Toyota has unveiled its first electric car, all-new bZ4X, an electric SUV that features an all-wheel-drive system, steer-by-wire system, solar panel roof, and other features. The bZ4X is the first model in a new series of bZ – beyond Zero – battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

The production-ready bZ4X is the first model to be developed by Toyota entirely as a BEV. It is also the first car to be built on the company’s new BEV dedicated platform. Based on the e-TNGA philosophy, this has been co-developed by Subaru and Toyota. The bZ4X is a spacious, comfortable SUV, available with a new all-wheel-drive system that provides class-leading off-road handling and performance with separate electric motors for each axle.

Toyota has drawn on almost 25 years of experience in electrified vehicle battery technology to secure world-leading quality, durability and reliability for the lithium-ion unit which powers the bZ4X. Even after 10 years of driving, the battery is expected to still operate at 90% of its original performance, says Toyota.

The high-density lithium-ion battery of the bZ4x has a 71.4 kWh capacity that is expected to deliver a driving range of more than 450 km (applying to WLTP metrics). . The bZ4X will also offer advanced technology features, including a solar panel roof to help charge the battery while driving or parked, and a third-generation Toyota Safety Sense with new and improved active safety and driver assistance systems.

Compared to the Toyota RAV4, the bZ4X has an overall height that’s lower by 85 mm, shorter overhangs and a wheelbase that that’s 160 mm longer than the RAV4. The bonnet line is also reduced in height by 50 mm. Overall agility is reflected in a class-leading 5.7 m turning radius. The long-wheelbase delivers class-leading legroom for all occupants and a one-metre couple distance between the front and rear passenger hip points. There is also generous load space with an adjustable deckboard; with the rear seats in place, there is up to 452 litres.

The front-wheel-drive bZ4X is powered by a high-response 150 kW electric motor. It produces 204 DIN hp and 265 Nm of torque, enabling 0-100 km/h acceleration in 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 160 km/h. The all-wheel-drive model has a maximum power of 217.5 DIN hp with 336 Nm of torque; top speed is unchanged, while acceleration to 100 km/h is reduced to 7.7 seconds. The system offers the option of “single pedal drive” with a boost in the braking energy regeneration that lets the driver accelerate and slow the vehicle using only the throttle pedal.

The AWD model features separate 80 kW motors driving the front and rear axles. XMODE with its different drive modes can also be selected to suit the conditions with settings for snow/mud; deep snow and mud (below 20 km/h); and Grip Control for tougher off-road driving (below 10 km/h).

The bZ4X will be the first production Toyota to offer a steer-by-wire system – One Motion Grip – due for introduction in Europe at a later date. Dispensing with the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the front wheels, this electronic system adjusts the tyre angle precisely according to the driver’s intention, and provides more legroom, improving driving position freedom and ease of entry and exit. The traditional steering wheel is replaced with the One Motion Grip-control, making operation smoother and easier, with no need for hand-over-hand turning. Full-lock can be achieved with just a 150-degree turn.

With no physical connection in the system, unnecessary vibration from the tyres is blocked, but the driver still experiences valuable feedback, such as from the road surface. The steering feeling is improved through independent control of the steering torque; steering characteristics can be changed according to the drive mode selected.

The bZ4X’s driving range can be maximised with the use of an optional solar panel roof. This captures solar energy with zero cost to generate electricity to charge the car’s drive battery. It can be used when the car’s ignition is on or off and Toyota calculates that it can harness enough power in the course of a year to enable 1,800 km of driving.

The bZ4X will benefit from the third generation Toyota Safety Sense with new and improved functions to provide protection against an even wider range of common accident risks.

The Toyota bZ4X will see its European premiere on 2 December 2021.  Expect worldwide deliveries to begin from 2022 spring.

Toyota