying stage, the TS030 achieved an impressive speed of 335.2 kilometers per hour, the fastest speed of any competitor.

But that was just the beginning. In 2014, Toyota debuted their all-new TS040 Hybrid racecar, and at that time, it was considered a rank outsider when the series began. This vehicle had an additional electric motor on the front axle, giving the racecar four-wheel drive and dramatically improving regenerative braking. The vehicle delivered around 1000 horsepower and could attain a top speed of 340 kilometers per hour on the straightaway. The TS040 went on to help Toyota Racing win the 2014 drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles to mark a successful conclusion to the FIA WEC season. The win was a clear demonstration of the capabilities of a hybrid racecar and its high performance prowess in a challenging racing environment. It also endorsed Toyota’s global leadership and progress in developing advanced hybrid technology.

Winning ways: the TS030 Hybrid (left) and TS040 Hybrid (right)

Racing Helps Develop Ever-Better Road Cars

A hybrid system generates electricity to recharge the batteries during deceleration by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy for storage. Racing cars have to brake violently and repeatedly throughout the race, so a lot of effort must be spent ensuring that a large amount of energy can be generated over a short time. When this technology is fed back into production cars, it allows for the development of extremely efficient hybrid cars that can regenerate electricity at any speed range.

Toyota’s philosophy of utilizing motorsports as a tool to make ever-better road cars has been embraced by the WEC programme, with hybrid technology transfer from the race track benefiting road car development since the beginning of the project in 2012. The WEC’s revised 2014 regulations put new emphasis on energy efficiency, requiring almost 25% improvement in fuel economy on each lap. This meant that Toyota had to focus on reducing fuel usage and improving recovered energy. In other words, the same things we focus on for production cars. Of course, better aerodynamics and lower weight, which are extremely important in racecars, play a massive role in creating fuel-efficient, high-performing production cars as well. In short, racing is how Toyota tests and develops its world-class hybrid technology.

As Mr. Murata says,

“The components and technology developed for the TS040 Hybrid will provide the basis for Toyota production cars in the future.”

A powerful hybrid system from Toyota is thus quietly changing the face of modern motorsports and perceptions about the capabilities of hybrid racing cars. Racing not only brings out the best in our engineers, but also spurs technological innovation. The next-generation Prius is a result of these dedicated efforts.

The All-New 2016 Toyota Prius Hybrid

Toyota RAV4 2014- Review

Bengt Halvorson:

With last year's redesign, the Toyota RAV4 became better-equipped and more value oriented; but at the same time it lost some of the features that had made this model so popular in its last generation—like its optional V-6 and third-row seat.

Taken in perspective, the 2014 Toyota RAV4 leaves room for the larger Highlander, which had been squeezed upscale by the last RAV4, and it brings its bearings back firmly to the compact segment. But last year's redesign did bring some important new changes, in the way of updated transmission, better safety features, and updated safety gear. As it stands, the RAV4 is the middle-ground pick for pragmatists: with more room than the perky Ford Escape yet road manners that are just a little more alert than those in the Honda CR-V.

Last year's redesign purged one of the remaining vestiges of the RAV4's history: the tailgate-mounted spare. This year it's history, and the more hatchback-style flow and lower stance, pitch the RAV4 headlong into a lookalike bin filled with the Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, even Mazda CX-5. Arguably, the RAV4 has a more carlike face than them all, but it doesn't pull off such a clean design in back as the CX-5. The taillamps er XT. are pointy and shelf out, all in the name of meeting safety regulations. Inside, there's some discord in the cockpit; this is a case in which the RAV4 limited and its many trims and surfaces leave us admiring the basic RAV4 LE's simplicity.

Once upon a time—just a couple of model years ago—there were V-6 models of the RAV4 that were surprisingly quick; but the current RAV4 gives up those chances of a transcendent upgrade in favor of a better ride and more carlike handling. There's only a 176-horsepower four-cylinder under the hood now, but the six-speed automatic with sport-shift mode saves it. Consider the 0-60 mph time of under nine seconds, and the RAV4 isn't quick, but it's quick enough for most family needs. The new RAV4 is responsive, although never sporty in the same way as a Ford Escape or Subaru Forester XT. Yet at the same time, the RAV4 rides lower, with well-weighted electric power steering and a good sense of center. All-wheel drive is just a $1,400 upgrade, and we like how the system works not only for inclement weather conditions but also for on-the-road handling. There isn't much of a range in the way the RAV4 rides and handles, but for a slightly better ride we'd stick with the 17-inch tires on LE and XLE versions.

The RAV4 didn't become significantly larger with last year's redesign, but smarter packaging made it more passenger-friendly. Base versions come with a cheaper upholstery and seats that are less supportive, while XLE versions include more firmly bolstered seats and nicer fabrics that we wish were standard across the board. The synthetic leather upholstery in Limited models looks great from a few feet away, but up close it looks shiny and cheap. Seating space in the RAV4 is about on par with the CR-V—definitely more generous than the Escape. But there are some flaws: The back bench is less supportive than adults will expect, and its flip/fold mechanism is one step shy on slickness, although cargo space is excellent. Limited versions get a power tailgate.

Safety ratings are top-notch for the most part, but the RAV4 has one unforgivable blemish: a 'Poor' rating in the new IIHS small overlap frontal test. Otherwise, the RAV4 ups its safety ante with eight standard airbags, including knee airbags. Bluetooth is also standard across the board; a rearview camera is also included, while Limited models include blind-spot monitors with cross-traffic alerts.

LE, XLE, and Limited models of the 2014 Toyota RAV4 are offered. At the base level, the RAV4 LE comes with power locks, windows, and mirrors; air conditioning; cruise control; tilt/telescoping steering; steering-wheel audio and phone controls; and an AM/FM/CD player controlled, through a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen. We tend to think that the base RAV4 LE or mid-range XLE models are the best deal. The XLE adds dual-zone automatic climate control; a sunroof; and fog lights, to which the Limited adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Limited include a power driver seat and those 18-inch wheels.

Major options on the RAV4 include navigation on the XLE and Limited, with Entune app connectivity and satellite radio; and on the Limited, a JBL audio system with 576 watts of power and 11 speakers.Audio systems are noteworthy in the RAV4. For 2014, there are four different levels of Entune touch-screen audio, with the top two levels incorporating the App Suite—Bing for search; iHeartRadio and Pandora for audio streaming; MovieTickets.com, OpenTable®, and Yelp for going out; and real-time traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks.

The Toyota RAV4 has come a long way, evolving from what the niche activity vehicle that it originally was in the 1990s to what, for many buyers, is a primary family vehicle—a substitute for a mid-size sedan. Yet with a more limited lineup in this latest iteration of the RAV4, introduced last year, and redesigned versions of the Ford Escape and Subaru Forester arriving in the past couple of years, the competition is especially strong.

2011 Model Rava 4

EXTERIOR

Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto-off feature

Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto on/off feature

Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with blackout sport trim and auto-off feature

Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with blackout sport trim and auto on/off feature

Integrated fog lamps

LED taillamps and stop lamps

Black grille -Chrome-accented grille -

Black power outside mirrors with folding feature

Color-keyed power heated outside mirrors with turn signal indicators and folding feature

Black outside door handles --Color-keyed outside door handles --Color-keyed outside rear door handle

Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto LSD) --Electronic On-Demand 4WD

Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) Downhill Assist Control (DAC)

Sport-tuned suspension (springs and shock absorbers)

Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade

16-in. steel wheels with wheel covers with P215/70R16 tires

17-in. 5-spoke styled steel wheels with P225/65R17 tires

17-in. 5-spoke alloy wheels with P225/65R17 tires

17-in. 6-spoke alloy wheels with P225/65R17 tires

18-in. 5-spoke alloy wheels with P235/55R18 tires

Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers and intermittent rear window wiper

High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass ,Privacy glass on rear side, quarter and rear door windows

Rear window defogger with timer -Side-opening rear door with hold-open feature

Unique rear door with chrome accents

Color-keyed full-size combination hard/soft outside spare tire cover

Color-keyed full-size hard-shell outside spare tire cover

Color-keyed rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop lamp

Color-keyed overfenders

Roof rack

Roof-mounted XM® Radio -antenna

Black rear step bumper protector

Tow Prep Package (V6 models only) -- includes 3500-lb. towing capacity, upgraded radiator, fan coupling and alternator

INTERIOR

Air conditioning with air filter-Dual zone automatic climate control with air filter, micro dust and pollen filter and information display AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, XM® compatible (additional hardware and subscription required) AM/FM 6-disc CD changer with MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers and XM® Radio (includes 90-day trial subscription) JBL® AM/FM 6-disc CD changer with MP3/WMA playback capability, nine speakers including subwoofer, XM® Radio (includes 90-day trial subscription), and hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® wireless technology

Touch-screen DVD navigation system , AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, XM® Radio and XM NavTraffic® compatible (additional hardware and subscriptions required)

Auxiliary audio jack

Fabric-trimmed 6-way adjustable driver's seat with seatback pocket; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pocket

Fabric-trimmed 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support and seatback pocket; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pocket

Leather-trimmed 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support and seatback pocket; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pocket

Driver and front passenger heated seats

Fabric-trimmed 60/40 split, sliding, reclining, fold-flat second-row seat with height-adjustable headrests and center armrest

Leather-trimmed 60/40 split, reclining, sliding, fold-flat second-row seat with height-adjustable headrests and center armrest

Fabric-trimmed 50/50 Split & Stow 3rd Row™ seat with fold-flat capability and height-adjustable headrests

Cruise control Tilt/telescopic steering wheel

Urethane steering wheel

Urethane steering wheel with audio controls

Leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls

Leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth® hands-free phone controls

Optitron instrumentation with amber-illuminated speedometer, tachometer; LCD display with odometer, twin tripmeters, shift indicator, outside temperature gauge, Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), instant/average fuel economy functions, low fuel and scheduled maintenance indicators

Leather-trimmed shift lever with metallic inlay

Chrome-accented shift lever with leather inlay, chrome interior door handles, chrome parking brake tip and vent trim

Remote keyless entry system,Smart Key System with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry Power windows with driver auto up/down with jam protection

Power door locks

Auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated backup camera monitor -Multi-function center console with two illuminated front cup holders, cell phone storage pocket, covered armrest with upper tray and lower-console storage box

Dual glove compartments with one-touch open/close feature on upper compartment and lockable lower glove compartment

Two front and one cargo area 12V auxiliary power outlets-120V AC power outlet

Cargo area tonneau cover,Cargo area second-row-seat one-touch fold-flat levers

Cargo area under-floor storage compartment

Digital clock

Ten cup/bottle holders,Storage pockets in door panels and rear cargo area, Interior footwell lighting

Illuminated entry system (key illumination, interior light and front personal light) Dual sun visors with vanity mirror, sliding extensions and roof-mounted vanity light

Toyota Prado 2010 Review

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the new Toyota Prado at its Australian launch

The middle child of the Toyota SUV family is new again.  The Prado has had a complete workover in almost every area, from the chassis and body up through the V6 petrol engine and the camera protection systems.

It's now more luxurious than ever for suburban work and tougher and more flexible for off-road use. As you would expect with a seven-year gap between model changes.

Toyota Australia claims everything from improved fuel economy to better value and improved refinement, but it all comes at a cost.  The new Prado has put on at least 150 kilograms from the previous model and the starting price is up by more than $4000 to $55,990. In fact, only two of 14 Prado models now hit below the Luxury Car Tax threshold and the top-line seven-seater Kakadu turbodiesel auto costs a whopping $88,990.  But more than 1500 people have placed orders and Toyota is expecting to have trouble satisfying early demand. 

The fourth-generation Prado is longer, wider but lower than its predecessor and, for the first time, there is a three-door model. But it's not a stripped-out bush-basher, coming with the seven airbags, ESP stability control, airconditioning, cruise control, smart-start system, alloy wheels, USB input and Bluetooth, and power steering that is standard on all models.

"We wanted comfort and peace of mind, anytime and anywhere," says Prado's chief engineer, Makoto Arimoto, speaking at the Australian press preview in Orange over the weekend.  The range runs from the basic GX through GXL and VX to Kakadu, which even gets a standard sunroof and leather trim.

The Prado is available as either a five or seven-seater and Toyota has tweaked the cabin with a sliding second-row seat in the five-door models. There is also an electrically-operated third-row system in the luxury cars.

Like every new model from Toyota there are hundreds of changes and updates in the suspension and engines and electronics and entertainment systems, and it's all important stuff.   But the styling is . . . questionable. The basic body is basically bland and the final finishing, particularly the grille, is overpowering.  So it's a good thing that around 50 per cent of Prado buyers add a bullbar.

Driving

The new Prado is everything you expect, and more. It is just plain phenomenal in the bush, where the latest range of driver aids - but particularly the 'Crawl' system and driver-selectable multi-terrain package - mean it can practically drive itself. You only have to steer as it walks up and down the toughest terrain.  There are also cameras to check obstacles anywhere around the Prado, provided you pay enough to get the right package, and the transmission has the low-range setting and differential locks you need for serious stuff.

Pay enough and you can also have height-adjustable suspension, an extra diff lock and the multi-terrain deal which means you choose the sort of conditions - from sand through to rocks - and let the electronic brains decide the best settings for fuss-free travel.  Get back on the bitumen and the suspension feels more plush, there is more 'stuff' to enjoy, and the cabin is a little more roomy and significantly more practical.

The latest V6 has definitely got more go that you can feel for more of the time, even if less than 20 per cent of Prado buyers go for petrol power. But the turbodiesel does not cope as well with the extra weight in the new car and overtaking performance is fairly ordinary, with relatively leisurely acceleration from standstill.

So the biggest question on the new Prado is the price. More than $55,000 for a starter car is a lot of cash for any SUV buyer, and the top-end stickers are right in the luxury car class. It's a good thing, but is it that good?

Toyota Prado

Price: From $55,990
ANCAP safety score: Not tested
Safety equipment: seven airbags, ESP, traction control, anti-skid brakes with brakeforce distribution Fuel economy: from 8.3L/100km
Emissions: Not available
Body: 3-door wagon, 5-door wagon
Seats: five, seven
Engines: 3.9-litre V6, 3-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 202kW/5600revs, 127kW/3400revs
Torque: 391Nm/4400 revs, 410Nm/1600-2800 revs
Transmission: Six-speed manual, five-speed automatic, constant switchable all-wheel drive