The Toyota RAV-X is one of the concept cars that are being shown for the first time at the SEMA show in Las Vegas this week. The RAV-X is built on a plug-in-hybrid RAV4 platform and features a suspension that has been significantly modified, resulting in a ride height that is two inches higher and a track that is 6.3 inches wider. Toyota also Added the concept with distinctive front and rear bumpers, skid plates, and a roof spoiler. Off-road-themed patterns on the Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser would have looked great for the 2024 SEMA show. Toyota is trying new things with yet another thought that is different from the norm. The RAV-X, which is based on the 2024 RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, was inspired by the tough cars that won the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. This week, the RAV-X will be shown for the first time at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The idea came from the Toyota Service Parts and Accessories Development (SPAD) team, which completely redesigned the suspension and body to improve it off-road and give it a racing-inspired look. With the goal of making a “halo” car for the RAV4 family, the SPAD department oversaw the whole process, from sketches to CAD design to 3-D printing of parts. The biggest changes were made to the wheel wells, where Toyota added a long-travel suspension that raised the RAV-X two inches and made the track wider by 6.3 inches compared to the RAV4. Fox’s new 2.5-inch internal-bypass dampers are in both the front and back of the off-road SUV. These dampers let you change the compression at two different speeds. To keep the oil at the right temperature, the dampers also have external reservoirs in the front and piggyback-style tanks in the back. Toyota also made back upper supports and front lower control arms out of forged aluminum. There have been no major changes to the drivetrain, which consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, three electric motors, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Toyota says that the RAV-X had 302 horsepower “before being paired with a ram air intake,” which means that it is a little more powerful than a regular plug-in RAV4. The RAV-X has skid plates in the front and back to protect the engine, and the rocker panels have been raised to give the car more ground clearance. The new front bumper has two red tow hooks, huge cooling fans, and stiff LED lights built-in, making it look like a Dakar racer like the GR DKR Hilux, which won the 2023 rally. The RAV-X also had a spoiler on the back, red mud flaps, bigger bumpers, and more air vents in the hood. A big black piece with a small lip spoiler was put in place of the inside half of the headlights. The RAV-X’s back bumper features a high-clearance twin exhaust. The wheels are 17 inches, and the tires are 265/65R17. The back wheels are black, and the front wheels are red. Overall, the wheels are white. Even though the RAV-X looks good, it won’t be made. A better off-road form of Toyota’s well-known SUV would be nice.
