Toyota presents the production version of its first electric car, the bZ4X

After presenting last April A prototype that left us with very good feelings, the Japanese manufacturer has just revealed all the details that we were eager to know about the final production version of the bZ4X that will hit the streets.

This new electric car from Toyota will be just the first model in the bZ family (beyond Zero) that we will see in the coming years. Between now and 2025, the Japanese manufacturer intends to put on the market seven models belonging to this new family, developed from scratch to have an electric propulsion system.

The bZ4X is an SUV of similar dimensions to the RAV4, which uses the new e-TNGA platform that Toyota has developed together with Subaru for its electric models. This platform allows the battery pack to be placed as an integral part of the chassis, thus providing several advantages. Toyota claims that the low centre of gravity, weight balance and greater rigidity of the entire vehicle structure, thanks to the use of this platform, provide greater safety, stability and driving comfort.

Two versions of the Toyota bZ4X to choose from. Which one do you prefer?

Toyota's new electric SUV will be available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, all of which will be equipped with a liquid-cooled battery with a capacity of 71.4 kWhThe front-wheel drive version will be equipped with a 150 kW engine with 265 Nm of torque, which will allow it to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 8.4 seconds, according to the manufacturer. It will also offer a top speed electronically limited to 160 km/h.

The all-wheel drive version will be equipped with two 80 kW motors, one on each axle, which will allow it to enjoy a combined power of 160 kW and a torque of 336 Nm. This version will reduce the time required to reach 100 km/h from a standstill, stopping the clock at 7.7 secondsIts top speed will be the same as that of the front-wheel drive version.

As far as range is concerned, Toyota claims the front-wheel drive version will be able to travel More than 450 km on a single charge, based on the WLTP homologation cycle. The Japanese manufacturer has not given details about the autonomy of the all-wheel drive version, but we can imagine that it will be slightly less than the 450 km announced for the front-wheel drive version.

Toyota has, however, made reference to the expected degradation of the bZ4X battery over time. According to the manufacturer, the owners of this new electric SUV should not worry about this problem that affects all electric vehicles, since they will only experience a reduction in around 10 percent of the battery capacity after the first 10 years of vehicle use, or after having traveled more than 240 thousand kilometers. Whichever comes first.

Latest technology

The bZ4X will feature some notable technologies. These include a solar roof capable of partially recharging the vehicle's battery while the vehicle is parked, an advanced set of safety and driver assistance systems, the ability to receive over-the-air (OTA) software updates, as well as revolutionary power steering with a steer by wire which will modify the turning radius of the steering wheel depending on the speed of the vehicle.

The Toyota bZ4X will hit the market globally in the middle of next year; including Europe, the United States, Japan and China. The Japanese manufacturer will present its new electric SUV, exclusively for the European market, on December 2.