Toyota’s TRD line-up could soon expand, as the RAV4 crossover might get a spicy new version in the near future.
Maybe RAV4 isn’t the first model that comes to mind when you think of Toyota Racing Development division, butneither was the Tacoma TRD Pro, and yet Toyota took the wraps off the model at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show.
That said, Automobile Magazine reports that while talking about the rally car version of the RAV4 at the aforementioned event, Toyota division general manager Bill Fay hinted a TRD-enhanced variant of the crossover, saying:
“You might just find some of that TRD racing magic trickle down to a special production RAV4 model. That would be awesome.”
Yes, it would, Mr. Fay, although we can’t imagine the RAV4’s style aligning to that of the rugged Tacoma, Tundra and 4Runner TRD, but instead adopt a more chiseled, sportier appearance. Nevertheless, a rally-inspired RAV4 sounds like an interesting proposition, which would sit above the existing sport-oriented SE Trim.
Unfortunately, we don’t know what could be happening under the hood of such a model, but hopefully, it will be more powerful than any current powertrain variant offered in the current range.
Source: http://www.carscoops.com/2016/02/toyota-mulling-rav4-trd-special.html