2013 Special Showcase Site

[trustee]

Hi All,
Please check out the following site for full details and a wonderful showcase of the brand new 2013 RAV4. Assuming some of these will soon show up on our US site once Toyota figures out exact release dates, etc. :

RAV4 Special Site | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE

I personally love the history section of all models leading up to the 4.4

Let me know what you all think. Has very good comparisons in the videos to the features of the previous gen model.

[bigbird1]

Not impressed. Too much multimedia fluff and no hard facts.

[doane2u]

It's going to be a very cool website once they get it all working.. most of the videos won't load. Especially enjoyed the 3d merry go round views with the flying cats/mice, ducks, etc... very well done, but it takes for ever to load.
I agee that they need more statistics and information, but I'm sure that will come soon.

[DVS]

I found it extremely interesting that if you scroll down to the history section and you click on "3rd" for the 4.3 history, in one place they mention the original 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, and later in the "performance" section shey show a picture of the 2AZ-FE 4-cylinder engine and in the details you can see a diagram of an inline 4-cylinder engine.

But there is not even a mention or hint anywhere of the V6.

Let's just sweep that little "mistake" under the rug, shall we?

One would sure think if you're going to have a "performance" section, the V6 would be at the very, very top of the list.

If you only talk about the 2.4L (which was only available the first half of that generation) and you conveniently "forget" about the class-leading V6, it sure makes the 2.5L that's the only engine available in the 4th generation look like an improvement, doesn't it?

Gotta love those marketing people.

[JuneBug]

Originally Posted by DVS

I found it extremely interesting that if you scroll down to the history section and you click on "3rd" for the 4.3 history, in one place they mention the original 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, and later in the "performance" section shey show a picture of the 2AZ-FE 4-cylinder engine and in the details you can see a diagram of an inline 4-cylinder engine.

But there is not even a mention or hint anywhere of the V6.

I think the reason for this is the site is a "global" one designed to be relevant in all the 150+ countries where the RAV4 is sold. The 2AZ is probably under the hood of the majority of the 4.3's globally. There is also no mention of the diesels as far as I know. Even though N. America got the 2AR in 2009, the 2AZ was still used in S. America and in most countries around the world.

[doane2u]

Yes, very interesting... maybe they want us to forget about it.

Also very interesting that the model shots feature concept pictures, not the fianl results.. the idea for the 4.3 was prettty wild looking!

[Meander]

Still don't know whether 4.4 Rav will have sliding backseats. Unless I missed it the video is not showing it. And please show more technical data. Although it seem that the next generation of the Rav 4 comes loaded to the gills I'm worried it will be priced out of the market for many potential buyers not to mention it lost its character as a mild off-roader to gizmo filled grocery getter.
I agree with others that the videos load a bit slow, surely Toyota can improve that.

[DVS]

From what I remember reading, the back seats no longer slide back and forth, but still offer the ability to recline to different angles.

2013 Toyota RAV4 at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show - KickingTires

> "All RAV4s feature a 60/40-split second row; seats recline but don't slide. A third-row option is no longer available..."

Agreed: more technical specifications would be great, to get a better understanding of it.

[Meander]

Thanks DVS , it looks Toyota is "killing me softly with its designs".
To summarize it the new Rav 4 offers :
1 Lower ground clearance
2 No sliding back seat
3 Less back seat leg room
4 Less hp
5 Slower acceleration
6 No engine option
7 Less towing capacity with no V6
8 Higher price (assumption on my part)

Heep,Heep, Hooray.

[doane2u]

Originally Posted by DVS

From what I remember reading, the back seats no longer slide back and forth, but still offer the ability to recline to different angles.

2013 Toyota RAV4 at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show - KickingTires

> "All RAV4s feature a 60/40-split second row; seats recline but don't slide. A third-row option is no longer available..."

Agreed: more technical specifications would be great, to get a better understanding of it.

I wonder if they are easily removable? I haven't even thought to try to remove the ones in my 2010, but the ones in my 2002 were easy to remove and replace, though a bit heavy.