Electric Toyota RAV4 EV revealed in United States

Toyota USA has revealed the all-new Toyota RAV4 EV at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles. This 22-month project was a joint venture between Toyota and Tesla.

The electric 154 hp front-wheel-drive RAV4 EV, in Sport mode, completes the 0-100 kph dash in 7.0 seconds and can touch 160 kph. In normal mode, it takes 8.6 seconds and can reach 137 kph.

RAV4 EV features LED low beam projector headlights with halogen projector high beams and five vertical LEDs make up the daytime running lights that double as parking lights. The rear LEDs are accented by light smoked outer lens. Other variations include new exterior emblems on the front, rear and the front door panel utilizing the signature Toyota “environmental blue.”

The vehicle will be available in three exterior colors: Blizzard White Pearl, Shoreline Blue Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. The interior features a unique “Neutron” fabric. Toyota claim that no interior space is lost in the vehicle due to EV components.

The RAV4 EV will go on sale in late summer 2012 Sales volume is planned for approximately 2,600 units over the next three years. The battery warranty is 8 years or 160,000 km.

A fully-equipped Toyota RAV4 EV wears a price tag of US$ 49,800 (or equivalent to Dhs 183,000) in the United States, and is unlikely to come to the GCC anytime soon.