It’s high time for a new Toyota RAV4, given that it’s been about seven years since the fifth-generation XA50 was revealed to the world. Right on cue, a leaked image of the next model has allegedly made its way onto Weibo, according to Australian portal Drive.
The image was purportedly taken at a Chinese dealer conference discussing GAC Toyota products – the joint venture currently produces the fifth-gen model in Guangzhou as the Wildlander with unique front and rear ends. However, the image does match a spyshot of a camouflage prototype that surfaced on the CocheSpias forum down to the design details.
The front end sports Toyota’s latest “Hammerhead” design language, with C-shaped headlights joined together by a slim grille – a look first seen on the latest Prius and has also been picked up by the new Camry. The body-coloured honeycomb grille, on the other hand, is similar to that of the facelifted Corolla Cross, as are the large inlets flanking it and the downturned air intake underneath.
Moving rearwards, the distinctive raised bonnet edges – presumably to make it easier to see the front corners – lead into the (probably optional) black roof, while the chiselled sides provide greater emphasis of the upswept window line and rear fender bulge.
The squared-off wheel arches and black plastic rockers, meanwhile, are very similar to the outgoing model, hinting that the new sixth-gen model could be built on the existing K variant of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) rather than being an all-new car. A similar approach was taken for the aforementioned Camry and is expected to be adopted by the next-gen Hilux Travo, albeit here the sheetmetal at least is all new.
Expect the new RAV4 to come with some new tech, including larger screens and an advanced voice control feature. The car should also get an upgrade to the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of driver assists, while mechanically a brace of new hybrid powertrains are likely. In the Camry, the latest electrically-assisted 2.5 litre Dynamic Force engine produces 230 PS and delivers a range of 1,250 km.
According to Japanese website Creative Trend, the RAV4 is also rumoured to get an upgraded plug-in hybrid powertrain that boosts the pure electric range to around 130 km. A fully-electric variant could also be offered for the first time since the last Tesla-powered model in 2014.
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That’so ugly. The Crown Sport should be toyota answer to tackle chinese competitors. But the price should be cheaper too!!
come malaysia sell at 300k?