Toyota Reveals RAV4 to be built at New Woodstock Plant After carrying on with minor revisions for about five years, the Toyota RAV4 has been completely retooled for the 2006 model year. The number one
| |
| After carrying on with minor revisions for about five years, the Toyota RAV4 has been completely retooled for the 2006 model year. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
Japanese brand released a couple of snapshots of the upcoming RAV4 SUV yesterday, and announced that it will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in a couple of weeks. Aside from its fresh new look, Toyota has hoarded any details regarding its mechanicals and features until the Frankfurt event, and pricing will be available closer to its availability. So, about all that's left to talk about is how it looks... Nyeh (sorry, that's the best I could do for the phonetic spelling of a disinterested grunt)... Toyota seems to be heading for a more streamlined, less clunky appearance, but in so doing the new compact SUV looks decidedly
| |
| Toyota seems to be heading for a more streamlined, less clunky appearance, but in so doing the new compact SUV looks decidedly less chiseled and rugged than the current model (shown). (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
less chiseled and rugged. Gone are the tacked-on wheel arches in favour of bulging fenders that appear sheared off by a giant band saw, to go along with sculpted door sills instead of funky mid-door mouldings.The way the bulging, curved shoulders meet the rear D-pillar as they approach the taillights slightly resembles to the latest Subaru crossover, one of the more appealing aspects of the B9 Tribeca. Thankfully, Toyota hasn't attempted anything like Subaru's drastic nose job to dissuade customers from returning to Toyota showrooms. Though it shares the latest two-bar grille and big bold stylized "T" logo, it forgoes the all-attitude big chrome surrounds of the latest Toyota pickups in favour of the more civilized flush-with-the-hood look of the Highlander, and its very own flush mounted bumper for a curvy modern look.