| Text and Photos
by Ulysses Ang & Jason Ang |
http://motioncars.com/ |
| It takes no genius to figure out that the Toyota
name is synonymous with dullness. Take the Toyota Camry for example,
despite being a generally refined and great-to-own car, the Camry has failed
to sell well outside the US, which is its primary market. Give or take a few
years, Toyota would be lost in the minds of the increasing picky automobile
buyers.
Well, Toyota need not worry. For the rest of the world, the Toyota Revolution is blowing at full steam: the Celica, MR2 and Echo have paved a new way for people to see the brand name. In the Philippines, with the relaxation of the importation tariffs on CBUs or Completely Built-Up Units, Toyota has brought in three of its new line of vehicles straight from Japan: the Echo, Echo Verso and RAV4. Of course, some people haven't seen these three new, fantastic vehicles yet. What's more, these vehicles, particularly the RAV4 have been selling like pancakes that there are usually none left in the showrooms. Don't fret. We, at motioncars.com have visited Toyota Cars Shaw and Toyota Otis to bring you our design and technical analysis of these three fantastic new cars. |
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| Powered by the next-generation of Toyota's engines' the RAV4 has 148 bhp thanks to the 2.0 VVTi engine. Though it's still not yet as powerful as the CRV, thanks to the VVTi it has a higher torque rating at a lower rpm. This translates to better pulling power from the RAV4. | Four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brakes and electronic brake distribution are bog standard with the RAV4. If that's not enough, how about if Toyota puts in a thick set of 235 / 60 R 16 tires to go with it. Just the tires alone put the competition in the dust (or gravel). |