The aim was to "ride with confidence" EV

The "bZ4X" is a pure EV (electric vehicle) that Toyota is fully prepared to bring to the world. Toyota has a track record of selling EVs in the North American market, but they were only produced in small quantities. Therefore, the bZ4X can be said to be the first mass-produced EV under the Toyota brand. [Image] A photo of the Toyota "bZ4X" proto that opens up a new era for electric vehicles (36 photos)

The bZ4X, the first mass-produced EV under the Toyota brand, has been developed with a focus on "safe riding" even when switching from conventional engine cars and hybrid cars.Toyota's new challenge of democratizing electric vehicles has begun

Such bZ4X is scheduled to debut in the middle of 2022. Some people say, "Isn't it late for the trend toward EVs?" Regarding the timing, but I don't think so. Because the EV market isn't hot yet. In 2021, about 4 million EVs were sold worldwide, which is only about 5% of the total vehicle production. Even if Toyota does not launch a new model in such a small market, it may be too aggressive to say that it is slow to move toward EVs. Toyota, which was the first in the world to commercialize a hybrid car, has a wealth of technology and know-how related to electric vehicles, from batteries to control systems. In other words, Toyota is not "can't make an EV", it just waits for the market to accept EVs. The key to accurately evaluating the Toyota brand's first pure EV is such market trends. In fact, the bZ4X has been developed with a focus on "safe riding" for people who have switched from conventional engine cars and hybrid cars in terms of both performance and usability. This high degree of perfection in all directions is likely to be the driving force for a gradual EV shift.

Although it has an orthodox SUV look as an EV, it has a stronger presence by arranging accented details.

The bZ4X adopts the SUV style, as is the case with many of the EVs that major automakers have launched. With a total length of 4690 mm, a total width of 1860 mm, and a total height of 1600 mm, the three sizes are 95 mm longer, 20 mm wider, and 60 mm lower than the company's popular SUV "RAV4." In addition, the wheelbase is 160mm longer than the RAV4, so the proportions when viewed from the side are really relaxed. FWD and 4WD are available as the drive system for such bZ4X. The former is a twin motor specification that drives the front wheels with a 150kW motor, and the latter is a combination of an 80kW front motor and an 80kW rear motor. The cruising range per charge is expected to be around 500km for FWD vehicles and around 460km for 4WD vehicles. It is generally said that EVs become more practical when the cruising range exceeds 400km, and the occupants feel more secure when the cruising range exceeds 500km. The bZ4X also ensures the performance of "riding with peace of mind" in this respect as well. Toyota's seriousness toward EV can also be seen from the platform. After all, with the birth of the bZ4X, we have newly developed an EV-dedicated platform called "e-TNGA". The area where the battery case does not overhang on the bottom of the car body while mounting a large battery and the floor is flattened is a gift unique to the EV-only design. By the way, e-TNGA is said to be able to set three types of wheelbases. Since it is possible to further lower the vehicle height, I am still interested in what kind of vehicle the second and third Toyota EVs will be.