Toyota's fifth generation RAV4 is at its most sophisticated in plug-in form, as you can discover by paying Motorline Toyota Stourbridge a visit.
The first plug-in hybrid version of Toyota's RAV4 draws on more than 20 years of the brand's leadership in hybrid powertrain technology to offer customers a 'D'-segment SUV that promises to be not only more powerful than any other in its class but also more efficient in terms of emissions and fuel consumption. There's quite a price to pay for this technology but the stats look tempting.
With 302 braked horses-worth of combined system output on tap, this plug-in variant offers quite a big step up in power from the standard self-charging RAV4 Hybrid. This PHEV variant only comes in 4x4 form and its power increase comes courtesy of a more powerful electric motor paired to a larger high-capacity underfloor lithium-ion battery, with the powertrain featuring a boost converter on the hybrid's power control unit.
Charging takes around two and a half hours using a 230V/32A connection. The 62mph sprint time from rest is claimed to be just 6.2s and this model can run at speeds of up to 84mph with no intervention from the engine.
Ah yes, the engine. It's the same 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle hybrid petrol unit used in the conventional RAV4. Toyota's electric all-wheel-drive system is also carried over without change, a set-up which sees the combustion engine and a front electric motor powering the front axle and an additional rear-mounted electric motor driving the rear axle.
Both motors incorporate regenerative charging to charge the battery, the extent of which can be controlled by the driver via a pair of paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. When fully charged, that battery can take the car to a WLTP-rated 46 mile driving range.
The WLTP-quoted CO2 emission figure of 22g/km is fractionally better than most competitors, which of course will mean attractively low BiK taxation figures. Like most rivals, the brand also quotes a 3-figure combined cycle fuel consumption reading (282.5mpg).
To find out more about the RAV4 and other Toyota vehicles, got to: Motorline Toyota Stourbridge
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