Scotty,
FWIW: I watched your review of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid today (my wife drives a 2019 Rav4 Hybrid Limited and I have a 2021 Venza Hybrid Limited). During your discussion of the ecvt you flashed a picture of a standard BELT drive cvt which is incorrect. Actually, these hybrids have a planetary gear system with no belt - really quite impressive engineering, if you ask me. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O61WihMRdjM for an interesting, technical breakdown and discussion.
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Also (and again fwiw), I have found the iAWD system on these newer Toyotas to be quite impressive. They are a computer-controlled, electric motor assembly at the rear axle (i.e., no mechanical driveshaft/differential). Obviously, being computer-controlled the system provides an infinite number of rear-front, left-right drive combinations and power levels based on which wheel is slipping or how much power is required. System is OFF when not needed. Hydro-planing? Slipping in the snow? Never again! I am amazed that Toyota doesn't toot their horn about this system more than it does.
Regards,
Retired Mech Engineer in Yakima driving NBTs (Nothing But Toyotas) since 1980
Never again! I am amazed that Toyota doesn't toot their horn about this system more than it does.
Maybe they don't want to admit that their revolutionary rear axle technology was pioneered by dead automaker Saab over a decade ago before going bankrupt. :silly:
Prototype AWD Saabs with the electronic rear axle were built in 2011 but the company didn't survive long enough to put them into production.
https://www.saabsunited.com/2011/08/e-aam-is-charged-up.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DepKIIvhGKA
@jrspe Is correct, the eCVT transmission in the RAV4 hybrid, or most Toyota hybrids, are planetary gear sets, not belt driven CVT.
