Originally unveiled as a prototype at the Shanghai motor show, the bZ4X has finally been unveiled as a full production road-legal vehicle by Toyota which becomes its first EV after years of resistance towards adopting the electric powertrain. It is the first Toyota to use a dedicated battery electric vehicle platform which is why it is being considered as its first EV.
The bZ moniker standards for beyond zero which is part of its electrification strategy and also its new sub-brand for EVs. From the concept, the car hasn't changed much and it retains its hyper-aggressive design which is rather bold for a clinical Toyota.
It has improved the yoke steering on the Tesla with its own wing style steering
Toyota is also promising some impressive specs so this is not a half-hearted effort from one of the biggest carmakers in the world. There is a 71.4 kWh battery which promises around 500 km of range for the front-wheel-drive model and around 460 km of range on the all-wheel-drive model.
Interestingly, the front-wheel-drive model gets a single 150 kW motor while the all-wheel-drive models get 80 kW motors on each axle. It also gets fast charging technology and can do 0-80 percent in 30 minutes.
It is mostly a mass-market play and a mid-range SUV. But uniquely, Toyota also provides an optional solar roof that according to Toyota generates 1,800 km of range per year.
It even improves some of Tesla's innovations like the "yoke" steering wheel with a wing-shaped steering wheel that has a lock-to-lock set at around 150 degrees. The car is expected to launch in Japan in mid-2022.
