The Toyota ‘RAV4 EV’ concept, an electric vehicle jointly developed with Tesla, has made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The RAV4 EV concept is based on the current Toyota RAV4 compact SUV body and fitted with a Tesla electric powertrain.
Destined for production, the final vehicle will have a target range of 100 miles in actual road driving patterns, in a wide range of climates and conditions. In 1997, Toyota brought to market the first-generation RAV4 EV in response to the California zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate and was the first manufacturer to meet the mandate’s Memo of Agreement on volume sales.
Styling for the EV has also been updated and includes a new front bumper, grille, fog and headlights. On the inside, it features multimedia dash displays, push-button shifter and dashboard meters. “When we decided to work together on the RAV4 EV, President Akio Toyoda wanted to adopt a new development model that incorporated Tesla’s streamlined, quick-action approach,” said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer, Toyota Motor Sales USA.
The RAV4 EV received several distinct exterior styling changes including a new front bumper, grille, fog lamps and headlamps. The interior received custom seat trim, multimedia dash displays, push-button shifter and dashboard meters. A total of 35 vehicles will be built for a demonstration and evaluation program through 2011, with the introduction of a final production model in the US in 2012.
Check out Toyota RAV4 EV Video,
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