Neglect The Prius Prime, Toyota’s Testing A RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV may very well be getting some critical competitors as spy photographers have caught what seems to a plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4.
The mannequin doesn’t look too particular at first look, however a better inspection reveals what’s believed to be a charging port on the passenger aspect rear fender. There doesn’t seem like some other modifications, however that’s not too stunning as this seems to be a powertrain testing prototype.
Little is understood in regards to the mannequin, however it’s going to seemingly use the identical 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that powers the RAV4 Hybrid. That engine produces 176 hp (131 kW / 178 PS) and 163 lb-ft (221 Nm) of torque.
Additionally Learn: 2019 Toyota RAV4 Debuts With A Extra Interesting Strong Design
Whereas the engine ought to carryover, we are able to anticipate extra highly effective electrical motors and a bigger battery pack. Hypothesis suggests this might allow the crossover to journey round 30 miles (48 km) on electrical energy alone.
A number of particulars stay unclear, however the mannequin might ultimately turn into one of the crucial common plug-in hybrids in the marketplace. That is still to be seen, however Toyota offered greater than 427,000 RAV4s in america final yr and there isn’t a lot competitors relating to mainstream plug-in hybrid crossovers.
The exception, in america at the least, is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV which contains a 2.Zero-liter four-cylinder engine, a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and two electrical motors. This setup allows the crossover to have a mixed output of 190 hp (142 kW / 193 PS) and an electric-only vary of 22 miles (35 km).
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Image credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for Carscoops
