2007 Toyota RAV4

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2007 Toyota RAV4
  • Horsepower: 269 @ 6,200
  • Torque: 246@4,700
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
  •  A new style of vehicle at launch in 1994: fashionable and fun
  •  An instant sales success and attracting new customers to Toyota
  •  RAV4 third generation, to set new benchmarks for product quality and driving performance

History

  •  A concept born in 1989
  •  Recreational Active Vehicle with 4 wheel-Drive, RAV4, first launched in 1994
  •  Fully revised in 2000
  •  Worldwide sales success
  •  Best selling SUV ever built
  •  Best selling SUV in Europe

The Toyota RAV4 is the best selling compact SUV ever built (more than 1,835, 000 models sold worldide to end of 2004) and continues to be a success throughout world markets. The two major markets for RAV4 have been the USA and Europe – where just under 30% of all RAV4 sales have been achieved.

The Toyota RAV4 is the best selling SUV model in Europe and, as already indicated, sales volumes continue to grow despite the present generation now being in the fifth year of its product cycle. In full year 2004, RAV4 took 26% of the compact SUV sales in Europe with just over 109,000 units, despite the increasing competitive market place in which it now sells.
In 2005 (to-date) RAV4 sales have accounted for 21% of all compact SUV sales in Europe. It has to be remembered that compact SUV sales have themselves grown by over 300% in Europe in the last 10 years – much of it fuelled by the success of RAV4. Total RAV4 sales in Europe to date have been up to 655,000 units.

The new challenge

  •  To maintain best selling status
  •  To set new benchmarks for product quality and driving performance
  •  To enter the premium compact SUV segment

-----

Design

  •  Rugged and modern design theme
  •  Superior perceived quality throughout
  •  Compact outside, big inside
  •  Maximum modularity for families
  •  Premium equipment levels
  •  Styling cues from previous generations
  •  Increased length and width
  •  Strong premium quality
  • Compact outside, big inside

Premium interior design and ingenious package

  •  Premium quality interior design
  •  Open and spacious feeling

Practical, flexible interior

  •  Unique Toyota Easy Flat seating
  •  Flexible luggage and storage space
  •  Numerous comfort and convenience features
  •  Hi-tech analogue meters
  •  Six language multi-information display
  •  Air conditioning as standard
  • Full map, DVD navigation available

-----

Premium equipment



  •  High performance D-4D 180 engine
  •  Disctinctive exterior styling
  •  Top speed 200 km/h; 0-100 km/h in 9.3 secs
  • Premium equipment levels
  • -----

    Engines


    •  D-4D Clean Power diesel technology
    •  Most powerful diesel in segment
    •  Latest development of 2.0-litre VVT-i
    •  All aluminium cylinder block
    •  Low compression ratios
    •  Advanced variable nozzle turbochargers
    • io  Clean Power engine
    •  Most powerful diesel in segment
    •  Equipped with Toyota D-CAT
    •  Piezoelectric diesel injectors
    •  High performance, ceramic glow plugs
    •  Predicted to be best seller
    •  Balanced performance and fuel economy
    •  Reduced noise and vibration

    Toyota RAV4 equipped with the D-4D 135 diesel is predicted to be the range’s best seller. It will be available across the model range and offers customers a remarkable combination of performance and economy.

    Like the D-4D 180, this engine uses 32-bit processor technology for accurate and optimum control of main engine functions, leading to enhanced engine efficiency. With maximum power output of 100kW (136 DIN hp) this engine allows the new RAV4 to reach a top speed of 180 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds.

    Maximum torque of 310 Nm over the engine range of 2,000 rpm to 2,800 rpm gives excellent mid-gear acceleration and flexible driving performance while preserving remarkable fuel economy. The Toyota RAV4 D-4D 135 combined fuel consumption is 6.6 litres/100km.

    With its low compression ratio of 16.8:1, the D-4D 135 is one of the smoothest diesel engines on the market today. This is further enhanced by the adoption of scissor gear driven balancer shafts which improve acceleration feel, reduce engine vibration and reduce noise at high engine speeds. Combustion noise is also reduced, and throttle response improved, by the fitment of a rotary solenoid diesel throttle and a highly responsive, linear Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve control.

    The high pressure, third generation, common-rail diesel injection runs at pressures up to 1,700 bar using highly robust solenoid injectors.

    Six-speed manual transmission

    • • Standard for diesel engines
    • • Maximum performance and economy
    • • Smooth, slick gear changes
    •  Latest development of 2.0 petrol
    •  More advanced engine control
    •  Four speed automatic transmission available

    -----

    Chassis

    •  Integrated Active Drive System enhances performance, handling and safety
    •  World first in this segment
    •  Unobtrusive activation to improve driving experience
    •  Individual speed sensors for each of the 4 wheels, which monitor the vehicle’s speed.
    •  The yaw-rate sensor, which monitors the attitude of the vehicle, and acceleration and deceleration sensors fitted to both sides, front and back of the vehicle.
    •  The throttle sensor, crankshaft position sensor, brake pressure and pedal stroke sensor, steering angle sensor and steering torque sensor, which determine the degree of driver input and provide integrated control.
    •  And finally, the electric power steering actuator that provides steering torque assistance when needed

    The input received from all the sensors allows the Integrated Active Drive System to determine any deviation from normal dynamics parameters and will automatically activate a coordinated counter-measure to maximise the performance and stability of the vehicle.

    Active Torque Control 4WD

    •  Key element of Integrated Active Drive System
    •  Adjusts torque transfer front to rear
    •  Ensure optimum stability under all driving conditions
    •  Second key element of Integrated Active Drive System
    •  Works with EPS to add steering torque assistance
    •  Helps driver input correct steering control
    •  adjustment of the engine output to reduce wheel spin
    •  braking of individual wheels to reduce wheel spin
    •  steering torque assist to help driver input correct steering angle
    •  torque transfer between front and rear to improve stability


    Oversteer

    In an oversteer situation, the rear of the vehicle starts to swing away from the line of cornering and the nose tends to tuck in. The Integrated Active Drive System will sense that the vehicle is about to slide and will apply the necessary controls to bring it back into line:

    •  adjustment of the engine output
    •  independent braking to appropriate wheels to adjust line
    •  steering wheel torque assist will be applied in the counter-steering (opposite lock) direction to help driver input correct steering angle
    •  torque transfer to the front wheels to improve stability.

    The Integrated Active Drive System will adjust the torque transfer depending on the extent of the oversteer. In small oversteer (or at the start of a skid) the drive torque can vary between100:0 and 55:45 (depending on driver’s throttle operation) for stability and acceleration out of the situation. As the oversteer increases the torque can fully be transferred to the front (100:0) for greater stability.

    Understeer
    In an understeer situation, the nose of the vehicle starts to drift away from the line of cornering and the vehicle tends to run wide. The Integrated Active Drive System will sense that the vehicle is about to slide and will apply the necessary controls to bring it back into line:

    •  adjustment of the engine output
    •  independent braking to appropriate wheels to adjust line
    •  steering torque assist to help driver input correct steering angle.
    •  torque transfer to the rear wheel to improve stability. Once again, the Integrated Active


    Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
    The driver has additional control of the RAV4 on slippery or difficult hill-start conditions with the fitment of a new assist control. This prevents the vehicle from slipping back when the parking brake is off and is now available on both manual and automatic transmission models.

    Hill-start Assist Control can even operate in reverse gear (preventing slip forwards). Hill-start Assist Control operates when the RAV4 is stopped on a slope with the handbrake off. Extra pressure on the brake pedal by the driver applies hydraulic pressure to the wheel brakes and holds them on for a maximum of two seconds – sufficient to allow the vehicle to move off.

    A buzzer sounds to warn the driver the Hill-start Assist Control system has been operated and indicator lights operate. The brakes come off as soon as the accelerator is depressed, if the brake pedal is depressed again or if the two second time limit is reached.

    Downhill Assist Control (DAC)
    Versions of the new RAV4 equipped with automatic transmission also receive Downhill Assist Control (DAC). During a steep descent, the engine brake alone may not be sufficient to reduce speed even when the automatic transaxle shift lever is in the low range. DAC assists the driver by automatically applying appropriate hydraulic pressure to the brakes in order to maintain a constant low speed, without locking the wheels. This allows the driver to concentrate on steering the vehicle.

    Even more driving pleasure

    •  Premium quality ride and handling
    •  All new suspension design
    •  Low levels of noise and vibration
    •  Precise, responsive steering
    •  Redesigned for maximum stability
    •  Improved ride and comfort
    •  New top mount structure
    •  Reduced weight
    •  Excellent straight line stability
    •  Good cornering performance
    •  Extra luggage space in boot
    •  Latest generation Electric Power Steering (EPS)
    •  Less maintenance, more fuel efficient
    •  Precise steering feel and response
    •  Low turning circle

    Extra driving pleasure of the third generation RAV4 is created through the precise steering response, allowing the driver to feel in control with the vehicle at all times. The new RAV4 uses a high response, mechanical rack and pinion with a newly-developed electric power steering (EPS) system, mounted on the steering column. A high efficiency, brushless electric motor applies torque to the column to reduce steering effort. The amount of torque is varied according to vehicle speed – resulting in easy but precise steering effort and excellent steering response.

    The Electric Power Steering is significantly more efficient than older, hydraulic systems and requires less maintenance. Adopting EPS has created a compact, environmentally-friendly system while also enhancing fuel economy. The agility and response of the new RAV4 is highlighted by its tight turning circle (often an issue for customers with SUVs). Despite its increased overall length the new RAV4 will now turn in a 5.1 metre circle.

    Low noise and vibration

    •  Premium quality comfort for passengers
    •  Rigid structure for low vibration
    •  Extra noise insulation under bonnet
    • Class-leading aerodynamics

    -----

    Safety

    •  Maximum focus on safety systems
    •  Impact absorbing body structure
    •  Designed to reduce pedestrian injury
    •  Nine airbags, including driver’s knee
    •  New concept for impact from every direction
    •  Crumple zones to absorb energy
    •  Passenger structure resists deformation
    •  Energy absorbing zones in frontal design
    •  Radiator moved back
    •  Bonnet lock moved and redesigned

    The third generation Toyota RAV4 has been styled and engineered with pedestrian safety as a priority, in keeping with its role as a family car on Europe’s increasingly crowded urban streets.

    Toyota is confident the new RAV4 will achieve high ratings in this area in EuroNCAP testing. Executive Chief Engineer, Kiyotaka Ise, explains: “The shape of the bonnet, grills, lamps and bumpers are of particular concern when dealing with pedestrian safety measures; so we made certain that there was close contact between designers and safety engineers in these areas. We implemented multiple studies and testing. As a result, we were able to design contours that sufficiently ensure pedestrian safety while achieving our modern, rugged design.”

    Management of pedestrian safety requires the creation of energy absorbing zones around the front bumper and wings. There also needs to be energy absorbing space between the bonnet and the top of the engine.

    The new RAV4 utilises energy absorbing brackets in the front wing mountings and an energy absorbing bar on the bottom on the radiator mount (below the bumper) to reduce the likely impact on pedestrians. The radiator has been moved backwards to create extra space behind the bumper and the headlamps have been designed to collapse backwards in the event of a
    collision.

    The bonnet itself has been redesigned to be a deformable structure and the area around the bonnet lock features crash-absorbing reinforcements and a crumple zone. The lock itself has been moved further back, away from the likely area of pedestrian impact.

    At the rear edge of the bonnet, the cowl has an open cross-section structure that allows its underside to crumple. The wiper motor and wiper link arms have been redesigned to reduce possible injuries to pedestrians.

    Safer for occupants

    •  Available with nine SRS airbags
    •  Segment first, driver’s knee airbag
    •  Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) seats
    •  Galvanised steel bodyshell
    •  Anti-chip coatings applied
    •  Comprehensive warranty