Toyota’s electric vehicle push is gaining momentum, and the new bZ concept gives us a taste of an expanding line-up.
Toyota’s all-electric transition began with this year’s bZ4X SUV, and now, the firm has unveiled a new crossover concept under its pure-electric bZ moniker. With its compact dimensions and coupe-SUV stance, the latest bZ show car previews what the next addition to the line-up could look like.
The bZ concept appears to be derived from one of the several electric Toyota concept cars that were unveiled last year, and could make production wearing the bZ3X badge.
With its shallow glasshouse, muscular haunches and swooping roofline, the bZ concept is physically smaller than the bZ4X, but could use similar e-TNGA running gear if it hits showrooms. In the bZ4X, buyers can choose from a 150kW front-wheel drive model or a 160kW dual-motor variant, offering 510km and 460km of range respectively. Given its smaller footprint, the new crossover would probably surpass these figures.
The show car’s roofline sweeps down to a squared-off rear end and a full-width tail light bar, which would be possible to bring to production with minor tweaks.
The bZ concept’s interior, however, is less indicative of a potential bZ3X, which could share its infotainment tech with the bZ4X. There’s a rectangular steering wheel and pair of curved screens, with a row of climate controls at the base of the main display. Given the dramatic body style, we don’t expect the bZ3X to be especially roomy, if it does arrive.
Toyota claims that the show car uses a blend of plant-based and recycled materials for its cabin construction, which could feature if a road-going variant is launched. In addition, a voice-activated personal assistant can communicate with passengers through the car’s ambient lighting system. The firm claims that more details of the concept will be revealed in December, which could provide further clues of a production model.
Yousuf Ashraf