Toyota envisions a future in which carbon neutrality is achieved through the practical marketization of a portfolio of products with advanced, alternative-fuel and zero-emission powertrain technologies. Already a leader in electrification, the company took a major step forward today with the introduction of the Toyota bZ4X Concept, a vision for the first of a global series of battery-electric vehicles to be introduced under the “Toyota bZ” brand umbrella.
The Toyota bZ4X Concept joins a full lineup of electrified vehicles – a lineup that, in total, accounts for more than 40% of all alternative powertrain vehicles sold in Canada. These alternative powertrains include battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric.
Toyota plans to expand to around 70 electrified models globally by 2025. This future lineup will feature 15 dedicated BEVs, including seven carrying the bZ (Beyond Zero) brand moniker. In addition, Toyota intends to bring electrification to its pickup truck lineup in the near future, including hybrid electric and BEV powertrains. This diverse portfolio of electrified products will help propel Toyota toward its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
“The Toyota bZ4X concept points to yet another option in our already robust electrified portfolio,” said Bob Carter, TMNA executive vice president of sales. “At Toyota, we are a human-centered company – the customer is our CEO and will ultimately decide which technologies will carry us toward a carbon neutral future. With investments and product offerings across the spectrum of electrification, we intend to be there with products and technologies that meet the diverse needs of customers around the world.”
Jointly developed with Subaru, the Toyota bZ4X SUV Concept is built on the new e-TNGA BEV- dedicated platform. The concept conveys Toyota’s legendary quality, durability and long-term reliability (QDR) in combination with Subaru’s AWD capabilities to achieve a driving experience that is both comfortable and engaging.
The Toyota bZ4X SUV concept features a long wheelbase with short overhangs, resulting in a distinctive design with ample interior space. The open-concept interior is designed to enhance driver comfort and confidence on the road. With every detail purposefully engineered, the low position of the instrument panel and the location of the metres above the steering wheel not only help expand the vehicle’s sense of space, but also help increase visibility to aid in safe and secure driving.
The bZ4X has a long wheelbase, and its short overhangs make for a roomy looking cabin. The instrument panel is positioned low to make for better outward visibility and instrument cluster is potion up and away under the front windshield. The centre console features a large screen with a rotary dial shifter and some additional control buttons and the unique use of cloth on the dash helps warm the interior. A flat floor and typical Toyota grade materials also stand out.
At this point, Toyota has no details of battery size, range or if this will be using the new solid-state battery technology. This is just a close-to-production concept to showcase the design but get set for more vehicle under the bZ name. Bz stands for “Beyond Zero” and it will be the name and model nomenclature prefix for Toyota’s upcoming all-electric division.
In fact, Toyota says it will have 15 BEV’s (Battery Electric Vehicles) by 2025 with seven using the bZ name. With hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and BEVs all in the mix, Toyota also claims it will have 70 electrified models by 2025, which is a mere 4 years away!
Toyota plans to produce the production bZ4X by the middle of 2022. North American-specific product information will be shared at a later date, so please stay tuned to these pages for those and exactly when it will begin to arrive at Canadian dealerships.
Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications, at any time, without notice.
