Set for show rooms in the first quarter of 2013, Toyota’s next-generation RAV4 will arrive here in Australia with three new fuel-efficient engines. For the first time Toyota will include a turbo-dieselto the line-up. The new Rav4 will have more engines than ever before with two four-cylinder petrol engines as well as the torquey four-cylinder common-rail diesel. Making the announcement at the Los Angeles International Auto Show last week, Toyota showcased the Rav4 in the global reveal. Taking the wraps off a boldly redesigned vehicle, the new model features a sophisticated, dynamic and strong exterior and a spacious, high-quality interior. When it arrives in Australia early next year, Toyota’s popular mid-size SUV will offer improved dynamic performance, greater refinement, smart packaging, outstanding convenience technologies and even better value for money. In a significant break with Rav4 heritage, the spare tyre will be placed under the cargo floor and the new tailgate is hinged at the roof. Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said the next-generation RAV4 will be even more capable and flexible to meet the needs of recreational and business users. “The exterior design is particularly striking, with a stronger silhouette that expresses RAV4′s inner strength and sporty nature,” Mr Callachor said. “It will attract young singles, couples and families looking for a spacious vehicle that accommodates their needs and can be driven on a wide variety of road conditions. “The performance and economy of the three new engines are integral to the overall RAV4 package that includes advances in agility and handling.” All three engines for the next-generation Rav4 have impressive fuel economy and emissions performance. The new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is a stand-out, with combined-cycle fuel economy dipping below 6.0 litres/100km and CO₂ emissions below 150g/km when mated to a manual transmission. Offering a strong, flat torque curve with more than 200Nm available from just above idle and a peak well in excess of 300Nm the engine is sure to pack a punch. The two petrol four-cylinder engines are almost identical to those in the 133kW 2.5-litre Camry Altise and the 102kW 2.0-litre Corolla Ultima sedan. They incorporate Toyota’s dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) for high performance, good fuel economy, low emissions and smooth, quiet operation. All three engines are mated to six-speed manual transmissions as standard although the 2.2-litre diesel and 2.5-litre petrol engines can be specified with six-speed automatic transmissions while the 2.0-litre engine is available with Toyota’s advanced MultiDrive Sport CVT with seven-speed sequential manual mode. New RAV4 includes other driver-oriented improvements including an advanced all-wheel drive system, a better driving position, improved front and rear vision, and the safety of a more rigid body and seven airbags. Premium features on high-grade variants include a power-operated tailgate, blind-spot monitor, rain-sensing wipers and electro-chromatic rear-view mirror. “These and other attributes of the next-generation model will expand the appeal of a vehicle that has been a hit in Australia with almost 200,000 sales since the first-generation RAV4 was launched in 1994,” Mr Callachor said.  

Toyota has released a special edition seven-seat Kluger with more than $8,000 of added features for just $2,300 extra cost. The special edition Kluger ‘Altitude’ is based on the seven-seat KX-R and is available in two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Features beyond the standard KX-R grade include satellite navigation with 3-D display, tilt-and-slide moonroof and a DVD rear-seat entertainment system with nine-inch screen and wireless headphones. The special edition Kluger Altitude model also gains 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/55R19 tyres, black roof rails, front fog lamps and an Altitude badge. The audio unit has a 6.1-inch LCD touch-screen, single CD player, Bluetooth for hands free communication, audio streaming for compatible smart phone or MP3 device, phonebook and SMS message access, voice recognition, SMS text to voice, SD Card Slot, USB input and iPod control. The satellite navigation unit includes SUNA traffic monitoring service+ and safety camera warning. Prices for Kluger Altitude start from $44,990 for the 2WD model. Kluger Altitude is offered in four exterior colours, all matched with a black fabric interior. Like the KX-R model, Kluger Altitude models have a 3.5-litre dual VVT-i V6 petrol engine and five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. Other features inherited from seven-seat KX-R include Toyota Driver Assist Technology, including vehicle stability control, traction control, Hill-start Assist Control and, on the all-wheel drive model only, Downhill Assist Control. Kluger’s comprehensive safety package also features seven airbags, including full-length side curtain-shield airbags and a driver’s knee airbag. Standard features also include electric power-assisted steering, audio and multi-information display controls on the steering wheel, glass hatch in the tailgate, Optitron instruments and manual air-conditioning. Kluger Altitude has three rows of seats. The split-fold second-row seat has a removable centre seat. KLUGER ALTITUDE PRICES Kluger 2WD Altitude: $44,990 Kluger AWD Altitude: $49,490

The final round of the Australian Rally Championship took place in Victoria over the weekend and it was four-time national rally champions Neal Bates and Coral Taylor who sealed victory in the 2012 Australian Classic Rally Challenge series. The duo finished second at the season-closing Rally Victoria, which earned them sufficient points to clinch victory in both the drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles. The Australian Classic Rally Challenge runs as part of the Australian Rally Championship for pre-1986 rally cars. Bates and Taylor won three rallies during the season in their 1980 Toyota Celica RA40, which was hand-built from a bare shell over 18 months and features an authentic World Rally Championship period livery. Bates said he enjoyed competing in the classic section of the ARC. “Coral and I have loved every minute of it,” he said. “The car was absolutely brilliant all year − it’s so much fun to drive, makes a great noise and is sideways a lot, which is pretty spectacular for everyone watching.” Bates and Taylor won the first heat in Victoria before a minor gearshift issue cost them time during the second stage of heat two. They corrected the problem and re-joined the action to finish behind overall event winners Grant Walker and Craig Thomas. “We’ve had the best time this year,” Taylor said. “The main thing for me has been showing off the car to the crowds, who have loved looking at and watching it all season. “It’s been a real pleasure.” Bates and Taylor will announce their motorsport plans for 2013 in the coming months.    

Bendigo-based Pedders Racing is set to become the first team in the world to enter the new Toyota 86 sports car in a national manufacturers’ championship for circuit racing.   The team’s principal and lead driver Grant Phillips announced last week that Pedders Racing would campaign the rear-drive coupe in the 2013 Australian Manufacturers Championship.   As 2011 and 2012 Class E winners in the production-car championship, Pedders Racing will step up to Class D with the lively and accessible dynamic performance offer by the naturally aspirated 86. Phillips said he had been keen to race the 86 ever since it first broke cover as a concept car at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.   “Right from the start I felt the 86 would be a brilliant car to steer with its free-revving boxer engine, compact design, light weight and low centre of gravity,” Phillips said.   “We expect to run at the front of our class and have a damn good crack at winning straight out of the box.   “We expect the car’s performance and overall balance to be more than competitive, supported by Toyota’s famed reliability and an excellent team that has demonstrated its expertise in championship racing.”   Phillips also said the 86 had already made a name for itself in motorsport by competing successfully in the Nürburgring and BritCar 24-hour races, the Winton Motor Raceway Sprint Series and the Toyota Sprint Series in the U.K.   “We are excited and proud to be the first team in the world to enter the 86 in a circuit-based national manufacturers’ championship series.”   The race car will be built over the summer with its first testing scheduled for February ahead of the series opening round in late March. Major business partners for the 2013 campaign include Michelin, Pedders Suspension, PBR, Bosch Australia, Whiteline Performance Products and J & A Light Freight.   Team co-driver and Bendigo business owner Andrew Turpie (J & A Light Freight) said the partners would help ensure preparation of a high-quality race car that would stay ahead of the pack.   “We can’t wait to be racing on the world’s best performance tyre in a car that is produced by the world’s number one car company,” Turpie said.   Bendigo Toyota general manager Leon Yeates has already test driven the 86 in street guise at Winton Raceway in northern Victoria.   “I am very impressed at how track-friendly the 86 is and I can’t wait to see the finished product ready to debut in the AMC next year.”.   To keep up to date with the Pedders Racing team, head to www.cvmotorsport.net or check them out on Facebook and Twitter.  

A special-edition Camry will be hitting the streets early next year in the form of the Atara R. This special model gains more than $3,000 of safety, performance, comfort and appearance features compared with the Camry Altise on which it is based. Many of the added features were previously exclusive to the more expensive Atara models, including the front sports bumper and grille, sports side skirts and a dual exhaust diffuser, which boosts maximum power by 2kW. Its higher specification also includes 17-inch alloy wheels in lieu of 16-inch (including a full-sized spare wheel), front foglamps and a special-edition badge. Inside, Atara R has the added features of premium three-spoke steering wheel (with audio controls), 6.1-inch screen display audio and reversing camera with fixed guidelines^{^}. Camry Atara R special edition is offered in a choice of exterior colours: Diamond White, Silver Pearl, Graphite, Eclipse Black, Wildfire, Magnetic Bronze, and Reflex Blue. Approximately 2500 of the Camry Atara R will be produced at Toyota’s Altona plant, through to the end of December. Camry Atara R special edition is priced at $31,820. In addition to its special-edition features, Atara R is well specified with seven airbags (including driver’s knee airbag), vehicle stability control and traction control, trip computer and eco indicator, and six-speaker audio including auxiliary and USBinput with iPod connectivity.