Toyota unveils it’s first electric car bZ4X with 500 km driving range

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Toyota bZ4X electric car

A new Toyota SUV, the bZ4X, has been unveiled, and it’s Toyota’s first all-electric vehicle.

Toyota showed the car to the public as a concept at the Shanghai Motor Show, but until now, it has not provided any technical specifications or details on its features.

The bZ4X was officially unveiled today in Japan at an event hosted by the automaker in advance of the vehicle going on sale next year.

The bZ4X could be considered Toyota’s first battery-electric vehicle because it is the first to use a BEV-dedicated platform and is available globally. Toyota has previously offered all-electric vehicles in China.

Toyota bZ4X ev side profile

Toyota bZ4X

“beyond zero” or bz is Toyota’s latest electrification strategy and a sort of sub-brand for its upcoming electric vehicles, beginning with the bZ4X.

The electric SUV is essentially the same as the concept vehicle. It retains some of its aggressive styling, such as sharp edges and an angular shape:

We now have more information on the specifications of the device. Everything Toyota has revealed so far is for the Japanese market only.

It’s expected that the US version will be unveiled next month, but until then, this should give us a good idea.

In terms of power, the vehicle is powered by a 71.4 kWh battery. According to Toyota’s current “cruising range per charge (WLTC)” claims, 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).

Toyota bZ4X ev

The all-wheel-drive model has an 80 kW motor on each axle, while the front-wheel-drive model has a 150 kW motor.

In terms of DC fast-charging, Toyota claims that it can charge to an 80% state-of-charge in about 30 minutes with its capacity, which appears to be 150 kW.

It’s a good entry-level electric SUV in terms of specs for the mid-level SUV market.

Toyota bZ4X ev solar panel roof

Aside from the bZ4X’s impressive electric drivetrain, Toyota has clearly paid attention to the features other automakers have included in their EVs and incorporated many of them into the bZ4X.

To begin with, it has the bi-directional ability to charge vehicles in homes in both directions at the same time.

With the optional solar roof, it can generate enough electricity to power 1,800 kilometers of driving per year, which is a claim Toyota makes.

Toyota bZ4X steering wheel design

Additionally, Toyota is offering an optional “wing-shaped” steering wheel for the bZ4X, which the company claims improves visibility.

The “Yoke” steering wheel from Tesla, which was recently introduced in the Model S Plaid, is also debuting on Toyota’s first electric vehicle bZ4X.

Toyota’s “wing-shaped” steering wheel with a steer-by-wire system, enabling what Toyota calls a “one motion grip,” fixed the major problem with Tesla’s wheel.

  • As a result, drivers no longer have to switch grips when navigating a U-turn, parking in a garage, or driving on narrow, winding roads because the lock-to-lock angle is around 150 degrees.
  • The driver’s perception of steering torque and tire steering angle can be independently controlled, which improves the steering feel. Drive mode selection alters steering characteristics.
  • Tire vibrations are blocked, and only necessary vibrations are transmitted, such as road information. When using Lane Tracing Assist or driving on uneven terrain, the system regulates tire movement to keep the vehicle stable.
  • Using the One-motion grip increases the amount of legroom, which enhances driving position freedom and makes getting in and out of the vehicle easier.

Toyota bZ4X ev interior cockpit view

A lot more information about the Toyota bZ4X, including pricing and availability, should be available in the next few months.

In the middle of 2022, the electric SUV is expected to arrive in Japan for the first time.