Toyota bZ4x, a model to dominate the electric market

It is a 100% electric SUV, the first to use the eTNGA platform – which it shares with Subaru and Lexus – and the one that will start its zero-emissions offensive, a segment it aims to lead over the next ten years.

The Toyota bZ4x is arguably the Japanese brand’s most significant launch in the past five years. It is a 100% electric SUV, the first to use the eTNGA platform – which it shares with Subaru and Lexus – and the platform it
will lead its zero-emissions offensivea segment it aims to lead over the next ten years.

Toyota has made its way into clean mobility before — in fact, the first electric RAV4 was made in 1996 — but they’ve mainly focused on hybrid powertrains and hydrogen fuel cell systems.

In December 2021, when its main rivals had already revealed their intentions to become an exclusive electric manufacturer, the CEO of the Japanese company, Akio Toyoda, announced that his consortium would spend more than $70,000 million developing more than 30 zero-emissions models in all segments.

The first to arrive is possibly one of the hippest: the D-segment SUV, in which the brand already has a very successful model: the RAV4. The bZ4x is bigger than this: 9 centimeters longer and has a 16 cm longer wheelbase. It is slightly shorter in height.

While the bZ4x nomenclature may seem strange at first glance, bZ refers to Toyota’s electric strategy (Beyond Zero), while the number indicates size and the last letter, the silhouette type. A sports car could therefore best be called bZ3r.

“We know it’s going to be one of the best-selling electric models because we hit the market at a good time,” he said.
Jose Manuel Mendez, the Brand General Manager of Toyota Spain. One of the advantages of going “late” to the market is that the public can already consider buying an electric one and the infrastructure is more developed than 10 years ago.

But in addition, Toyota has emphasized the construction and reliability of its first electric model. “Our reputation is at stake,” said Méndez, who estimates the brand will sell about 95,000 units per year once the plants are at full capacity. About 1,200 of these will come to the Spanish market.

The bZ4x is a demonstration of the most advanced technology Toyota has, the manufacturer that finished first in 2021 with more than 9.51 million units sold. It has its most advanced multimedia system, the most advanced sensors and cameras, all available ADAS elements and the ability to update wirelessly.

The 71.4 kWh batteries are produced in Japan through the joint venture between Toyota and Panasonic (PPES) and can give the vehicle a range of 411 km in the most powerful version, up to 516 km in the lightest version.

To achieve its ambitious sales figures, the bZ4x will be produced in China and Japan. Only models from the latter factory will arrive in Spain and initially only in two trim levels: Advance and Style Plus – these with larger wheels and a panoramic roof – both available with front or all-wheel drive.

The engines deliver 204 hp (150 kW) in the front-wheel drive version, while the full version has two 80 kW motors, one on each axle, developing 218 hp together. The advantage of this system is that it can constantly control torque to each wheel and provide traction even in difficult off-road environments.

Later, the possibility to equip the vehicle with a sunroof that recharges its batteries will come on the Spanish market. The power is modest (225 W), but according to the calculations of Japanese engineers, it delivers up to 1,800 free km per year, with the sun of Nagoya (Japan). Madrid has 900 more hours of sunshine than Nagoya, so this figure should be more than 2,000 km.

The bZ4x will not be for sale in all markets, and Spain is one of them. In our country, it can be purchased only through a rental company of the financial brand Kinto One.

In the simulator presented by the brand, a contract of 48 months and 40,000 km was envisaged, good for an entry of 2,616 euros (plus the 7,000 of the Moves). With these factors, fees ranged from $599 a month for the Front-wheel Drive Advance trim to $699 for the Style Plus 4×4.

engines: electric 204 or 218 hp
Dimensions: 4.69/1.86/1.65
Trunk: 452 liters
Consumption: 14.3 kWh/100 km
Gear: 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds
Maximum speed: 160km/h
Prices: only available in rental

Source: La Verdad

Ida

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.