Another bite at RAV4 PHEV outs it’s plusses
We’ve had three bites at the prototype Toyota RAV4 PHEV. And every time, we have come away more impressed. PHEV of course means plug-in hybrid, and while this RAV4 may not be the first we have tested, it’s certainly has made the biggest mark. It’s not for sale in SA, rather another of several prototypes testing in local conditions.
It’s also not necessarily be the Toyota PHEV that finally gets here. Is an even better plug-in Toyota in the works? Known as Prime in the US, PHEV is the second phase of Toyota SA’s New Energy plan. It follows over 20 years of Prius and a now fast-growing regular petrol-electric model range. And comes ahead of Toyota’s albeit now apparently scaled back future EV push.
LOOK TWICE TO TELL THE PHEV APART
You have to look twice to tell the difference between this RAV4 PHEV and its combustion, or regular Hybrid. But it’s also fired by both petrol and an 18.1 kW lithium-Ion battery sitting under the cabin.
The front and rear electric motors add a respective additional 134 kW and 40 kW to the 2.5-litre petrol four-pot’s 136 kW for an impressive 225 kW total output. Torque is abundant too, thanks to an additional 270 and 121 Nm of electrical twist over and above those 227 petrol Newton-metres.
Using the same electric architecture as the regular RAV 4 E-Four Hybrid, a CVT transmission blends the petrol-electric power to the front axle, aided and abetted by electric only rear drive. It Intelligently switches between all and front drive depending on conditions. A dedicated Trail Mode increases rear axle torque split on the dirt.
BYE-BYE RANGE AXIETY
This Toyota PHEV however boasts a plug-in socket to charge up full overnight using a Mode 2 cable on a 240V home socket. A Mode 3 cable allows fast station DC charging in 2.5 hours on a 32A, 6.6 kW charger. EV mode prioritises up to 80 km of electric-only driving. Charging Mode recharges the battery on the run. So, bye-bye range anxiety!
This allows the RAV4 Plug-In to keep driving when a regular EV must stop. This Toyota PHEV has a HV mode driving range of beyond 800 km. An Auto EV/HV mode allows the system to switch between modes and fire the engine under harder acceleration, before returning to electric as soon as possible after.
There’s a quality feel to the Toyota RAV 4 Plug-In. Its more an EV than a hybrid to drive. The combination of immediate torque and flat, sturdy, and silent electric power delivery and that good old petrol feeling, is a buzz. Acceleration is also impressive in EV mode at zero fuel consumption.
PHEV ELIMINATES PURE EV CHALLENGES
EV only range may be limited to 80 km, but that’s also probably further than you and I or most of our friends will ever drive in an average day. And then once the battery drops to a quarter and below minimum EV only levels, it simply switches to HV mode. For traditional petrol-electric Toyota Hybrid driving.
So If you fit into that 80 km metric, you will hardly ever get to use the petrol in this tank. And if you do, that bigger battery and Toyota’s proven hybrid get up has the potential to travel beyond 800 km on a regular tank of gas and charge. And without any range anxiety or charging challenges.
Fuel consumption is also a moot point. With the battery charged, its zero. When the battery is flat the RAV4 PHEV will still do 6 or 7 litres per hundred. And it’s a sliding scale between those extremes. This PHEV brings traditional hybrid self-charging, petrol engine back-up and range benefits, with the additional performance a full battery EV mode. There’d also a cost advantage considering this Toyota PHEV’s European prices.
THE SOONER TOYOTA BRINGS PHEV TO SA, THE BETTER!
Yes, electric driving still has a significant mountain to climb around the world, judging by those industry struggles. And in Africa? Oh dear! Which is why the RAV4 PHEV makes so much sense to us.
It has the power and clean efficiency of a full EV. But without any range anxiety or charging worries. And the sooner Toyota launches a PHEV in South Africa, the better. Bring it on! – Michele Lupini
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Toyota RAV4 PHEV (prototype)
Engine: 136 kW 227 Nm 2.5-litre petrol I4
Motors: 134 kW 270 Nm + 40 kW 121 Nm electric
Battery: 18.1 kWh lithium-ion
Drive: CVT /Electric AWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 2.84 sec
0-100 km/h: 5.88 sec
0-120 km/h: 7.86 sec
0-160 km/h: 13.67 sec
400m: 14.2 sec @ 162km/h
80-120 km/h: 3.76 sec
120-160 km/h: 5.37 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 180 km/h
Fuel: 1.0 l/100 km
Energy: 16.6 kWh/100km
CO2: 22 g/km
EV Range: 80 km
Total Range: 800 km
Warranty/Service: N/A
LIST PRICE: R1.050M*
*Estimated