Electrification is usually a done as an eco-conscious move, but Toyota seems to have a different idea for Indonesia. The all-new Toyota RAV4 GR Sport was just unveiled for the Archipelago at this year’s Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), and like the Alphard that was launched alongside it, it also gets a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain underneath its bonnet, with more power to match its sporty exterior.
Inheriting the powertrain of the RAV4 Prime, the PHEV powertrain in the GR Sport variant is made up of the Dynamic Force 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four engine and a pair of electric motors, for a total system output of 306 hp, and theoretically up to 1,300 Nm of torque to the rear wheels thanks to its unique power routing.
With an E-Four all-wheel drive system thanks to the motor on the rear axle, the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport should sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in under 6 seconds. And when you’re done fooling about, the 18.1 kWh battery pack also means you’ll be able to travel up to 75 km on just electricity alone. An on-board 6.6 kW AC charger refills it in 2.5 hours.
READ MORE: We still can’t believe that Toyota is actually making the 302 hp RAV4 Prime
Not only do the batteries help the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport achieve a fuel consumption figure of 2.6 l/100 km, they also help lower the SUV’s centre of gravity, translating to better handling characteristics befitting its racing-inspired moniker.
To further home in on performance, the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport in Indonesia also gets a set of GR-tuned suspension, and a set of lighter 19-inch wheels for even better driveability.
Being a GR Sport model, the souped-up RAV4 also comes with a bunch of distinctive design touches to differentiate it as the sportier model, including a unique mesh insert for the front grille, variant-specific bumpers, twin exhaust outlets at the back, and of course, the myriad of GR badges all around.
The latter is pretty much the only difference on the inside, but you still get quite an extensive list of standard equipment, including the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, dual-zone climate control, the T Intouch telematics system, as well as the Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced driver assistance features.
All of that will come at a cost, unfortunately. At IDR1.15 billion (approx RM346k), the SUV is now the third most expensive electrified model in the brand’s local electrified line-up, coming in more than double the price of the Innova Zenix hybrid, or just IDR 200 million (approx. RM60k) under the all-new Alphard.
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