Toyota RAV4 is fed up with cities and wants to eat up the land
This page is translated from the original post "Le Toyota RAV 4 en a marre des villes et veut bouffer de la terre" in French.
- 10/11/2024 9:27
The RAV-X concept redefines what a small urban-oriented SUV could offer to true off-road enthusiasts.
Toyota unveiled the RAV-X at the 2024 SEMA Show, a radical small off-road SUV concept based on a model that certainly looks rugged but no longer has the DNA of its legendary predecessor, the RAV 4. The unique aspect of this model is that it was developed entirely in-house by the manufacturer’s spare parts division, SPAD. This division sees everyday owners of RAV 4 come to inquire about modifications to make their small SUV more versatile. They compiled these requests, created initial sketches, and designed CAD models before 3D printing the parts and assembling the final product.
A 2024 plug-in hybrid RAV4 PHEV served as the base for construction, providing a combined power of around 302 horsepower before being fitted with a dynamic air intake that added some horsepower. Engineers noted that the low center of gravity, due to the placement of the battery, made it an ideal platform for good off-road performance despite the inevitable added weight from hybridization.
RAV Spirit
A long-travel suspension with custom components allowed for a 51 mm increase in vehicle height and a 160 mm widening of the track. Of course, fully adjustable shock absorbers at both front and rear are included. To ensure the vehicle doesn’t break down at the first obstacle, SPAD engineers developed forged aluminum lower control arms and rear upper supports.
An Dakar-inspired front bumper with integrated cooling ducts and custom wheel arch spacers with front wheel ventilation effectively dissipate heat. To fill the generous wheel arches, the team fitted forged aluminum wheels measuring 17×8.5 inches, mounted with 265/65R17 tires at each corner.
The RAV-X’s aerodynamic kit includes an aggressive rear spoiler and a striking ventilation system across the entire front cladding designed to relieve pressure zones on the engine and front wheel wells. A dual exhaust in the rear bumper signals to competitors that they’ll need to work hard to keep up.
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