Japanese automaker Toyota is consolidating its grasp of electrification with the new bZ4X electric crossover. Toyota launched the bZ4X concept car in April last year, which is a RAV4-size SUV developed in cooperation with Subaru. Now, Toyota has announced more interesting details on its first all-electric car. What impressed us was the availability of the wing-shaped steering wheel in the new Tesla Model S.
According to Toyota, the bZ4X's driver-centric cab "emphasizes ease of viewing by reducing eye movement and achieving long-distance focus", which is made possible by adopting a wing-shaped tiller to "facilitate eye guidance from hand to meter." In other words, cutting off the top of the tiller can improve the forward field of vision, while allowing unconstrained access to the top-mounted digital instrument panel.
In addition, some variants of the bZ4X will be equipped with a steer-by-wire system, eliminating all mechanical connections between the front tires and the steering wheel. Toyota claims that the bZ4X will have a 150-degree lockout setting, allowing the driver to fully turn the steering wheel without changing the handlebar when turning around or entering a narrow parking space. bZ4X will also be equipped with a dial-type shift knob.
The 2022 Toyota bZ4X (Beyond Zero) will be equipped with a dedicated BEV platform based on Toyota's modular e-TNGA architecture. It is similar to the base of Subaru Solterra, with a thin battery pack and an integrated E-axis under the floor, combining the electric motor, inverter and transaxle into a single unit.
The wheelbase of the bZ4X is 165 mm longer than that of the RAV4 hybrid. It also has a shorter drape and a lower 85mm. Toyota also uses Subaru's AWD and X-MODE technologies (first by Toyota) to improve traction on all types of roads, including light off-road driving.
In Japan, Toyota bZ4X made its debut in FWD and 4WD versions. The former will have a single front motor with an output of 201 horsepower, while the latter will have two motors and an 80kW rear motor with a total power of 308 horsepower. The bZ4X FWD can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. On the other hand, the AWD dual-motor variant takes 7.7 seconds, which is not bad for a family-sized crossover.
Both variants will be equipped with a 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. We have no news about the estimated mileage, but the electric architecture supports DC fast charging up to 150 kW. In addition, the Toyota bZ4X has an available roof solar panel that can generate electricity for approximately 1,100 miles (1,800 kilometers) per year without emissions.
Toyota bZ4X also has a DC external power supply similar to the V2L function of Hyundai and Kia, allowing users to plug home appliances and other gadgets into the vehicle. Toyota will reveal more information about bZ4X in the coming months, including plans to release other battery electric vehicles as part of Toyota's new bZ sub-brand. At the moment, we are very happy that one of the world's largest automakers has finally (and officially) become part of the EV category.