2023 Toyota bZ4X [EU]

The Toyota bZ4X is a spacious, comfortable SUV, with a new all-wheel drive system that provides class-leading off-road handling and performance, with separate electric motors for each axle. It is the first model to be developed by Toyota entirely as a BEV and also the first to use the company's new BEV-dedicated platform. Based on eTNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) philosophy, it incorporates the battery unit as an integral part of the chassis, beneath the vehicle floor. This brings multiple benefits, including a low centre of gravity, excellent front/rear weight balance and high body rigidity, all of which make a positive contribution to safety, ride and handling.

Aerodynamic features

The design incorporates aerodynamic elements that manage air flow over and under the vehicle and contribute to the driving range. These include apertures deep in the front bumper corners to create smooth air curtains; a full underbody cover; a split roof spoiler and rear duck-tail lip spoiler; rear diffuser; and a precisely angled rear screen. The slim lower grille has a shutter that adjusts to channel cooling air flow to the battery and helps reduce wind resistance.

Performance

The front-wheel drive Toyota bZ4X is powered by a high-response 150 kW electric motor. It produces 204 DIN hp and 265 Nm of torque, enabling 0-100 km/h acceleration in 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 160 km/h. The all-wheel drive model (further details below) has maximum power of 217.5 DIN hp with 336 Nm of torque; top speed is unchanged, while acceleration to 100 km/h is reduced to 7.7 seconds. All performance figures remain provisional prior to homologation. The system offers the option of "single pedal drive" with a boost in the braking energy regeneration that lets the driver accelerate and slow the vehicle using only the throttle pedal.

Battery quality guaranteed

Toyota has drawn on more than 25 years' experience in electrified vehicle battery technology to ensure the new lithium-ion unit in the bZ4X has world-leading quality, durability and reliability. Its confidence in the technology is reflected in an extended care programme that guarantees the battery will still operate to 70% of its original capacity after up to 10 years of ownership or one million kilometres driven, subject to the customer taking their vehicle to an authorised Toyota service centre for an annual health check. To ensure this guarantee could be offered, Toyota developed the battery with a target of 90% of capacity retained after 10 years/240 000 km. This level of quality and performance is supported by multiple monitoring of the battery's voltage, current and temperature, at individual cell level. If any abnormal heat generation is detected, controls are automatically triggered. Countermeasures have been put in place to mitigate any material degradation, and there are safeguards in the manufacturing process to prevent foreign matter from entering the battery. In a Toyota first, the battery is water-cooled.

All-round environmental performance

The Toyota bZ4X's positive environmental profile is not limited to the zero emission performance of its all-electric drivetrain. Toyota is making wide use of recycled materials in the car's construction and will operate a programme of rebuilding, reuse and recycling for the battery, ensuring the lifecycle of its components and materials is maximised. The bZ4X's driving range can be extended with an optional solar panel roof. This captures solar energy to generate electricity to charge the car's drive battery. It can be used when the car's ignition is on or off and Toyota calculates that it can harness enough power in the course of a year for 1,800 km of driving.