'Green' tech, price cuts for RAV4

Toyota's RAV4 pulls up for some minor styling changes and adds new Optimal drive technology. Prices are down, too…

All models within the RAV4 range have been subjected to the styling upgrade first seen at the Bologna Motor Show late last year.

The SUV gets a new front end treatment with revised head- and fog lamps and a new grille, while a new tail light cluster is evident at the rear. Turn indicators are now integrated into the side mirrors.

As for its interior, the centre cluster and instrument panel have been revised and a Bluetooth interface has been added to models equipped with the top-spec VX specification.

Turbodiesel models are now powered by an revised version of the 2.2 litre D-4D direct injection engine where design improvements ensure increased power with lower fuel consumption.

Power on the Optimal Drive engine is up by 10% to 110 kW at 3 600 r/min while torque is also up by 10% to 340 Nm from 2 000 – 2 800 r/min.

However, fuel consumption according to Toyota is down by 11% to 5.9 l/100 km and CO2 emissions are lower at 155 g/km (from 173 g/km).

To aid these improvements, the engine uses the latest generation piezo fuel injectors, a combustion chamber that's been reshaped to enhance torque at low engine speeds, and an advanced oil pump design that optimises oil circulation.

Throughout the engine, weight reduction has been a key concern and NVH characteristics are said to have been addressed, too.

Prices:
2.0 Petrol GX 5-sp manual - R287 700 (down R23 000)
2.0 Petrol VX 5-sp manual - R345 200 (down R5 800)
2.0 Petrol VX 4-sp auto - R356 200 (down R6 100)
2.2 Turbodiesel GX 6-sp manual - R363 700
2.2 Turbodiesel VX 6-sp manual - R408 600