Toyota reveals electric bZ compact SUV concept
Toyota has taken covers off its electric bZ Concept compact SUV, looking near production ready and primed to be an EV version of the next-generation C-HR.
Revealed at this month’s Los Angeles Auto Show, the bZ Concept joins the Tesla-fighting bZ3 electric sedan revealed last month and bZ4X electric SUV due on-sale in Australia in 2023.
A new generation of Toyota’s popular C-HR small SUV is expected to arrive around the middle of next year, likely with choice of petrol, hybrid, PHEV and full EV powertrains.
Will this coupe-styled bZ SUV be a standalone product when in production? At the reveal Toyota said it had been designed as a “full battery-electric vehicle, using a clean-vital design approach.”
Much hype, scant details
While showing off the bZ Concept’s striking exterior, there were sadly no details on motors, drive, battery, charging, timing of a production version or potential pricing to provide some meat on the bones.
Instead, we’re given the usual lines from the marketing playbook – fun to drive, exhilarating performance, aerodynamic design, eco-conscious interior materials, intuitive tech features… you get the gist.
The media release even chucks in the classic: “appears as if it’s moving even when it’s standing still,” thanks to “pushing the wheels to the corners to achieve an aggressive stance.”
Looks the goods
Hyperbole aside, the Concept is a good looking, sharp-edged SUV. Plenty of interesting lines, a very sloping rear roof leading into skinny rear LED lights; plus gloss black for its giant bumpers, wheel arch guards, side skirts and roof.
Futuristic blade lighting with LED strip up front, surrounding a shark-like nose, is particularly arresting.
At the LA Show, the in-the-metal concept had prominent (insert authoritarian American voice here) PROTOTYPE, VEHICLE IS LOCKED stickers, but Toyota has released rendered images of the interior.
It’s all rather minimalist but with a pair of wave-like curved screens, yoke steering wheel and what appears to be a slide-adjustable console housing a gear selector and wireless charging pads.
Seats are made from plant-based and recycled materials, while Toyota promises an “in-car personal agent named ‘Yui’ to connect the driver and passengers with the vehicle.”
Globally, Toyota says it plans to expand to around 30 dedicated BEVs, including five carrying the bZ (Beyond Zero) brand moniker, but its latest media release hasn’t suggested a time frame for this.
Reuters recently reported that development of some of the 30 Toyota EV projects has been suspended while a ‘Business Revolution’ group seeks improvements to the existing e-TNGA platform and considers the development of a new EV architecture.
In December last year Toyota announced it would spend $100 billion launching 30 EVs – including a ute – by 2030 under the bZ, Toyota and luxury Lexus badges.
