Toyota is making important steps toward its fully electric range of cars. We don’t get to see the full specifications and models with whom the Japanese manufacturer will attack the electric car market, but we do get a hint.
Toyota took another step forward along its electrification leadership journey with the global announcement of the Toyota bZ4X all-electric BEV production model.
The TOYOTA bZ series adopts a BEV-dedicated platform that aims for a value greater than zero (“beyond Zero”). The bZ4X has the excitement of an SUV-style BEV, driving appeal, and is the first model of the Toyota’s bZ series, which emphasizes safety and peace of mind. It will be launched worldwide in the middle of 2022.
The BEV-dedicated platform (first for Toyota) which is the basis of all systems was jointly developed with Subaru Corporation (Subaru). Through this platform, which incorporates the unique requirements of BEVs with a low center of gravity and greater rigidity, we pursued off-road performance required for SUVs, with attractive, smooth, intuitive driving performance, not just for a BEV, but for any car.
Pursuing aerodynamic performance, in addition to lightening of the body unit, the following systems and equipment were adopted to reduce energy consumption other than for driving, especially power used for heating in winter settings
– Heat pump-type air-conditioning
– Seat and steering wheel heaters, and front-seat radiant foot-heating (first for Toyota)
The bZ4X is part of Toyota’s “beyond Zero” brand umbrella for battery electric vehicles. U.S. product details will be shared in mid-November.
