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52 August 2014 www.4x4i.com
4X4 ANNIVERSARY
20 years of RAV4
it: the RAV4 Club model was clearly
enjoying itself as it semi drifted around
the hairpin bends and bombed along
the straights, kicking up dust and
sending stones hurtling into the trees.
This is not a normal activity for what
is, in essence, a family-sized SUV built
mainly for on-road comfort, albeit with
adequate off-road ability to tackle
incongruous terrain at a more sedate
pace. We wouldnt expect to nd
regular RAV4 owners behaving quite
like this, but we were taking part in a
special event to mark the Recreational
Active Vehicle 4s 20th birthday. Its hard
W
e had only hit 60kph, but
in a Toyota RAV4, on
winding gravel tracks
high up in the Greek
mountains, it felt like we were haring
along considerably faster. Thrashing
compact SUVs, on what had been a
World Rally Championship stage a
couple of months previously, could be
deemed inherently wrong. In Sport
mode, however, with the assistance of
the Dynamic Torque Control all-wheel-
drive system, the whole experience
didnt conjure up any feelings of
outrageous inappropriateness. Far from
to believe the 4x4 that broke the mould
and spawned a host of what we now
term compact SUVs has been around
for 20 years. Its quite a milestone and,
therefore, tting that Toyota wanted to
mark the occasion in some way. And
what better than to organise a driving
adventure in the Greek mountains over
a few days, taking in some spectacular
scenery (not to mention some local
driving habits that left us wide-eyed in
amazement and giggling with
incredulity...)?
Arriving at Athens airport, located
almost at the southeast corner of the
www.4x4i.com August 2014 53
Main: Vroom with a
view - the nal leg of
an incredible journey
in the Ziria mountains
overlooking the Gulf
of Corinth
Twenty years have passed since the modern compact SUV was
born, courtesy of the Toyota RAV4. That is some milestone, so in
tting tribute to the granddaddy of 4x4 SUVs, we joined Toyota
for the birthday bash in the Greek mountains, which happened to
include a couple of classic WRC Rally Stages
Words: Hils Everitt Photography: Hils Everitt, Toyota
A GREEK
ODYSSEY
54 August 2014 www.4x4i.com
Greek mainland, we were given the
keys to a small eet of three RAV4s for
the UK contingent. They were French,
Belgium and Italian registered diesel
models, two Club and one 20th
Anniversary Special Edition sadly
neither are available in the UK. The
most noticeable feature of 4x4
Magazines French-registered Club
was a rather smart, tan leather trim to
the dashboard and other bits of animal
hide dotted about. The satnav was
programmed to get us from the airport
to Keratea, to the south. We cruised
along the 89 route until we hit the rst
of our off-road forays into the hills,
where the road book kicked in to lead
us to Akroyiali.
Our gravel track adventure started
with a moderate climb. Like most of the
gravel tracks we encountered, this
was littered with sharp stones of varying
sizes, which had the potential to cause
havoc with the 18in Bridgestone Duller
rubber wear, so care was needed
throughout. The sun was shining in the
brilliant blue sky, although a pretty
vicious swirling wind was whipping up
into a frenzy as we gained height. Our
French, manual automobile rarely
managed to get into third gear, but who
cared? We were sauntering along an
easy route, savouring the beautiful
views offered by the Sounion National
Park while avoiding the larger sharp
stones and small rocks on the rm
dusty track. It was plain sailing, apart
from a section of steeper descent that
included an awkward step that needed
some spotting to make sure the
low-slung RAV4 didnt scrape its belly
or bodywork on the unfriendly rocks.
Our ultimate aim on the second leg of
the days journey was a fodder stop at a
small, but perfectly formed, old sh
restaurant that sat right on the beach at
Akroyiali. Trouble was, the wind was so
ferocious that the waves were riding
very high; a surfers paradise, but
encroaching well onto the beach. The
water was lapping at the restaurants
foundations.
In the distance on the headland we
could see the Temple of Poseidon, a
44BC ruin dedicated to the Greek god
of the sea very appropriate and well
positioned on its rocky outcrop on
Cape Sounion. We leapt back in the
RAVs nding it quite tricky, thanks to
the wind, to keep the doors open to
jump in and drove on tarmac to the
temple car park. A short walk led to the
temple, high above the crashing waves
below. It seemed Poseidon was having
a bit of a thrash about, and making his
presence well and truly felt.
Our drive back to the overnight stop
was on tarmac, along the twisting west
coast road overlooking the deep blue
Aegean Sea. That continued for some
time, until our polite satnav lady
informed us that we should prepare to
turn off right and head inland towards
the ancient city of Athens. And this was
where the fun started.
Here in the UK we have pretty strict
rules about what you can and cant do
in or on a vehicle while on public roads.
It seems the Greeks have no such
boring or restrictive practices. Hearts in
mouths, we nally came into the centre
of Athens to be confronted by
motorcyclists happily chatting away on
their mobiles, stuck to their ears, with
no helmets, weaving about in front of
us. We even saw people with children
on the back of the bikes with no
helmets on either. Unbelievable, and
fairly disconcerting to drive behind! We
were also surprised to nd how easily it
was to get onto roundabouts until we
realised that it seemed the rule was to
give way to those coming on, which in
4X4 ANNIVERSARY
20 years of RAV4
Above: Greek
off-roading was
mostly gravel tracks,
but beware those
sharp stones littered
everywhere
Below: It wasn't just
abandoned, rusty old
trucks encountered
on the mountain
passes
www.4x4i.com August 2014 55
itself caused some congestion chaos
on the roundabout.
We made it, nally, to the central
Athens hotel in one piece and rather in
need of some refreshment to calm the
nerves. A local restaurant provided
dinner underneath the oodlight
Parthenon temple sitting on the
Athenian Acropolis, a hill overlooking
Athens, and it was stunning. Dedicated
to the Greek goddess Athena (she is
the patroness of Athens) it was
designed by the famous sculptor
Phidias, who was commissioned by
Pericles, a Greek politician who, it is
said, founded Athens itself. Built from
447-438BC it is, of course, far from
intact, but retains an unearthly presence
up there on its perch. Our route back to
the hotel took in some stunning ancient
buildings mixed with terrible decay and
grubbiness that reminded us of
Greeces dire economic situation. We
hardly saw a new car; in fact,
everywhere we went, over the duration
of the trip, it was amazing to see so
many vehicles obviously well over 20
years old, battered and bruised, but still
on four wheels.
Those vehicles included dozens of
rusty of old pick-ups, parked outside
tired homes or just abandoned in the
bushes at the side of the road during
day two, our long day in the mountains.
A lengthy drive west from Athens, along
the E94, led us to Kamareta in the
Peloponnese. This is a beautiful
mountainous region that includes
famous archaeological sites, such as
ancient Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenas
and Byzantine churches. But we
werent here to revel in the history of the
region, we were here to drive up into
the mountains and enjoy the
breathtaking scenery. We were headed
for the Semeli Winery for lunch, but
before that we needed to negotiate just
shy of 80km on off-road tracks, and
these would include our rst taste of
driving the WRC Stage from Klenia to
Mycenae, that formed part of the Rally
Acropolis.
We were led by the Toyota French
team up into the mountains, with a
superb 20-year-old Land Cruiser on
large tyres and tted with a snorkel
bringing up the rear to mine sweep and
cope with any problems that our RAV4s
might encounter; unlikely, but just in
case.
As it happens, one of our UK team
did require some assistance as literally
only about a third of a mile from the
coffee stop at a sweet little church
about seven miles from Aginorio, their
RAV suffered a puncture on the front
nearside Bridgestone Dueller. The track
had been littered with loose rocks of all
shapes and sizes. Many of them lined
the track and so it was probably
inevitable that somebody would get
caught out. We waited for the support
behind to join us and the Toyota team
jacked up the RAV and swapped the
tyre in a few minutes, while we soaked
up the sunshine and admired the
incredible view of the valley below and
soaring mountains in the distance.
Until then, the 26km journey had
been straightforward, at times picking
up speed as the track attened out and
at others crawling round steep hairpins
that occasionally required two
manoeuvres to negotiate: couldnt help
thinking the original three-door RAV
would have taken those without a
second thought.
After our refresher stop it was time to
drive some tarmac for a few miles and
then we hit the start of the WRC Stage.
My driving companion was Richard
Seymour, Toyotas technical and
product PR man. He owns a beloved
20-year-old Hilux; and Toyotas own
modded Hilux that he built featured in
this very magazine back in the
September 1996 issue cover story, no
less. Despite our love of Hiluxes and
trundling along off-road, we were
exhilarated by the rally drive that
covered 18km of fast, gravel, twisting
tracks. The professionals had driven it
in late March and the deep grooves that
the rally cars create as they drift around
the bends were very evident. We strived
to avoid them; and, although we
couldnt quite emulate the expert
drifting of the pros in our SUVs, we had
a lot of fun trying.
It was over all too soon, and we
arrived at the Mycenae archaeological
site in a cloud of dust; the RAV now an
impressive shade of dust-effect grey.
We followed tarmac, passing signs to
Korinthos, Tripoli and Nemea before
hitting the vineyards. Turning off
towards the winery, we drove on gravel
tracks again, criss-crossing the green,
lush vineyards and enjoying the Greek
sunshine. We were passing what felt
like deserted hamlets with lovely little
chapels and churches everywhere and
wildly barking dogs on the loose,
running into the track ahead. They
always darted safely away, but it was
unnerving, as we couldnt see them
most of the time.
Our post lunch adventure was very
different. The landscape became more
rugged and remote as our convoy
sauntered up the mountain on a far
trickier track that required more care
and attention no obstacles as such
but plenty of large rocks and a steep
track punctuated by some very sharp
hairpins. We were in the Ziria Mountains
and, as we climbed, the temperature
dropped heavily and the sunshine was
blocked out by overcast skies. Our
RAVs ticked off the miles with no tyre
problems, despite the rather more
treacherous nature of the terrain
beneath. We eventually reached the top
to come across a couple of areas
marked technical in the road book.
The instructions suggested a short cut
to avoid some very deep and boggy
Top: Poseidon Temple
with a commanding
spot on the blustery
headland at Akroyiali
Above: After three
arid days the
water splash nally
appeared; on ooded
tarmac by the beach!
Left: Admiring
stunning views while
constantly mindful
of vicious rocks and
sharp stones
56 August 2014 www.4x4i.com
4X4 ANNIVERSARY
20 years of RAV4
The pioneering rst generation Toyota RAV4; still
looking good... Small, fun, SUVs are rare today
A ne display of four generations of Toyota RAV4s, high up in the Greek mountains. Total sales have busted ve
million units in 20 years - which is certainly impressive. The model has evolved signicantly over that timeline
TOYOTAS 20 YEARS OF THE RAV4
In 1994 Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna
was tragically killed at Imola during the San
Marino Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher
won his rst F1 Championship, Nelson
Mandela was inaugurated as South Africas
rst black president and the Cold War is
nally over as the last Russian troops leave
Germany. Quite a momentous year, then,
and yet there was another notable landmark
as the Toyota RAV4 (Recreational Active
Vehicle with permanent four-wheel drive)
began a new era for the 4x4 market. The
Geneva Motor Show was the launch pad for
the rst ever Urban 4WD; a compact
three-door with permanent 4WD, a centre
diff option for those wanting to have fun off
tarmac, a small 2.0-litre 129bhp petrol
engine, mounted transversally with a
monocoque bodyshell and all-round
independent suspension, as opposed to
traditional separate body and chassis and
solid axles. It was a revolution and very
nearly didnt get built.
In 1989 the Tokyo Motor Show featured
the RAV-FOUR concept, but with no real
detail and just a design idea. But it was very
well received and got the green light in
1991. At the time, however, Chief engineer
Masakatsu Nonaka struggled to convince
other Toyota design departments that it
would be possible to create a mass
production car that would be sold in a
segment that didnt actually exist. The
Sports Utility Vehicle was still unknown and
many didnt believe a compact 4x4 was
viable. The cars development did actually
stall due to internal resistance, and the
whole project was looking doomed until the
Japanese and European Sales Division
came to the rescue stating that the time
was right for this vehicle. There was a gap
between traditional off-roaders and
conventional saloon cars to be bridged. It
took components from the Corolla, Camry,
Carina and Celica GT-Four.
And so a whole new genre of 4x4 was
born and now we have 19 different models in
the compact SUV segment. Initial production
estimates were 4500 a month, but 8000 orders
were received in the rst month. Toyota sold
53,000 units of its permanent 4WD in its rst
year; it was a real winner and a trendsetter.
Sales doubled in the next year when the ve
door was launched and tripled in 1996 with
front-wheel drive versions. A three-door soft top
followed (Cabrio in 98) and the rst RAV4 EV,
electrically powered (to comply with Californias
need for zero emissions vehicles) was produced
from 1997 10 2000. A facelift came in 98 with
more equipment, improved safety, more engine
power and a fresher face with crystal style
headlights.
After six years, the model required updating
and its radical design tempered into something
more akin to the modern trend of smoother
and curvier lines as rivals such as Suzuki
Grand Vitara, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester
and Land Rover Freelander had emerged onto
the scene. In 2000 the new-look RAV4
emerged in three and ve-door, with both
models 5.5cm and 4cm longer than the rst
generation. Two engines were now available, a
1.8-litre 123bhp and a 2.0-litre 150bhp.
Full-time 4WD was still featured but now with a
centre differential Limited Slip diff viscous
coupling and the Torsen rear diff was offered as
a factory option. This generation also saw the
rst diesel introduced, the 2.0D-4D 116bhp.
Another six years on and in 2006 the third
generation was introduced with a new
platform. The three door was dropped,
meeting the needs of the ballooning family
SUV market. The USA and Russia were also
given a longer wheelbase version, but the
standard ve-door for us here in Europe and
the Far East was already 19cm longer than the
previous model and stamped the RAVs new
look. Its engine line-up was also extended to
include 2.0, 2.4, 2.5 and 3.0-litre V6 petrol
engines plus a 2.2-litre diesel. This model also
dispensed with permanent 4WD and featured
a new system with electronically controlled
coupling that was based on speed, throttle
information, steering angle, longitudinal
acceleration or g-force. The era of hi-tech
4WD systems was in full swing by now and
it also offered Downhill-Assist Control and
Hill-start Assist Control plus an AWD Lock.
It also, radically, lost the rear-mounted spare
wheel. Subtle revisions to grille and rear end
came in 2008 and 11 to keep it fresh before
the next model appeared.
Last year heralded the fourth generation
with only one wheelbase for all countries.
The model-up included two petrol engines,
2.0 and 2.5-lite and two diesels 2.0 and
2.2-litre and a new four-wheel drive system
was introduced. Dynamic Torque Control
AWD offered two new functions with
cornering control and sport mode, plus
Downhill-Assist Control and Hill-start Assist
Control were also available. More cabin
room, increased load carrying, fewer
emissions and retuned front and rear
suspension were also on the improvements
list. The overall look of the RAV4 has
morphed into a butcher, more muscular car
yet with a very angular and aggressive
front-end stance with the rising door line
towards the rear end, which is the modern
trend. From the quirky and fun walking boot
look of 94, it now resembles competitors in
the bursting SUV market.
The rst generation was a cracking little
off-roader and on-road cruiser, which we
loved, but now the off-road credentials have
been lowered to suit the market. Its a
family-sized SUV that has sold 5.2 million,
1.3 million in Europe. Toyota reckons more
than 90 per cent are still on the road today
which is impressive. The compact SUV
segment is one of the few still growing in
Europe with sales increasing by about 36
per cent between 2008 and 2013. Thats
some accolade, and its all thanks to that
pioneering, wacky-looking, highly capable
and fun little 4x4 that took everyone by
surprise 20 years ago. HE
www.4x4i.com August 2014 57
ruts; it was tempting to have a go, but
we thought better of it as it did look
extremely gloopy and our ground
clearance and rubber wear didnt
really augur well for a clean and
trouble-free passage.
At the very top, the landscape
attened out into what resembled,
essentially, a wide valley oor. We were
amazed to nd some cattle quietly
grazing there. They were unmoved by
our presence as we continued on the
now easy, at track before beginning
our descent. That continued with the
use of some braking (no low range to
take advantage of) until, after about
17km, we reached the second of our
WRC Stages. This one was Goura to
Ziria and, once again, was a mix of fast,
wide gravel tracks with narrow tight
corners, avoiding the deep trenches
carved out by the rally cars, yet trying to
emulate their prowess. We also had to
avoid a rather slow, massive truck that
appeared out of nowhere, much to our
astonishment.
After about 11 miles, our big grins
and laughter were transformed into
smiles of self-satised content as the
stage ended and we took a sharp left
back onto tarmac. Our overnight stop
in the mountains at the Pliadon GI
Resort at Trikala afforded some
stunning views as the sun went down
behind the peaks.
Day three consisted of more
climbing into the mountains in the
morning, but this time on muddy
tracks, often very slippery. A few of the
more technical sections found our
RAVs waggling their wheels in the air
and splashing through the puddles.
Once again, the vistas were absolutely
stunning as we wound our way below
some sheer craggy walls and around
tight bends over sheer drops
festooned with vibrant yellow gorse
bushes. After an hour or two we turned
a sharp left-hander and suddenly there
was the brilliantly blue sea before us.
Our adventure was near its end.
The track sauntered down to sea
level at Kato Pitsa. The last section
included a deep-water drive on a
ooded concrete road that gave the
RAV4s a much-needed wash and
brush-up. Wed had a superb drive over
three days, discovered some of
Greeces hidden delights and found
plenty of lovely, old, rusty Nissan,
Toyota and Mitsubishi pick-up trucks
and some with badges we couldnt
place and gaped, open-mouthed at
the lack of road safety that appears to
be practised in this beautiful but
troubled country.
This trip had been a perfect way to
pay homage to the granddaddy of the
SUV world, and the sight; nally, of the
rst generation RAV basking in the late
evening sunshine outside our retreat in
the mountain was a real sight for sore
eyes and prompted much nodding of
heads in appreciation. Now, with some
modications the original RAV could
make a great little rally car... 4x4
Above: Punctures
high in mountains
on narrow track are
always good fun.
Last spare called into
action
Left: Anniversary
adventure included
WRC Rally Stages.
Way too much fun in
a RAV4
Below: Tight hairpins
dominated much
of Day 2 - a few
manoeuvres required
at times
*Car covering 15,000 miles per year = saving of 331.00. 4x4 covering 15,000 miles per year = saving of 572.00. HGV covering 50,000 miles per year = saving of 5250.00
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