Japanese manufacturers have never really been particularly enamored with diesel engines, so not too many tears will have been shed by Toyota as it was announced production of the diesel version of the RAV4 is now ending. The Japanese auto giant is committed to eradicating oil-burning models from its portfolio, and the popular RAV4 is the latest victim of the ongoing purge of all things diesel at Toyota.
Petrol and electrified powertrains are where Toyota now sees its future, so the single 2.0-litre diesel version of the compact crossover has now been axed.
Speaking to the UK's Autocar publication, A Toyota spokesperson said: "there will still be cars in stock or in allocation from production" based on predictions of demand, but "no new specific orders [for diesels] can be placed."
The end of the diesel to leave just 2.0-liter petrol and 2.5-liter hybrid versions of the RAV is well timed as the current generation of the globally popular RAV4 is now entering in its "run-out phase." A new, considerably more rugged generation that was unveiled at the most recent New York International Auto Show replaces the current model in 2019.
Even though the 2019 RAV4 will be built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform and will be larger than the current model, the same powertrains will be offered, albeit in updated forms. Of course, no diesel variants of the new model will be offered whatsoever.
The end of the diesel RAV4 is no surprise as only last year Toyota's executive vice-president, Didier Leroy, claimed the company's success with petrol and hybrid powerplants meant diesel was no longer relevant. Leroy said: "My personal opinion — and this is my personal opinion, not a company one — is no, we'll not launch another diesel car."
The diesel version of the Toyota Auris already ceased production towards the end of last year, so that now leaves the Verso MPV, Proace Verso MPV, Land Cruiser, Proace Van and Hilux pickups as the only diesel models in the company's European lineup. In the US, even Toyota's full-size Tundra pickup truck is a petrol-only model.
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