2012 Toyota rav4

2012 toyota rav4
2012 toyota rav4

Last week, we passed along the news that Toyota would be showcasing its electric RAV4, a vehicle being developed in conjunction with Tesla, at the L.A. auto show. We expected to get the usual full-info download and promised you more details when they surfaced, but we learned at the show that Toyota itself isn’t really sure of the vehicle’s specifics.

What we do know from seeing the car on the show floor is that the first round of Tesla-Toyota RAV4s will differ visually from the gas-powered models—a new front-fascia treatment loses the traditional grille and adds LED fog lights while the rear end receives a new tailgate without the RAV4’s standard spare-tire carrier. But even that might change by the time the RAV4 EV hits the market; Toyota made a point to say that the demonstration vehicles will be based on current-generation cars, which sure makes it sound like the appearance of the fully baked version will coincide with the launch of the next RAV4. So there’s one useful thing we learned—maybe.

Toyota reiterated that Tesla will be responsible for building the EV’s lithium-ion battery pack and powertrain components. The duo is aiming for a 100-mile range with no cargo space lost in the conversion. The team’s first goal is to produce 35 test vehicles, also referred to as “phase 0 cars,” for testing in 2011 before beginning production of the RAV4 EV the following year. Toyota says it’s aiming to make the “phase 1 cars,” due out around 2012, drive like a conventional RAV4.

In the meantime, we’re left hanging with Toyota stating that, “many decisions regarding both the product, as well as the business model, have not been finalized. Battery size and final output ratings, as well as pricing and volume projections of the vehicle Toyota plans to bring to market in 2012, have not been decided.” So, like we said, it’s all a bit nebulous.