The electric SUV is supposed to roll up the market for electric cars from behind.
Cologne Hybrid pioneer Toyota is giving up its reluctance to buy electric cars. In mid-2022, the Japanese are launching the bZ4X compact SUV, their first purely battery-powered model. The brand’s debut Stromer, of which there will also be a variant from cooperation partner Subaru, is based on the well-known hybrid SUV RAV4 in terms of design and dimensions.
There are clear visual differences, especially at the front, which dispenses with a classic radiator grille, and at the slightly sloping rear. In addition, the wheelbase of the e-mobile is one and a half centimeters longer, the overhangs at the front and rear are slightly shorter than on the sister model.
As the technical basis, the bZ4X is the first Toyota to use the electric version of the TNGA platform. This offers space in the underbody for a 71.4 kWh battery, which should enable a range of 450 kilometers. The Japanese give an unusually generous battery guarantee of ten years, after which 90 percent of the capacity should still be available. The industry standard is eight years and 70 to 80 percent.
The Toyota charges alternating current at the wallbox and public pillar thanks to a three-phase charger with 11 kW. With the direct current fast charger, it comes to up to 150 kW. As a plug, the Japanese in this country use the CCS standard common in Europe instead of the Chademo connection, which is more common in Asia. The manufacturer estimates a typical charge of 80 percent for around 30 minutes.
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A solar roof also provides free electricity replenishment, which, under optimal conditions, should generate enough energy for 1,800 kilometers of travel per year. When it comes to drive, the customer has the choice between front-wheel and all-wheel drive. In the first case, a 150 kW / 204 PS electric motor is used, which accelerates the SUV to 100 km / h in 8.4 seconds and enables speeds of up to 160 km / h.
Competitor for VW ID.4 and Tesla Model Y
The all-wheel drive model has an additional electric motor on the rear axle (80 kW / 109 PS), which increases the system output only slightly to 160 kW / 218 PS. The sprint to 100 km / h is 0.7 seconds faster, the top speed remains unchanged. As a special technical feature, the E-Toyota has electronic steering that does not require a mechanical connection between the valance and the wheels (“steer-by-wire”).
The “One Motion Grip” technology is intended to save installation space and thus improve the space available for the driver. In addition, steering should become more comfortable, even if the wheels turn heavily, according to the manufacturer, you no longer need to change your grip. The system is not available in Europe at the time of market launch, but should be submitted later.
The somewhat unwieldy model name starts with the letter combination “bZ”, which will also be used in the five other electric cars of the brand that have already been announced. The “4” should stand for the hierarchy within the model range, the “X” for the crossover segment. The price for the brand’s debut Stromer, which competes against VW ID.4 and Tesla Model Y, among others, is likely to be between 40,000 and 45,000 euros.
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