Toyota has announced details on the prices and specs of its upcoming battery-electric BZ4X model which is due to hit Irish showrooms in June.
Order books are now open for the company's first all-electric model which is also, Toyota says, the first of a line of BZ - "beyond zero" - models which will form a new sub-brand for the firm. The BZ4X represents a departure for Toyota which has, for more than twenty years, put its eggs in the hybrid rather than pure-electric basket. The model is also the first vehicle to be built on the new e-TNGA platform, architecture which will also be shared with the upcoming Lexus RZ and Subaru Solterra.
What to expect from the BZ4X
With its 71.4kWh battery, the BZ4X should, depending on the spec, manage around 450km between charges, though that's most likely from the single-motor 204hp front-wheel drive model. An all-wheel drive model with 218hp will also be available with a somewhat shorter range. As both models are capable of 150kW charging, a top-up to 80 per cent can be achieved in 30 minutes.
Toyota says that even after ten years of use, it expects that the BZ4X's batteries will still retain around 90 per cent of their original performance.
In Ireland, the BZ4X will be sold in Advanced, Sport and Premiere grades with plenty of on-board technology available such as a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, wireless phone charging, heated steering wheel and seats, front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera and an electrically-operated boot.
With the new platform, Toyota also developed a steering-by-wire system which removes most of the physical links between the steering wheel and the front wheels, increasing legroom for the driver and reducing the level of vibration transmitted back to the hands. Although not featured on the BZ4X from launch, it may become available further down the line.
High demand
Toyota Ireland is encouraging interested buyers to reserve their BZ4X as early as possible either through the company's website or via their nearest dealer as it expects that the 2022 allocation of the model will be sold out before the car hits Irish roads in June. This is partly due to high demand and partially down to the fact that global car production is still not running at fully capacity due to the worldwide semiconductor shortage.
Pricing
Prices for the BZ4X start from €43,402 excluding delivery and related charges. Given that many will likely be financing their purchase through a PCP deal, payments start from €444 per month.