Toyota has revealed its first pure-electric vehicle, a new SUV known as the bZ4x. At roughly the same size as Toyota's existing RAV4 model, it will form the first part of a series of bZ-branded ("beyond zero") electric vehicles.
Angular looks
In terms of size, the bZ4x's wheelbase is 160mm longer than that of the Toyota RAV4, though the new car is just 90mm longer than its sibling. The roofline is lower giving it a sleeker profile.
Up front, the only grille is a small opening in the lower apron, while the lights are slim LED matrix units that wrap backwards to meet the bZ4x's black wheel-arch mouldings. Between the lights runs a black strip housing sensors for the car's autonomous driving features.
Those plastic wheel-arch mouldings give the car a more rugged look and will likely prove useful in the urban jungle of stray shopping trolleys and busy car parks. Filling out those arches are alloy wheels that can be specified up to 20 inches in diameter. The rear-end features a full-width LED light bar.
Inside, the seven-inch digital instrument panel is mounted low in the driver's eyeline for greater visibility and a large, centrally-mounted touchscreen provides infotainment and other control functions. Boot space measures in at 452 litres.
Fly-by-wire steering
Underpinning the bZ4x is the new e-TNGA platform developed between Toyota and Subaru and which will provide the basis for the upcoming Subaru Solterra and a similarly sized Lexus model due in 2022. The batteries are housed low in the chassis, which allows for a reduced height and lower centre of gravity.
In developing the platform, Toyota worked on "One Motion Grip," a steer-by-wire system that dispenses with a mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the front wheels. The main benefits for the driver, according to Toyota, is that it increases legroom and removes all but necessary vibrations coming through the front wheels to the driver. The system won't be available in European models from launch but will be introduced further down the line. In our image gallery, it's denoted by the Tesla yoke-like steering wheel.
Power delivery
Two versions of the bZ4x will be available - a single-motor, front-wheel-drive model and an all-wheel-drive variant. The former is driven by a 150kW motor developing 204hp with 0-100km/h in 8.4 seconds.
The all-wheel-drive version develops 218hp via two motors with 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds. Additionally, this model features a number of control settings for tougher driving conditions such as mud or snow.
Both models are capable of 150kW fast charging, meaning that an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in around 30 minutes. The 71.4kWh battery pack can deliver around 450km between charges.
When is the bZ4x arriving in Ireland?
The bZ4x's European premiere takes place on December 2nd and the model is expected to land in Irish showrooms in May 2022, though pricing hasn't yet been announced.