Toyota’s humble RAV4 is best known for its practical cabin and compact dimensions apt for urban conditions; however, this particular example prepped for Rally America can run over rough surfaces with ease.
Recently unveiled in Las Vegas, the rally prepped RAV4 will be seen in action on dirt at some of the stages of the 2015 Rally America. But unlike the regular 4WD RAV4, this rally-spec model is front-wheel drive and competes in the 2WD-Open Class category.
The base vehicle is the 2015 RAV4 LE model with a stock transmission and a stock 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine pushing out 176bhp of power. Toyota, however, has removed well over 200 kilograms of stock weight, while adding a roll cage and all-terrain, 215-section 15 inch tyres . The car also gets upgraded front and rear suspension.
First introduced in 1994, the RAV4 was the first compact crossover, making its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994 and in North America in 1995. Since then, it has gone to become one of Toyota’s bestselling vehicles across the globe.
