Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[<i>Popular Science</i> magazine's Best Of What's New 2012 all ate up with cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/popular-science-magazines-best-of-whats-new-2012-all-at/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/popular-science-magazines-best-of-whats-new-2012-all-at/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/popular-science-magazines-best-of-whats-new-2012-all-at/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,



Popular Science has named the winners in its Best of What's New awards, the victors coming in the categories of aerospace, automotive, engineering, entertainment, gadgets, green, hardware, health, home, recreation, security and software. The automotive category did not go wanting for lauded advancements:
  • Tesla Model S: the Grand Award winner for being "the standard by which all future electric vehicles will be measured."
  • BMW 328i: it's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gets called out for being more powerful and frugal than the six-cylinder it replaces.
  • Ferrari F12 Berlinetta: towering power, towering top speed, 30 percent more fuel efficient than the 599 Fiorano it replaces.
  • Toyota RAV4 EV: the all-electric SUV accelerates better than many conventional SUVs, goes 100 mph and actually beats EPA mileage estimates.
  • Porsche Cayenne Diesel: 406 pound-feet of torque, 33 highway mpg, up to 800 miles from a single tank and Cayenne style, give 'em a trophy.
  • 2013 Ford Fusion: its three flavors - standard, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid - "are the most efficient models in their classes," that latter one expected to outdo the Chevrolet Volt's EPA mileage rating.
  • The DeltaWing: gets kudos for being "the most efficient racecar in history."
  • Mercedes-Benz Magic Vision Control: a holistic solution to keeping your windshield clean and clear year-round.
  • General Motors' MyLink: takes the in-car computer out of the car, puts it in the driver's smartphone.
  • Infiniti Back-Up Collision Intervention: rear-mounted radar and sonar keep track of what's behind you and brake automatically if an obstacle is detected so you don't hit things when you back that Infiniti up.
The automotive category tied with categories like aerospace and health for the number of awards. Congratulations to all the winners, head on over to PopSci for the full details on each of them.

Popular Science magazine's Best Of What's New 2012 all ate up with cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>328iBack-up Collision Preventionbmwcayenne dieseldeltawingfordfusiongminfinitimagic vision controlmercedes-benzmodel smylinknissan deltawingporscherav4 evteslatoyotaTue, 20 Nov 2012 17:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20381608/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/20/popular-science-magazines-best-of-whats-new-2012-all-at/20381608/article-detail.xml 20381608 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/psawards_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/psawards.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/2013-toyota-rav4-ev-first-drive-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/2013-toyota-rav4-ev-first-drive-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/2013-toyota-rav4-ev-first-drive-review-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tesla-Hearted Toyota Offers Real Sport And Utility

2012 RAV4 EV

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV is the most advanced Alpha prototype electric vehicle we've ever driven. Or maybe it's a poster child for the 21st Century automotive industry where all sorts of new things are being tried, like when old-school automakers and ambitious start-ups find common purpose in rushing an all-electric crossover to market in two years. Or maybe it's the end result of a decade-long process of getting the Japanese automaker to bring back its popular - by EV standards, anyway - first-gen RAV4 EV for the new era of electric cars? It is, of course, all of these things, and that's what makes the RAV4 EV such an interesting vehicle: It not only offers surprisingly good performance on the road, it can also tell you some compelling stories as you jump from 0-60 in seven seconds. In a CUV. With an easy-to-achieve 100-mile range.

Most compelling, perhaps, is that the RAV4 EV is a real electric crossover with a real on-sale date. Namely, $49,800 (before any tax credits) and late summer 2012. Of course, the problem, aside from the hefty price, is that this CUV will only be available - initially, anyway - in four major California markets: Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego and Los Angeles/Orange County. Since the RAV4 EV will go on sale in The OC (don't call it that), it made sense that Toyota brought journalists to Newport Beach for some time behind the wheel. If you're not interested in the technical details or the three story lines we saw represented, here's all you need to know. When we first put the RAV4 EV into Sport driving mode, our honest reaction was to say out loud: "Holy crap!"

Continue reading 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video]

2012 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 rav4 evfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivemodel smodel xrav4rav4 evteslatoyotaMon, 06 Aug 2012 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20293793/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/06/2013-toyota-rav4-ev-first-drive-review-video/20293793/article-detail.xml 20293793 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/03-2013-toyota-rav4-ev-fd-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/03-2013-toyota-rav4-ev-fd-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/toyota-rav4-ev-priced-at-49-800/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/toyota-rav4-ev-priced-at-49-800/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/toyota-rav4-ev-priced-at-49-800/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Toyota RAV4 EV

Announced almost two years ago, Toyota finally gave us some more details about the was the all-electric RAV4 EV will be sold to the general public during the 26th Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles today. The important number? The MSRP for what Toyota calls a "fully equipped" RAV4 EV is $49,800 and will be available before the end of the year.

Toyota says the RAV4 EV's range is 100 miles and that the car will charge from empty in approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The new RAV4 EV has LED and halogen headlights and it has special "environmental blue" color emblems on the outside. The vehicle will be made at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc., plant in Woodstock, Ontario. The first generation of the new RAV4 EV was unveiled back at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. Our First Drive report is here.

With a battery and powertrain designed by Tesla, the new RAV4 EV certainly appears to be one of the new breed of compliance EVs. We had heard that the RAV4 EV will be lease only, but the official press release says the car "will go on sale in late summer 2012 through select dealers, initially in four major California metropolitan markets." Those markets are Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego and the news matches the rumor we heard last year, that sales about be limited to California. In all, Toyota hopes to sell just 2,600 units in the next three years. Nissan Leaf, you've got nothing to worry about.

Continue reading Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800

Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleevsevs26msrprav4rav4 electricrav4 evrav4 ev priceteslatoyotatoyota rav4toyota rav4 electricMon, 07 May 2012 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20233197/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/toyota-rav4-ev-priced-at-49-800/20233197/article-detail.xml 20233197 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyotarav4evopt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyotarav4evopt.jpg <![CDATA['All new' Toyota RAV4 EV coming to EVS26 next week]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/new-toyota-rav4-ev-coming-to-evs26-next-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/new-toyota-rav4-ev-coming-to-evs26-next-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/new-toyota-rav4-ev-coming-to-evs26-next-week/#commentstoyota rav4 ev electric badge

There could not be a more bland teaser for the upcoming all-electric "all new" Toyota RAV4 EV than the one Toyota just released: silver sheetmetal with a badge that simply reads "Electric." To see the rest of the vehicle, we will have to wait until the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS) gets started in Los Angeles next week. Luckily, we will be in LA with a camera or two and will bring you the full details from the show Monday, May 7. For now, all we know is what we've learned about the prototype that Toyota and Tesla have been showing for a while. For example, it will likely only be sold in California. Read our Quick Spin here.

Speaking of EVS, what's kind of surprising is that this year is the 26th edition of the show. Yes, even as we're just seeing the dawn of the modern EV era, some groups have been working on these vehicles for decades. It's a long road to get off of gasoline.

Continue reading 'All new' Toyota RAV4 EV coming to EVS26 next week

'All new' Toyota RAV4 EV coming to EVS26 next week originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 toyota rav4 ev2014 toyota rav4 evelectric vehicle symposiumevsevs 26evs26international electric vehicle symposiumrav4rav4 evtoyotatoyota electric vehicletoyota rav4 evMon, 30 Apr 2012 15:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20227422/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/30/new-toyota-rav4-ev-coming-to-evs26-next-week/20227422/article-detail.xml 20227422 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/rav4-ev-electric-badge-teaser-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/rav4-ev-electric-badge-teaser-628.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota RAV4 EV production set for Ontario, Canada]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/05/toyota-rav4-ev-production-set-for-ontario-canada/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/05/toyota-rav4-ev-production-set-for-ontario-canada/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/05/toyota-rav4-ev-production-set-for-ontario-canada/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Toyota RAV4 EV

All 2012 RAV4 EV models destined for the U.S. will be manufactured in Ontario, Canada, according to Toyota Motor North America senior vice-president Ray Tanguay.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Center for Automotive Research's Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, MI, Tanguay told Ward's Auto: "Yes, we're just going into final details right now. Obviously we're not going to [import it from] Japan - that would make no sense." Tanguay says Toyota's factory in Woodstock, Ontario, current site of production for all U.S.-bound RAV4s, will easily accommodate assembly of the electrified crossover.

The precise on-sale date of the RAV4 EV is, according to Tanguay, "still in negotiation," but Toyota has committed to 2012 for its retail launch. Furthermore, Tanguay says:
"We don't know the spec; we don't know the content. All we know basically is we have an agreement to develop this with Tesla, and we have to assemble that vehicle in North America.
To back up Tanguay's words, Toyota today confirmed that Ontario will be the site of production for the RAV4 EV. For the official press release, click through to the jump.

Continue reading Toyota RAV4 EV production set for Ontario, Canada

Toyota RAV4 EV production set for Ontario, Canada originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rav-4rav4 electricrav4 evray tanguayteslatesla motorstoyotatoyota canadatoyota ontariotoyota rav4toyota rav4 evFri, 05 Aug 2011 13:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20010544/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/05/toyota-rav4-ev-production-set-for-ontario-canada/20010544/article-detail.xml 20010544 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/toyota-rav4-ev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/toyota-rav4-ev.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Toyota RAV4 EV will "definitely be sold to the general public"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/2012-toyota-rav4-ev-will-definitely-be-sold-to-the-general-publ/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/2012-toyota-rav4-ev-will-definitely-be-sold-to-the-general-publ/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/2012-toyota-rav4-ev-will-definitely-be-sold-to-the-general-publ/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota RAV4 EV

Recent reports, including ours, have incorrectly stated the 2012 RAV4 EV will only be sold to fleet and car sharing organizations. Though we now know that's not true, we'd like to set the record straight by quoting an official response from Toyota about the inaccurate reports:
The 2012 RAV4 EV will definitely be sold to the general public. We anticipate robust public interest in the RAV4 EV and are keen to inform consumers that their future vehicle options include a battery electric Toyota.

Toyota is the only manufacturer bringing two battery electric vehicles to the market in 2012 - the RAV4 EV and the Scion iQ EV. While the RAV4 EV will be available to the public, the Scion iQ EV will be marketed to fleet and car sharing programs only.
So, perhaps a model name mix-up triggered the erroneous reports? Either way, we're glad that the all-electric crossover will be available for retail sale. Thirsty for more details on the electric RAV4? Check out Autoblog Green's quick spin of the prototype RAV4 EV.

Continue reading 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV will "definitely be sold to the general public"

2012 Toyota RAV4 EV will "definitely be sold to the general public" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric crossoverelectric suvrav4 electricrav4 evscion iq electricscion iq evtoyotatoyota rav4 electrictoyota rav4 evTue, 19 Jul 2011 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19995008/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/19/2012-toyota-rav4-ev-will-definitely-be-sold-to-the-general-publ/19995008/article-detail.xml 19995008 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/toyota-rav4-ev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/toyota-rav4-ev.jpg <![CDATA[Quick Spin: Toyota RAV4 EV]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/toyota-rav4-ev-quick-spin-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/toyota-rav4-ev-quick-spin-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/toyota-rav4-ev-quick-spin-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A Solid Electric CUV, For A Prototype

Toyota RAV4 EV
Toyota RAV4 EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ahh, the joys of driving a prototype vehicle. During the annual Toyota Sustainable Mobility Seminar in San Diego, California this week, Toyota brought in a handful of all-electric RAV4 EVs for us to tool around in, but there were some caveats: The route was decidedly highway-free; when it rained one afternoon, we were told it would be better to wait to drive the cars; and one journalist had a problem with his vehicle that made it sluggish. The biggest asterisk in the whole program, though, was that the RAV4 EVs we were testing are only a pale shadow of what the real RAV4 EVs will be like when Toyota releases them in the first quarter of 2012.

Why's that? Because the current fleet of new RAV4 EVs was an intentional rush job by Toyota's partner Tesla Motors to get vehicles into auto shows and on the road. A completely separate batch is being built to really get this model ready for production, and it will operate differently than the ones we got to drive this week. Still, we learned a lot about what's coming by checking out what's here today.

Continue reading Quick Spin: Toyota RAV4 EV...


Gallery: Toyota RAV4 EV: Quick Spin

Toyota RAV4 EVToyota RAV4 EV rear 3/4 viewToyota RAV4 EVToyota RAV4 EVToyota RAV4 EV

Photos copyright (C)2011 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

Quick Spin: Toyota RAV4 EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefeaturedquick spinquickspinrav4rav4 evreviewreviewstesla toyotatoyotatoyota rav4 evtoyota sustainable mobility seminarMon, 11 Apr 2011 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19909310/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/11/toyota-rav4-ev-quick-spin-review/19909310/article-detail.xml 19909310 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/toyota-rav4-ev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/toyota-rav4-ev.jpg <![CDATA[LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/toyota-rav4-ev-powered-by-tesla-la-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/toyota-rav4-ev-powered-by-tesla-la-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/toyota-rav4-ev-powered-by-tesla-la-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Toyota RAV4 EV
Toyota RAV4 EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Proudly "Powered by Tesla," the brand-new Toyota RAV4 EV made its debut at the LA Auto Show today, and it's pretty much what you'd expect: a current-generation RAV4 with the heart of a Tesla Roadster. Or maybe a Model S. In any case, one of Silicon Valley's electric cars. As we've known, Tesla's role in the partnership is to develop the powertrain - including the battery, power electronics module, electric motor, gearbox and software - for Toyota's popular CUV.

The RAV4 EV has a long history, as long-time plug-in vehicle fans are well aware. The first-gen version arrived in 1997 and was available for six years. Toyota said today that it sold or leased 1,484 units during that time - and that nearly 750 of them are still in operation - but could never make them a mainstream hit like the Prius. Making these alternative-power vehicles isn't that difficult, said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales' president and chief operating officer, the hard part is bringing them to mainstream customers.

This is the goal of the RAV4 EV, which is scheduled to hit the market in 2012. The initial batch of test vehicles, the so-called Phase Zero machines, are already achieving 100 miles of range, but Toyota engineers are working hard to make sure that the Phase One vehicles (i.e., the next batch) will be able to reach that number no matter what the climate or outside condition is - or, in the words of the press release, "in a wide range of climates and conditions." The engineering team is also focused on drivability and making the electric CUV feel, "as close to a conventional RAV4 as possible." We'll have a more complete post about the RAV4 EV later, but for now you can find plenty more information on Toyota's dedicated RAV4 EV website and check it out from every angle in the gallery below.


Gallery: LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla


Gallery: Toyota RAV4 EV


Live photos copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

Continue reading LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage

LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 la auto showla auto showrav4rav4 evtoyota rav4 evWed, 17 Nov 2010 20:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19723167/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/17/toyota-rav4-ev-powered-by-tesla-la-2010/19723167/article-detail.xml 19723167 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/toyota-rav-4-ev-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/toyota-rav-4-ev-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota and Tesla to debut RAV4 EV love child at 2010 LA Auto Show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/10/toyota-and-tesla-to-debut-rav4-ev-love-child-at-2010-la-auto-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/10/toyota-and-tesla-to-debut-rav4-ev-love-child-at-2010-la-auto-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/10/toyota-and-tesla-to-debut-rav4-ev-love-child-at-2010-la-auto-sho/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Toyota RAV4 EV
Toyota RAV4 EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota and Tesla producing electric vehiclesIn the spring of 2010, Toyota and Tesla announced that they would be working together on future electric vehicle products. The ink is probably still wet on the $60 million contract, but Toyota and Tesla are ready to show off the fruits of their respective labor. The RAV4 EV is slated to make its debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, but Toyota has released a few teaser shots ahead of the full reveal.

Toyota has supplied the RAV4 bodies and a bundle of cash, while Tesla has developed the battery, power electronics module, electric motor, transmission and software. Thousands of laptop-like battery cells will power the RAV4 EV, but we can't speculate on the performance or efficiency figures. Engineers from Toyota will be on hand at the LA Auto Show and we will get the full scoop on the electric CUV before it goes on sale in 2012.


Gallery: Toyota teases the RAV4 EV ahead of the 2010 LA Auto Show

Toyota teases the RAV4 EV ahead of the 2010 LA Auto ShowToyota teases the RAV4 EV ahead of the 2010 LA Auto Show

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota and Tesla to debut RAV4 EV love child at 2010 LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crossoverElectric carevla auto showla auto show 2010laaslos angeles auto showlos angeles auto show 2010rav4rav4 evteslatoyotatoyota rav4toyota rav4 evtoyota tesla evWed, 10 Nov 2010 16:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19711594/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/10/toyota-and-tesla-to-debut-rav4-ev-love-child-at-2010-la-auto-sho/19711594/article-detail.xml 19711594 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/teaser2-prv_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/teaser2-prv.jpg <![CDATA[Officially Official: Tesla inks $60M Toyota deal to supply components for RAV4 EV]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/14/officially-official-tesla-inks-60m-toyota-deal-to-supply-compo/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/14/officially-official-tesla-inks-60m-toyota-deal-to-supply-compo/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/14/officially-official-tesla-inks-60m-toyota-deal-to-supply-compo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Toyota RAV4
Toyota RAV4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

In a regulatory filing submitted on Wednesday, Tesla Motors revealed that it has signed a $60 million contract with Toyota to develop electric powertrain components for a battery-powered RAV4. This agreement states that Tesla will develop the battery, power electronics module, electric motor, gearbox and software for the popular crossover. The filing builds upon an earlier announcement when Toyota and Tesla stated their intentions to partner on the development of future electric vehicles.

Tesla's filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reads:
On October 6, 2010, Tesla Motors, Inc. ("Tesla") entered into a Phase 1 Contract Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with Toyota Motor Corporation ("TMC") for the development of a validated powertrain system, including a battery, power electronics module, motor, gearbox and associated software, which will be integrated into an electric vehicle version of the RAV4. Pursuant to the Agreement, based on preliminary specifications, TMC will pay Tesla approximately $60 million for the development services to be provided by Tesla. The parties will mutually agree to the final specifications, deliverables and payment amounts and schedule within 60 days of the execution of the Agreement. This amount will be paid in various installments during the term of the Agreement.
Previous reports suggest that a production version of the electric RAV4 should be ready to whiz down the streets by 2012, but we should get a first glimpse of a the RAV4 EV prototype at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. Hit the jump the read Tesla's formal filing in its entirety. Hat tip to VFX!


Gallery: 2009 Toyota RAV4


[Source: Securities and Exchange Commission]

Continue reading Officially Official: Tesla inks $60M Toyota deal to supply components for RAV4 EV

Officially Official: Tesla inks $60M Toyota deal to supply components for RAV4 EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rav4rav4 evteslatesla motorstesla toyotatesla toyota dealtesla toyota electric dealtesla toyota evtesla toyota partnershiptoyotaThu, 14 Oct 2010 10:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19673948/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/14/officially-official-tesla-inks-60m-toyota-deal-to-supply-compo/19673948/article-detail.xml 19673948 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/2010-toyota-rav4-base-concrete-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/2010-toyota-rav4-base-concrete-630.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla and Toyota to develop RAV4 EV, hope to launch in 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/tesla-and-toyota-to-develop-rav4-ev-hope-to-launch-in-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/tesla-and-toyota-to-develop-rav4-ev-hope-to-launch-in-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/tesla-and-toyota-to-develop-rav4-ev-hope-to-launch-in-2012/#comments
Toyota RAV4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota and Tesla have officially announced that the electric prototypes being developed by the California startup are based on the RAV4 crossover, and the two companies hope to have a production version ready by 2012. When we sat down with Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda last week, he revealed that an initial prototype was being built with a Tesla electric powertrain. Since then, Tesla CTO JB Straubel revealed that his engineering team was preparing two vehicles based on an existing Toyota platform for delivery by the end of July.

If the project comes to fruition, it will be great news for fans of the original RAV4 EV which debuted in the late 1990s. Several hundred of those vehicles are still on the road today and regularly turn up for sale on eBay Motors at premium prices.

The new RAV4s will use Tesla's liquid cooled lithium ion battery configuration that contains thousands of commodity laptop cells. The first prototype is already running and a larger fleet will be prepared this year for durability testing by Toyota.


Gallery: 2009 Toyota RAV4


[Source: Tesla]

Continue reading Tesla and Toyota to develop RAV4 EV, hope to launch in 2012

Tesla and Toyota to develop RAV4 EV, hope to launch in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>RAV-4RAV4Rav4 EVRav4Evteslatesla motorstesla rav4tesla toyotatesla toyota evtesla toyota partnershipTeslaMotorsTeslaRav4TeslaToyotaTeslaToyotaEvTeslaToyotaPartnershiptoyotaToyota CUVtoyota rav4toyota rav4 evToyotaCuvToyotaRav4ToyotaRav4EvFri, 16 Jul 2010 10:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19557273/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/16/tesla-and-toyota-to-develop-rav4-ev-hope-to-launch-in-2012/19557273/article-detail.xml 19557273 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/2010-toyota-rav4-base-concrete-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/2010-toyota-rav4-base-concrete-630.jpg -1 2