Toyota Unveils Its First Electric Vehicle, the BZ4X, with a 500-kilometer range.
The Toyota bZ4X, the company's first all-electric vehicle, has been unveiled. Toyota debuted the car to the public as a concept at the Shanghai Motor Show, but no technical specifications or details on its features have been released as of yet.
The bZ4X was officially unveiled on October 13, 2021, at an event hosted by the automaker in preparation for the vehicle's release the following year.
Because it is the first to use a BEV-dedicated platform and is available globally, the bZ4X could be considered Toyota's first battery-electric vehicle. Toyota previously sold all-electric vehicles in China.
Toyota bZ4X
Toyota's latest electrification strategy, "beyond zero," or bz, is a sort of sub-brand for its upcoming electric vehicles, beginning with the bZ4X.
The electric SUV is nearly identical to the concept vehicle. Some of its aggressive styling, such as sharp edges and an angular shape has been retained:
We now have more information on the device's specifications. Toyota has only revealed information for the Japanese market thus far.
The US version is expected to be unveiled next month, but this should give us a good idea until then.
The vehicle's power is provided by a 71.4 kWh battery. Toyota's current "cruising range per charge (WLTC)" claims are that the front-wheel drive version has a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles) and the all-wheel drive version has a range of 460 kilometers (286 miles).
Each axle on the all-wheel-drive model has an 80 kW motor, while the front-wheel-drive model has a 150 kW motor. Toyota claims that its DC fast-charging capacity, which appears to be 150 kW, can charge to an 80 percent state-of-charge in about 30 minutes. In terms of specs, it's a good entry-level electric SUV for the mid-level SUV market.
Aside from the bZ4X's impressive electric drivetrain, Toyota has clearly taken note of the features that other automakers have included in their EVs and incorporated many of them into the bZ4X.
To begin with, it has the bi-directional capability of charging vehicles in both directions in the home at the same time. Toyota claims that with the optional solar roof, it can generate enough electricity to power 1,800 kilometers of driving per year.
Toyota also offers a "wing-shaped" steering wheel as an option for the bZ4X, which the company claims improves visibility. The Tesla "Yoke" steering wheel, which was recently introduced in the Model S Plaid, is also making its debut on Toyota's first electric vehicle, the bZ4X.
Toyota's "wing-shaped" steering wheel with a steer-by-wire system, enabling what Toyota calls a "one motion grip," corrected Tesla's major flaw.
• As a result, drivers no longer need to switch grips when performing a U-turn, parking in a garage, or driving on narrow, winding roads because the lock-to-lock angle is approximately 150 degrees.
• The driver's perception of steering torque and tire steering angle can be controlled independently, improving steering feel. The steering characteristics change depending on the drive mode selected.
• Tire vibrations are blocked, and only necessary vibrations, such as road information, are transmitted. The system regulates tire movement to keep the vehicle stable when using Lane Tracing Assist or driving on uneven terrain.
• Using the One-motion grip increases legroom, which improves driving position freedom and facilitates getting in and out of the vehicle.
