Toyota runs for cover after the Rav 4 Plug-in Hybrid has failed to pass the 'moose test' emergency maneuver to which it was subjected by the trade magazine Teknikens Värld.
In the test, which consists of a sudden deviation followed by an equally rapid straightening of the car, the SUV of the Japanese giant already showed serious stability problems at 63 km / h (against the expected 72 km / h) attributable to the VSC anti-skid system.
After the test results of Teknikens Värld - the Japanese giant informs the magazine - we performed further tests to replicate the moose test, and we found results similar to those reported.
We will implement - assures Toyota - measures to ensure that the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid passes the test proposed by Teknikens Värld and we will guarantee a free update of the VSC system to all customers as of January 2021, in addition to implementing it in all cars destined for the European market .
At the same time, we will also recommend increasing the pressure of the rear tires when the car is fully loaded.
The magazine asked Toyota why the VSC system, updated on the RAV4 Hybrid already last August, was not equally adequate in the plug-in version of the SUV.
To this, Toyota replied that "during the development process, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid passed all tests" and that "the model complies with all safety regulations prevailing in markets around the world. continued - it also complies with Toyota's internal standards, which exceed the legal requirements in a large number of tests. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid - the Japanese group still claims - is equipped with the most advanced version of the Toyota Safety System, which includes a wide range of safety features, including active crash protection systems, lane departure warning and stability control (VSC) ".
