Beijing show: Toyota’s electric future just got sexier
Toyota has revealed two new production EVs at the Beijing Motor Show, set to go on sale in China “within a year.”
Showcasing the brand’s next generation design language, a BZ3C small/medium coupe-styled crossover SUV and BZ3X five-seat medium/large SUV were unveiled – both based on Toyota’s BZ concepts shown at 2023’s Shanghai Motor Show.
Toyota says the two new EVs are “catering to Chinese customers,” so there’s no confirmation if these 2025-launching cars will become global models. Sadly, no technical details were revealed either.
The EVs have been jointly developed with Toyota’s Chinese partners, and likely use Chinese BYD batteries, but that shouldn’t necessarily rule the vehicles out as global potentials, including for Australia.
We visited the Toyota stand in Beijing to sample the new vehicles first hand, and both look striking – not least when parked next to the relatively plain BZ4X (in Robo Taxi form) – Toyota Australia’s current sole entry into the EV segment.
The BZ3C is a four-door crossover with incredibly sleek rear, 21-inch wheels, out-there red interior and giant central infotainment screen. The car was locked, but the three rear seats looked to offer reasonable legroom, and through the glass fastback tailgate the boot appeared sizeable too.
Its market? At its reveal Toyota said it: “Focuses on features that create a fun personal space for younger Generation Z customers.”
The BZ3X is boxy and tall with super skinny LED headlights; has what appears to be a whopping 15-inch central touchscreen, and offers superb rear leg and head room with a perfectly flat floor. It’s roughly RAV4 sized, so this luxury appointed SUV could tread on the toes of the BZ4X already on our market.
Premium interior of the 2025 BZ3X reveals a giant central touchscreen and floating centre console
At its unveiling, Toyota said: “This family-oriented SUV-type BEV offers a large interior space based on the concept of providing a mobile ‘Cozy Home.'” Lovely.
Also on show was the BZ “Satisfied Space Concept” – no details on this sleek-looking four-door grand tourer concept with no door handles and tiny mirrors, but if Toyota’s design language heads in this direction for its future EVs, bring it on.
Toyota’s BZ “Satisfied Space Concept” showcases Toyota’s future design language
Last year Toyota Australia said it planned to launch three EVs by 2026. The BZ4X is already here, so could something along these cars’ lines be potentials?
