Enhanced Hilux hits the spot
The war for supremacy in the ute market is still being waged by market leaders Toyota and Ford, with the Hilux and Ranger.
Toyota's recently launched, fifth generation RAV4 is said to build on its 25-year legacy with its charismatic design, improved performance, advanced technology and fuel efficiency.
First unveiled in 1989 at the Tokyo Motorshow, the RAV4 has become New Zealand’s biggest selling SUV with 398,551 sold and a following among drivers of all ages.
In a first for Toyota NZ’s SUV line-up, a hybrid powertrain will debut in the 2019 RAV4 and will be available in three grades -- GX, GXL and Limited, all in all-wheel drive. Two all wheel-drive petrol grades (GXL and Adventure) and three front-wheel drive petrol grades (GX, GXL and Limited) will complete the line-up.
The 2019 RAV4 comes in three powertrain options, including a 2.5L hybrid-electric petrol engine model of 131kW and mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT). This increases to 163kW2 when combined with the hybrid system.
In addition, the RAV4 hybrid includes an E-Four AWD system that uses a dedicated electric motor to power the rear wheels when needed. The system sends up to 50% of the torque to the rear axle and the differential can then send it in varying amounts to the individual wheels. Operating independently from the hybrid system’s front electric motor, and driving the rear wheels alone, the E-Four smoothly switches the RAV4 Hybrid AWD to all wheel-drive on slippery road surfaces and from stationary starts.
Three town-oriented front-wheel drive petrol variants (GX, GXL and Limited) all have a newly designed 127kW/203Nm 2.0L direct injection petrol engine coupled with a direct-shift CVT combination. The new Dynamic Force 152kW/243Nm 2.5L in-line four-cylinder engine is paired with an 8-speed direct shift automatic transmission in the all wheel-drive petrol GXL and Adventure models.
The Adventure also has a Toyota first – a dynamic torque vectoring AWD system.
Petrol all wheel-drive models also offer a multi-terrain option allowing the driver to select from mud and sand mode for beach driving or rock and dirt for off-road trails.
The 2019 RAV4 is made on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform. It has a low centre of gravity, much increased body rigidity and is wider, higher and longer (2690mm) than the current model. This allows more cabin space, particularly in the back seat, better access to the rear and a larger rear door opening angle.
The E-Four system’s extra traction gives the hybrid AWD a 1500kg towing capacity, said by the maker to be among the highest achieved by a hybrid vehicle. This is matched by the 2.5L petrol model. The 2WD 2.0L petrol model can tow 800kg, and all models include trailer sway control which integrates braking of individual wheels and engine torque control to help quickly bring a swaying trailer back under control.
The eight-variant range all includes all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking (including detection of pedestrians and daylight cyclists), road sign assist, lane tracing assist and automatic high beam.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…