Toyota reveals production bZ4X - the company's first purpose-built electric vehicle

• The bZ4X is the first model in Toyota’s bZ — Beyond Zero — sub-brand

• The e-TNGA dedicated EV architecture underpins the bZ4X

• A 71.4 kWh Lithium ion battery delivers a 450 km (280 mile) WLTP driving range

• The bZ4X will be able to replenish 80 percent battery capacity in 30 minutes thanks to 150 kW DC charging

• The single 150 kW front-motor front wheel drive setup produces 150 kW and 265 Nm; an all wheel drive variant will produce 162 kW and 336 Nm

• Toyota expects European deliveries to commence in Q1 2022

Here it is. The first all-electric vehicle from Toyota, the company that pioneered hybrid vehicle technology, yet also publicly spread anti-EV sentiments via corporate communications, and the company’s CEO.

But I digress.

The Toyota bZ4X is the company’s first real shot at producing a global battery electric vehicle on a new platform dubbed e-TNGA, which will also underpin future models from Subaru, Daihatsu and Suzuki. Subaru was also heavily involved in the all wheel drive development according to the media release.

Available in a single 71.4 kWh battery variant, customers will have a choice of a front wheel drive, front-mounted motor setup with 150 kW of power and 265 Nm or torque, or an all wheel drive variant producing 162 kW of power and 336 Nm of torque.

Toyota claims a maximum WLTP combined range of 450 km (280 miles); expect an EPA rating of around 10 percent less.

Toyota bZ4X Image Gallery

Toyota bZ4X exterior design

Two dimensional images never provide justice to a vehicle’s design, however the bZ4X — while certainly contemporary — somehow manages to be a little underwhelming on the outside in my view. There’s certainly a lot going on; a contrasting paint colour on the roof, and plenty of black plastic around the wheel arches, as well as some heavy surface sculpting all over (Chris Bangle eat your heart out). It is reminiscent of the chunky Polestar 2, without the elegance or purposefulness. There are some familiar Toyota design tropes, with the front end being particularly “on-brand”, and the rear design being reminiscent of other Toyota SUVs but overall, it isn’t a design that excites us.

Toyota bZ4X Interior features

Wait…what happened to the steering wheel? In a nod to Tesla’s Model S Plaid, it appears an aircraft-style yoke will be optionally available on the bZ4X, to complement a steer-by-wire system. Unlike Tesla, Toyota claims there will be no need for hand-over-hand turning, with full-lock achieved with a 150-degree turn of the wheel.

Toyota is taking inspiration for the interior design from the Scandinavians, stating that the Swedish word to express that something is “just right — “lagom” – forms the basis for the bZ4X’s cockpit design. The interior does seem to be a bit of a busy button-fest though, with the steering wheel covered in too many to count. Perhaps Toyota could have taken inspiration from the Volvo XC40, Polestar 2, or even Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 when it comes to interior minimalism.

Toyota states that the long wheelbase provided by the e-TNGA platform allows for class leading legroom, as well as a one-metre distance between front and rear passenger hip points. Rear cargo capacity is a useful 452 litres, but no word on whether there is practical underfloor storage like in Tesla’s Model 3, or a frunk.

With the Lexus UX300e launching in Australia this month, its great to see Toyota Motor Corporation getting on the BEV bandwagon. While the Lexus is hampered by older battery technology without liquid cooling and slow charging, the 150 kW maximum speed of charging for the bZ4X should appeal to customers, replenishing 80 percent charge in 30 minutes.

The bZ4X will make its European debut on December 2 ahead of Q1 2022 customer deliveries.

Subaru announces the all electric Solterra SUV, on sale from 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere

Subaru’s Solterra will be available in the Northern Hemisphere in 2022. Images: Subaru USA

Subaru’s all-electric SUV will be named Solterra.

Subaru’s planned fully-electric SUV now has a name — Solterra — and it is based on a platform co-developed with Toyota. Subaru names the architecture the e-Subaru Global Platform, whereas over in Toyota City, it’s known as the e-TNGA platform and underpins the BZ4X Concept.

We know little of the technical specifications at this stage (much like the BZ4X), however Subaru and Toyota have confirmed both vehicles will be fitted with all wheel drive as standard.

The name Solterra was born from the latin words for “Sun” and “Earth” to represent Subaru’s commitment to “delivering traditional SUV capabilities in an environmentally responsible package”. The company has yet to comment on whether this means that the manufacturing process is carbon neutral, or that the car contains recycled/planet-friendly components.

Subaru promises to increase electrified model range

This is the first in a series of battery-electric models from the automaker, as Subaru targets an electric-ish future with plans for the early 2030s to “apply electrification technologies to all Subaru vehicles sold worldwide”. According to the fine print accompanying this statement, Subaru is referring to fully electric as well as petrol hybrid technologies.

Let’s hope the Solterra also represents a new design direction for the company; the last few years have — in our opinion — shown a decline in Subaru’s design direction, with a number of derivative, unremarkable vehicles coming out of their design studio. Hyundai has certainly laid out a challenge with the bold Ioniq 5, and Audi’s Q4 brings a sharp, contemporary style to the traditional SUV silhouette.

The Solterra is scheduled to go on sale in Northern Hemisphere markets initially, reaching Canada, the US, China, Japan and Europe sometime in 2022. The Driven has confirmed that Subaru Australia has no plans to release the Solterra in the short term.

Source: Subaru USA