The full-electric Toyota bZ4X SUV, the first production model of the brand’s bZ series, has been officially announced. It represents Toyota’s approach “Practical and Sustainable”. Expect its launch in mid-2022.
As a step towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, Toyota Motor Corporation introduces an all-new midsize SUV-type battery electric vehicle on a BEV-dedicated platform – the Toyota bZ4X. It is the first global production model of a new bZ series.
The company plans to have seven bZ vehicles by 2025. With the introduction of this series, Toyota establishes 4 target values: You & Others, You & Your Car, You & the Environment, You & Society, Toyota‘s official press release reports.
Toyota applies an “activity hub” concept for its bZ4X. The sense of the concept is to provide enjoyable time and space for drivers and passengers. The styling is based on the “Hi-Tech and Emotion” design theme.
The e-TNGA philosophy is the basis for the vehicle’s platform. It means achieving great driving performance through a low center of gravity and more rigidity.
The automaker developed the BEV for safe and convenient driving within many years. The bZ4X offers 500 km of a cruising range per charge (WLTC), a battery 3R (Rebuilt, Reuse, Recycle) with a capacity retention ratio of 90% after 10 years or 240,000 km/150,000 miles, high degree safety of the battery cell, the latest Toyota Safety Sense active safety package.
The Toyota bZ4X SUV features an extra-wide and relaxing interior space, a low upholstered instrument panel, a big panoramic roof, a cockpit that emphasizes meter visibility. Quietness in the cabin is achieved due to high soundproofing glass and wind-noise reduction. Moreover, Toyota uses energy-saving technology for inside heating, conditioning, charging.
Some innovative features, Toyota’s firsts, include:
- Electricity Supply Unit that consolidates charging and power distribution functions
- Adoption of Subaru’s AWD technology and X-MODE with Grip-Control
- Top-mounted meters, visible through the upper part of the steering wheel
- Dial type shift
- The one-motion grip that combines a steer-by-wire system and a steering wheel of the unique shape
The Toyota bZ4X adopts cloud navigation and specialized services: charging stations or driving support displays, among others. Also, it features the enhanced voice-recognition function, over-the-air updates, Digital Key, and even a roof solar panel.
Toyota will be launching the bZ4X in all regions from the middle of next year. Details about the U.S.-spec vehicle will be shared in mid-November.
The Toyota bZ4X is roughly the size of the RAV4 and is a direct competitor to the Volkswagen ID.4. The latter, by the way, was well accepted by the US car market. Volkswagen sells 2,000 ID.4s in America every month.
Toyota offers the bZ4X SUV with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The engine power of the front-wheel-drive version is 204 hp. For the bZ4X with all-wheel drive, there are two engines with a total output of 218 hp.
Toyota expects the electric crossover to have 311 miles (500 km) of range for the FWD vehicle and 286 miles (460 km) for the AWD model.
The SUV that weighs more than 2 tons will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 8.4 seconds. For the double-engine all-wheel-drive version, this time is only 7.7 seconds. The maximum speed achieves 99.4 mph (160 km/h). The capacity of the lithium-ion battery is 71.4 kWh.
