Prototype Tesla-powered RAV4 driven, demonstrates extreme brake regen

What happens when you put the powertrain from a Tesla Roadster into an SUV? You get the Toyota RAV4 EV , an early prototype of which PluginCars got a chance to drive. It referred to a “sophisticated proof of concept,” basically a drivable show car, and the performance is reasonably stout: 0 – 60MPH in nine seconds — not bad for a 3,900lb car. Range is estimated to be 100 miles in real-world conditions, but that’s liable to change between now and when the car is expected to hit dealers, sometime toward the end of 2012. We’re guessing the Roadster-style pushbutton gear selector will be gone by then, too. Prototype Tesla-powered RAV4 driven, demonstrates extreme brake regen originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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