Toyota
Toyota has announced a new global range of seven all-electric vehicles under its “Beyond Zero” brand. The first of this battery-powered group to carry the “BZ” weapon is the BZ4X Concept SUV, making its debut this week.
The automaker’s greater push for carbon neutrality includes expanding its global electric vehicle portfolio – which includes hydrogen fuel cell electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles – to a total of 70 models by 2025. vehicles (BEVs), seven of which will be part of the Beyond Zero brand. And yes, Toyota trucks will come into action with hybrid and BEV drives coming for the carmaker’s pickup in the near future.
The BZ4X Concept is a battery-powered SUV built on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, though most Roadshow staff think it looks pretty close to production ready based on the released photos. The exterior design reminds me of that the RAV4, but surprisingly even more angular and sharply folded. Contrasting finishes around the wheel arches are finished in glossy black – rather than the more common mat – and at the front, the BZ4X’s fascia is shaped for the unique aerodynamic and cooling needs of an electric motor. This means significantly smaller grille openings than the gaping symptoms of Toyota’s current design language.
Scale is hard to see from photos, but the SUV looks about the same length as the RAV4, but with the long wheelbase and short overhangs that the platform provides for electric vehicles. Think Lexus NX length with the RX wheelbase; Hyundai and Kia will pick up a similar trick with their upcoming game Ioniq 5 and EV6 electric sport utility vehicles.
Inside, the BZ4X has an ‘open-concept interior’ with a digital instrumentation group in a strange position. The measuring screen sits low and very far forward on the dashboard above what I call an inverted hood. According to Toyota, this orientation will “help to expand the vehicle’s sense of space, but also to increase the visibility of safe and secure driving.” I think it just seems weird.
In the center of the dashboard is a large widescreen display above a bench with climate control buttons. Furthermore, on the floating center console, are the electronic slider and physical buttons for various vehicle and safety systems, including a button for a single-pedal drive mode, such as the Nissan Leaf’s e-Pedal.
Even with the odd measurement placement, the interior looks production-ready.
Toyota
Near the base of the center console is a large translucent blue panel. Perhaps it is an interface for the information; maybe it’s a fancy cover for a storage corner. I hope for the latter: Trackpads are for laptops, not for cars.
Toyota has not announced details or range of drive systems, but we do know that the BZ4X is a joint development with Subaru and will include electric four-wheel drive. There are rumors about Subaru to work on its own electric sport utility vehicle – probably called the Evoltis – built on the same e-TNGA platform.
If you take a closer look at the BZ4X, it’s hard to see it as a concept. The design apparently has all the street-legal covers. The interior is fully realized down to the buttons. On top of that, it looks like Toyota will soon increase production of BZ4X in Japan and China. Global sales begin in 2022. Details regarding US availability will be ‘shared later’.