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Toyota Applies New 2.5L Dual VVT-i Engine in 2009 RAV4
13 August 2008
Toyota is applying a new 2.5-liter Dual VVT-i gasoline engine in its refreshed MY 2009 RAV4. The new engine is both more powerful and more fuel-efficient than the 2.4-liter engine it replaces.
The four-cylinder engine is a low-friction design optimized for performance and fuel efficiency. It produces 179 hp (133 kW) at 6,000 rpm, along with 172 lb-ft (233 Nm) of torque at 4,000 rpm (versus 166 hp and 165 lb-ft of peak torque of the previous 2.4-liter engine). The 2.5-liter engine employs Dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), which controls timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts (compared to the intake-only previous 2.4-liter engine).
The redesigned four-cylinder engine is partnered with a new four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission that is more compact, lightweight and efficient than the previous four-speed transmission. Fuel efficiency is improved over the 2008 model with EPA mpg estimates of 22 city/28 highway on 4x2 models and 21 city/27 highway on 4x4 models. The corresponding 2008 models were rated at 21 city/27 highway and 20 city/25 highway, respectively.
The top-end 3.5-liter V-6 option generates 269 hp (201 kW) at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb-ft (334 Nm) of peak torque at 4,700 rpm. The V6 is also equipped with dual independent VVT-i to maximize performance and efficiency while reducing emissions. Equipped exclusively with a five-speed automatic transmission, the V-6 RAV4 has estimated EPA fuel economy mpg ratings of 19 city/27 highway for 4x2 models and 19 city/26 highway for 4x4 models. All RAV4 models meet Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV II) certification.
August 13, 2008 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
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Comments
When is Toyota going to put the HSD in the RAV4?
Seems that they'd be able be able to match the Ford Escape Hybrid's efficiency at a minimum.
Efficiency would exceed the 4cyl Camry.
Posted by: Dave | Aug 13, 2008 11:06:15 AM
Progress is where you find it.
I am glad to see Toyota trying to catch up to GM, Ford and even Chrysler in advanced ICE engine design. They all have, and have had engines for sale with these technologies for several years. So does Huyndai and Mitsubishi, and probably others, too. What makes this worthy of special news treatment?
Posted by: stas peterson | Aug 13, 2008 5:07:02 PM
Easy stas. Don’t forget they cover the round air engine, the long spread copied from a BMW press release, maybe the “run your engine on water” (if so, I missed it) etc. GM also gets plenty of coverage.
But you you have a good point? What does make this worthy of special news treatment?
It seems like these guys might get some donations from the sources, but who cares, it’s informative and amusing and infuriating.
It doesn’t get much better (I lead a sheltered life).
Posted by: ToppaTom | Aug 13, 2008 11:36:11 PM
Stan, I have to disagree with you. The Japanese implemented variable cam/valve timing before GM released the technology especially in four cylinder engines. GM's Quad 4 used through 2001 had no variable anything whereas Honda's VTEC has been used in four cylinder engines since 1989 in Japan and 1992 here in the US. Toyota has used VVT in four cylinder engines since 1991 in Japan. Mitsubishi 1992, Nissan 1993 etc. Whichever the technology used, fuel mileage and pollution scores for similar models have generally leaned in favor of the Japanese i.e. Corolla vs Cobalt
Posted by: DRD T-bone | Aug 14, 2008 9:07:03 AM
Also Mitsubishi had a "functional" and non intrusive modular displacement engine in the mid 90's (circa 1996 I believe) with the MIVEC-MD which would use Mitsubishi's variable valve timing & lift to shut off two engine cylinders.
Of course in Japan nearly all variable valve timing & lift efforts were concentrated largely on improving performance and not fuel efficiency (save for the MIVEC-MD). The Nissan efforts produced 200hp 2.0L 4-cyl engines in the early to mid 90s just as Honda did (and Mitsubishi had several MIVEC V-6 engines of 2.5 to 3.5L displacement all close to 276hp).
I may be mistaken but I believe Toyota was the last Japanese manufacturer to use variable valve timing & lift in their vehicles in Japan. When Nissan, Honda & Mitsubishi were using variable valve timing and lift Toyota was using a high revving 20valve 4-cylinder 2.0L motor for similar high rpm performance (but a lack of bottom end pickup).
Posted by: | Aug 14, 2008 10:03:56 AM
Personally I don't care if Toyota is the first or the last to implement a certain engine technology. When they put it into a vehicle that didn't have it before, well, for me that's news. Same for GM, Ford, Honda, etc. Thanks for covering it GCC.
Posted by: JamesEE | Aug 14, 2008 4:01:58 PM
