World Debut of RAV4 - Top Marketing Executive Reveals the Origins of the Featured Car Variant
In a groundbreaking move, Toyota has unveiled its sixth-generation RAV4, marking a significant leap in the automotive industry. The new model, revealed at the world premiere in Tokyo on May 21, comes in three grades: CORE, ADVENTURE, and GR SPORT.
The RAV4's introduction in 1989 at the Tokyo Motor Show was a turning point, signifying a shift in automobile design and introducing the concept of crossover SUVs. The unique and quirky design of the RAV4 offered a new choice to everyday car buyers, expanding the range of vehicle choices available.
Toyota is now shifting its development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) into full gear with the new RAV4. The model is the first to use Toyota's software development platform, Arene, which is a modern, comprehensive software architecture designed to support the creation, deployment, and continuous improvement of software-defined vehicles.
Arene significantly contributes to the sixth-generation RAV4 by enabling advanced, integrated safety technologies. The next-generation Toyota T-Mate safety system, powered by Arene, offers features such as Front Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, an enhanced Lane Change Assist for safer motorway driving, and an upgraded Pre-Collision System that better detects head-on collisions and recognizes obstacles including bicycles and motorbikes.
The platform also supports a faster, more connected multimedia experience with a 12.9-inch screen and an advanced voice assistant that controls navigation, media, climate, and vehicle functions. This integration is facilitated through Arene's software-defined vehicle framework.
Furthermore, the sixth-generation RAV4 is the first Toyota model equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 (TSS 4.0), which leverages Arene for its most advanced suite of driver-assist and collision-avoidance features to date. Arene's software-defined vehicle architecture allows for over-the-air (OTA) updates, ensuring the RAV4 stays current with the latest safety technology and performance improvements without requiring physical service visits.
Simon Humphries, the Chief Branding Officer, shared the story behind the development of the RAV4, highlighting its role in introducing the concept of crossover SUVs and offering a new option for everyday car buyers. The RAV4's design in 1989 was a departure from the bubble and muscle cars that dominated the first 80 years of the 20th Century, signifying a new era in automobile design.
The new RAV4 offers customers the joy of mobility with a greater level of safety and peace of mind. With its advanced safety features, sophisticated digital cockpit, and enhanced connectivity, the sixth-generation RAV4 is a testament to Toyota's commitment to innovation and safety. This combination of software innovation and safety-first design marks a significant step toward Toyota’s vision of software-defined vehicles and a future with zero accidents.
Sources: [1] Arene: Toyota's Software Development Platform for Software-Defined Vehicles. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://wovenbytoyota.com/arene/ [2] Toyota RAV4: Next-Generation Technology and Safety Features. (2023, May 21). Retrieved from https://toyota.co.uk/news/toyota-rav4-next-generation-technology-and-safety-features/ [3] Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 (TSS 4.0): Advanced Driver-Assist and Collision-Avoidance Features. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/30938993.html [4] Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: Ensuring Your Toyota Stays Current. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/30938889.html [5] Toyota's Vision for a Future with Zero Accidents. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://global.toyota/en/vision/2050/zero-accident-society/
The sixth-generation RAV4, with its introduction of Toyota's software development platform, Arene, is not only a leap in automotive technology but also a step towards Toyota's vision of software-defined vehicles. This software innovation in the RAV4, combined with advanced safety features, promises a lifestyle of greater safety and peace of mind for its drivers.
