This marks the development of Toyota's long-established electrified vehicle technologies, it also delivers important innovations in safety, driver assistance systems and multimedia connectivity, and expands the role of the car beyond a means of A-to-B transport to support new mobility opportunities.
The bZ4X is a spacious, comfortable SUV, with a new all-wheel drive system that provides class-leading off-road handling and performance, with separate electric motors for each axle. It is the first model to be developed by Toyota entirely as a BEV and also the first to use the company's new BEV-dedicated platform. Based on e-TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) philosophy, it incorporates the battery unit as an integral part of the chassis, beneath the vehicle floor. This brings multiple benefits, including a low centre of gravity, excellent front/rear wight balance and high body rigidity, all of which make a positive contribution to safety, ride and handling.
The front-wheel drive bZ4X is powered by a high-response 150kW electric motor. It produces 201bhp and 265Nm of torque, enabling 0-62mph acceleration in 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 100mph. The all-wheel drive model (further details below) has maximum power of 214.5bhp with 336Nm of torque; top speed is unchanged, while acceleration to 62mph is reduced to 7.7 seconds. All performance figures remain provisional prior to homologation.
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 high-density battery has a 71.4kWh capacity and is expected to enable a zero emission driving range of more than 280 miles (applying WLTP test parameters). The figure will vary according to model version and is provisional, pending official homologation.
The battery can be fast-charged without compromising safety or service life: an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in around 30 minutes with a 150kW fast-charging system (CCS2). From the fourth quarter of 2022 an 11kW three-phase on-board charger will be available, further improving charging performance.