Toyota’s first dedicated battery-powered electric vehicle, bZ4X The SUV, will soon hit the European market, with the first deliveries set for this summer. Ahead of the sale date, the automaker has released final range figures for the WLTP cycle, and it has already surpassed its own estimates for the vehicle.
According to the announcement, bZ4X is capable of driving up to 516 km on a single charge, slightly higher than what was previously announced. This figure, for the single-engine front-wheel drive model, is an impressive feat given the relatively modest 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery – Hyundai Ioniq 5For example, offers a range of 481 km with the rear motor and a slightly larger 72.6 kWh battery.
Toyota also does this with a more powerful engine (albeit less torque), producing 150 kW (204 PS) and 265 Nm of torque. The all-wheel drive version, which uses two engines to provide a total system output of 160 kW (218 PS) and 336 Nm, has a range of 470 km. The car supports DC fast charging up to 150 kW, making the battery 80% full in just 30 minutes. It can also accept AC charging up to 6.6 kW, with an 11 kW integrated charger to be made available in the fourth quarter of the year.
Furthermore, Toyota guarantees that the bZ4X’s battery will be able to charge no less than 70% after ten years or 1,000,000 km, whichever comes first, as part of an optional extended care program. European buyers will be able to choose from a number of contract rental offers, including an all-inclusive rental program that incorporates maintenance, wall-box chargers and access to connected services.
In short, the bZ4X builds on the dedicated electric version of the Toyota New Global Architecture (e-TNGA), developed in conjunction with Subaru. The Pleiades brand will sell a set of twins as Solterra and has also lent X-Mode technology with Grip Control to the AWD version of the car, which increases traction on slippery surfaces. At 4,690 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,650 mm tall – with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm – the bZ4X is 90 mm longer than the RAV4 and has a 160 mm longer wheelbase.
Other unique features include the more advanced Toyota Safety Sense system with oncoming and cross-traffic detection, a digital instrument display mounted above the steering wheel, and a stylish new fork design. Tesla way for wheels. This is linked to a steering system that will be offered at a later date and allows full locking to be achieved with a single 150-degree turn.
Closer to home, bZ4X is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia next year to take advantage of existing exemption from import tax, excise tax and road tax for CBU electric vehicle. What do you think – will you adopt this on Ioniq 5?
