An undisguised Toyota RAV4 was spotted on test in India, sparking speculations about its launch in the country in the coming months.
Back in August last year it was rumoured that the Japanese carmaker has plans to launch the hybrid SUV in India by mid-2021.
Most likely to be brought in as a completely built-up unit (CBU), the SUV, will come powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine that works with a hybrid system. The total power output would be 218 HP and the engine will be mated to a CVT.
There is a bonus to having the hybrid system, which, apart from improving fuel economy, also enables the SUV to have all-wheel-drive.
It is not a large SUV by any standards, for it measures 4600 mm long, 1855 mm wide and 1685 mm tall, while the wheelbase is 2690 mm. What it means though is one does not have to worry too much about using it around India’s crowded cities.
Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, the Toyota RAV4 spotted on test (fifth-generation model) does have strong, angular styling. Although a front profile image of this particular car is not available, the side and rear sections are clearly seen.
Riding on alloy wheels, the RAV4 has body cladding around the wheel arches and in the lower part of the doors, an upswept beltline, chrome garnish on the upper part of the window line and on the door handles.
The hybrid SUV also has roof rails, while at the rear, there is a roof spoiler, a raked windscreen with wiper, stylish tail lamps connected by a thick chrome trim piece and a small bumper under which sit the twin exhaust outlets.
It is likely that Toyota will bring in a fully loaded model to India, for the asking price of the RAV4 will be high (expected to be around Rs. 60 lakhs) due to it being a CBU model.
Source – Ayush Nimkar on Instagram