Through ice and snow, Toyota continues to go places. Long, harsh winters
can be a bit more bearable when drivers of family haulers ride into
spring with the added capability and peace of mind that an
all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle provides.
2015 Toyota Sienna AWD (Photo: Business Wire)
Recently, the Toyota Sienna and RAV4, both with available AWD, along
with some leading competitors in their respective segments, completed
certified testing in snow and ice conditions by notable third-party
organization AMCI. The certified tests revealed the Sienna minivan and
RAV4 compact SUV performed significantly better in the areas of
acceleration, traction, and handling on snowy and icy road conditions
when equipped with AWD. In fact, the certified testing results showed
the Sienna AWD performed substantially better than other
front-wheel-drive competitors in its segment and equal cornering
performance on both ice and snow as a competing popular mid-size SUV
equipped with four-wheel-drive!
Similarly, the RAV4 equipped with AWD was AMCI Testing certified to
deliver better active-safety acceleration, handling and cornering
performance on snow than its competitors in the testing. Specific
certified testing in which a Sienna XLE AWD and RAV4 XLE AWD each
outperformed its competition by large margins included:
-
0-50 mph on snow
-
Shorter stops on ice from 30 mph
-
Cornering performance on ice (Sienna only) and snow (Sienna and RAV4)
-
Evasive-action performance on snow (RAV4 only)
Toyota’s AWD technology helps provide additional on-road capability. The
Sienna AWD system employs a transfer case to smoothly deliver power to
an electromagnetic coupler on the rear differential that divides engine
power up to 50/50 front and rear. Wheel slippage at either set of wheels
automatically transfers more power to the opposite wheels to help keep
the Sienna moving forward. This type of system not only handles wet and
slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.) with confidence, but is fully up
to light-duty off-highway conditions. Driver intervention is minimized,
as the AWD system continuously monitors the torque transfer between the
front and rear wheels. Front to rear torque distribution can vary from
100:0 to 50:50, with front-wheel drive (100:0) automatically engaged
under normal driving conditions to help improve fuel consumption.
The RAV4 compact SUV offers a sophisticated Dynamic Torque Control
All-Wheel Drive system. By coordinating through a high-speed interactive
management system with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and electric
power steering systems, Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive helps
enhance performance, handling and safety.
This advanced AWD system continuously monitors and controls the torque
transfer between the front and rear wheels via an electromagnetically
controlled coupling positioned in the rear differential. Dynamic Torque
Control uses input from various sensors (vehicle speed, steering speed
and angle, throttle angle and yaw rate) to actively govern torque
distribution to the rear wheels, as needed.
Front to rear torque distribution can vary from 100:0 to 50:50, with
front-wheel drive automatically engaged under normal driving conditions
to help reduce fuel consumption. The system automatically shifts to AWD
when accelerating to help prevent front wheel slippage, or when sensors
detect wheel slippage.
When Sport mode is selected, torque transfer to the rear wheels starts
from the moment the steering wheel is turned, to reduce the load on the
front tires. If understeer develops, torque transfer to the rear wheels
is automatically increased by up to 50 percent, further reducing front
tire loading to provide enhanced lateral grip.
When tackling off-pavement driving or very slippery conditions, pushing
an AWD Lock button fixes torque distribution at 50:50 at speeds up to
about 25 mph to maximize grip. Above that, the system reverts to Auto
mode.
Sienna’s AWD system is available on seven-passenger LE, XLE, Limited and
XLE and Limited Premium models. The RAV4 AWD system is available on LE,
XLE and Limited models.
To help prepare your Sienna and RAV4 for the harsh winter elements, a
Toyota Outdoor Package is offered. Available with all 2015 Sienna AWD
models and select RAV4 XLE and Limited models in both FWD and AWD, the
package consists of roof rack cross bars, all-weather floor mats and mud
guards. The Sienna package also includes door sill protectors while the
RAV4 package adds a rear bumper skid plate garnish.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos and video to accompany this story are available
and can be retrieved in digital form by media without charge at http://www.toyotanewsroom.com.
Video of the Sienna and RAV4 AWD certified testing by AMCI can be viewed
on the Toyota YouTube site at: http://toyota.us/Sienna_OnIce
and http://toyota.us/RAV4_OnIce.
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