Toyota is finally getting serious about Electric Vehicles (EVs) and has released new information about its upcoming electric compact SUV, the BZ4X. We are hoping the name of this car brand will change as it sounds more like an internal project name than a commercial name. The car can also be customized with a solar roof and a steering yoke similar to the one in Tesla’s Model S, otherwise without these options you can get the default model.
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Toyota first showcased the BZ4X earlier this year at the Shanghai Auto Show, along with an electric vehicle strategy that the company said will result in 15 new battery-electric vehicles released by 2025.
The Toyota BZ4X was developed in partnership with another Japanese automaker Subaru. This should come as no surprise since Toyota owns a 8.7% stake in Subaru. This partnership has led to the creation of the e-TNGA platform which enables several characteristics, including a steer-by-wire system, all-wheel drive, improved visibility, and a regenerative braking system that is common among electric vehicles. Toyota said the BZ4X would be released globally by the middle of 2022. In this joint venture, Subaru can also design its own electric vehicles using the e-TNGA platform.
The interior of the Toyota BZ4X looks breathe taking as it features a unique instrument cluster, with the screen set back from the steering wheel in a way that Toyota says will improve driver visibility. The central infotainment screen appears to be floating above the dash as opposed to embedded within it. And there are a number of physical buttons in the center console and on the steering wheel, proof that Toyota is not fully embracing the digital user experience like companies like Tesla.
The BZ4X’s exterior still retains a conventional shape and appears to be similar in size to a Toyota RAV4 and some Harrier Model design cues.
When it comes to raw horsepower, the car will come in two powertrains: a 201-horsepower front-wheel-drive, and a 215hp four-wheel-drive that will have estimated ranges of 500 and 460 km per charge, respectively. (Those estimates are based on the global WLTC rating, which tends to be higher than the EPA’s estimates.) The vehicle is equipped with a 71.4kWh battery pack, which is on par with other great EV in terms of energy capacity. There are other quirky options, including a solar roof that Toyota says can generate electricity “equivalent to 1,800 km of driving distance per year.” It’s also capable of two-way charging for vehicle-to-home capacity.
The introduction of the BZ4X comes on the heels of Toyota’s announcement that it will invest around $13.6 billion in battery tech over the next decade, including a $9 billion investment in production.
