Still so hot off the press that it’s practically steaming, news of the 2013 Toyota RAV4’s debut last week might have been more than it seemed.
That’s because toil-hard Toyota is skipping any rest period and looking to the future for its popular small crossover. Some might be disappointed to learn that those plans won’t include differently-sized models, but Toyota has something even more interesting up its sleeve — a hybrid drivetrain.
SEE ALSO: 2013 Toyota RAV4 Video, First Look: 2012 LA Auto Show
As a pioneer in that market, Toyota carries credibility in the hybrid world thanks to its Prius line. RAV4 deputy chief engineer Yoshikazu Saeki told AutoExpress that building a hybridized version “would not be difficult to do.”
There aren’t firm plans in place to build such a car just yet, but Saeki said the company is watching the market closely to decide if the move makes sense.
[Source: AutoExpress]