Looks like Toyota is putting a lot of attention in the realms of rallying as aside from their Yaris scheduled to enter the WRC in 2017, they had also recently revealed another dirt-kicker machine to represent the brand. The RAV4 rally car will be giving its opponents a hard time as it was unveiled at the Monster Energy Supercross Championship finale at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
If you think that the decision of using a RAV4 to go head-to-head against Rally America’s modified street cars is odd, then you are not alone as Toyota admits the same as well. Of course, the RAV4 used in the competition will be far from stock form. Based on the 2015 RAV4 LE, it comes with stock transmission and a stock 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, double-overhead cam engine that pushes out 176-horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque.
But the RAV4 would not have to worry about excess weight as it is 227kg lighter than the stock car, even with the presence of a roll cage. Other modifications thrown in include a set of BFGoodrich all-terrain DOT 215/75R15 tires and a front and rear TEIN suspension setup. Driving the pumped-up RAV4 will be Ryan Millen who once won the 2014 Baja 1000 in a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.
“I’ve driven just about everything Toyota has to offer. And I’ve been very impressed with the RAV4’s tight, compact body and smooth handling. I’m looking forward to putting it through the paces this season,” said Millen.
