Toyotadebuts the bZ concept – beyond Zero, or beyond zero – with the bZ4X, the first model in a new series of vehicles 100% electric and the first electric model developed entirely by Toyota. It is also the first vehicle built on the company’s new electric-specific platform, developed in collaboration with Subaru.
The bZ4X it’s a Electric SUV comfortable and spacious, available with an all-wheel drive system that provides great off-road performance, with independent electric motors for each axis. Its clean and elegant exterior design reflects both its advanced qualities andelectric vehicle like its SUV condition, and debuts a new distinctive front shape, which conveys the firm presence of the new bZ4x.
High performance
It also provides a five-seater passenger compartment, bright and spacious, thanks to the long wheelbase, plus a generous trunk with 452 liters capacity. One of the most striking elements in the interior is the extremely slim and lower-positioned instrument panel, which enhances the feeling of spaciousness and the driver’s visibility. The principle of ‘eyes on the road, hands on the wheel’ is reinforced with the driver-centered cabin, in which a 7 ” informative TFT screen It sits directly in front of you, in your line of sight, above the edge of the steering wheel, so you can see the gauges with hardly moving your eyes.
The incorporation of the battery as an integral part of the chassiss, under the floor, offers key benefits, such as a low center of gravity, excellent balance between the front and rear axles and high body rigidity, resulting in safety, ride comfort and a responsive feel. outstanding driving.
Toyota has leveraged its more than 25 years of experience in electrified vehicle technologies to ensure that the lithium-ion battery that powers the bZ4X has high levels of quality, durability and reliability. Even after ten years of use, the battery is expected to still operate at 90% of its original capacity — a target during development; it is calculated based on a 10-year period of use or a mileage of 240,000 km, whichever comes first.
The brand advances that with the 71.4 kWh battery fully charged, the autonomy exceeds 450 km. Once discharged, it can be charged to 80% in about 30 minutes with a c system.150 kW fast harness. This model will have an 11 kW three-phase charger on board.
The bZ4X will also offer advanced technology features, such as a rooftop solar panel to help charge the battery while driving or parked, and the third generation Toyota Safety Sense system, with new and improved safety and driver assistance features.
The front-wheel drive bZ4X mounts a 150 kW electric motor with a great response. Build 204 CV and 265 Nm from, which helps you accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 8.4 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 160 km / h. The all-wheel drive model generates a maximum power of 217.5 hp, with 336 Nm of torque, the same top speed and a slightly lower 0-100 km / h: 7.7 seconds – all performance figures are provisional until homologation. .
The system offers the option of single pedal driving, which enhances energy regeneration when braking and allows the driver to accelerate and slow down the vehicle using only the accelerator pedal.
Authentic off-road
Toyota has collaborated with Subaru, a development partner on this project, to design a new all-wheel drive systemfor vehicles, based on the extensive experience in all-wheel drive of both companies. The result is greater safety when driving in difficult conditions, and gives the bZ4X the capability of a true all-rounder, a leader in the electric SUV category.
The all-wheel drive model has independent 80 kW motors on the front and rear axles. You can also opt for the XMODE function, with different driving modes, to better adapt to the circumstances with settings for snow / mud, thick snow and mud – below 20 km / h – and grip control for tougher off-road driving – below 10 km / h—.
In addition, the bZ4X will be the first production Toyota model to offer the steering-by-wire system —One Motion Grip—, whose introduction in Europe is planned for later. This electronic system dispenses with the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels, and adjusts the angle of the tires precisely according to the driver’s intention. In addition, it leaves more space for the legs, which gives more freedom to the driving position and makes entry and exit easier. The traditional steering wheel is replaced by the One Motion Grip control, whose operation is much easier and more fluid, without the need to cross your arms when turning. Thus, you can go from top to bottom just by turning 150 degrees.
Since the system does not have physical connections, possible vibrations of the tires in the direction are suppressed, but the driver can still feel sensations such as the irregularities of the road on which it is driven. Steering feel is enhanced by independent steering wheel control. In addition, its characteristics can be modified depending on the selected driving mode.
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.