With the launch of the sixth-generation RAV4, Toyota also introduced a sportier GR variant. It's not a full-blown GR model, only getting the GR Sport badge, but a hotter crossover could be on the horizon if consumers demand it.
In an interview with Australia’s Drive publication, the crossover’s chief engineer, Yoshinori Futonagane, revealed that a larger engine would actually fit under the RAV4's hood. He stated, "We could actually fit a 2.4-liter turbo in that engine compartment."
Toyota’s turbocharged 2.4-liter T24A-FTS engine powers several Lexus models and other Toyota vehicles. The engine produces 275 horsepower in the RX350 and up to 366 hp in the RX 500h when combined with the automaker’s electric hybrid system.
Just the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine alone wouldn't outdo the GR Sport's plug-in hybrid powertrain, which puts out 320 horsepower and boasts suspension and steering systems honed by the GR engineering division.
A hot GR RAV4 is not currently on Toyota's immediate roadmap. Futonagane revealed that the automaker already considers the GR Sport "powerful enough," but that sentiment could shift. He commented:
‘If people started making some noise and saying, 'Yeah, we want a 2.4-liter turbo,' then it might find its way onto the agenda.’
View Price on AmazonWhile there are "no official plans at the moment," there seems to be only one remaining hurdle to a GR RAV4: executive approval. Futonagane noted, "The only bits that are missing is a corporate appreciation for the market demand and the potential 'wow' factor."
If Toyota gives the green light to a GR RAV4, it will likely boast a different powertrain than the T24A-FTS. The automaker is developing a new family of 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder combustion engines, which are also slated to power Toyota’s future GR models.
The upcoming 2.0-liter engine, for example, could make up to 600 hp.
Motor1's Take:
We're skeptical that Toyota has immediate plans to drop its turbocharged 2.4-liter into the RAV4 anytime soon, especially with a fresh lineup of engines in the works. However, that doesn't mean the automaker isn't eyeing a hotter GR variant. If the larger 2.4-liter engine can squeeze in, couldn't that 600-hp 2.0-liter also find a home, right?
Source: motor1.com
