Toyota has released details about the BZ4X electric compact SUV. It includes an optional solar roof as well as a steering yoke that is similar to the one in the Tesla Model S.
Toyota calls the steering yoke a wing-shape. It uses a steer-by wire system that eliminates mechanical connections between tires and steering wheel. The steering yoke can only turn 150 degrees side to side, and drivers don't have to take their hands off. The company claims this will reduce the need to adjust grips while steering. This, in turn, will make U-turns much easier.
Toyota introduced the BZ4X at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year, alongside an electric vehicle strategy that will see 15 new battery-electric cars released by the company by 2025.
Only 150 degrees must be turned from side to side by the yoke
It will build the BZ4X on a platform it created in collaboration with Subaru, a Japanese automaker. Subaru is owned by Toyota. The e-TNGA platform will allow for several characteristics such as a steer-by wire system, all-wheel drive and improved visibility. It also has a regenerative braking mechanism that is common to electric vehicles. Toyota stated that the BZ4X will be available worldwide by 2022. Subaru may be developing its own electric vehicles based on the eTNGA platform.
Grid View
For those who don't want to go full yoke, the BZ4X also comes with a standard steering system and wheel. Consumer Reports has expressed concern about the Model S yoke, claiming it can make driving difficult.
Toyota claims that the unique instrument cluster in the interior of the car improves driver visibility. The screen is set back from the steering wheel. It appears that the central infotainment screen is floating above the dash, rather than embedded within it. Toyota has not yet fully adopted the digital user experience as companies like Tesla, and there are many buttons on the center console and the steering wheel.
Toyota's designers borrowed some ideas from the hammerhead Shark when designing the exterior of the BZ4X. It retains the same shape as a Toyota RAV4 and is approximately the same size.
Toyota's designers were inspired by the hammerhead shark to design the exterior of the BZ4Xs.
The vehicle will be equipped with two powertrains, a front-wheel-drive of 201 horsepower and an all-wheel drive of 215hp. These will provide estimated ranges between 310 and 286 miles per battery, respectively. These estimates are based upon the global WLTC rating which tends be higher than the EPAs estimates. A 71.4kWh battery pack is included in the vehicle, which is comparable to the Volkswagen ID 4 or the Nissan Ariya in terms energy capacity.
Other options include a solar roof, which Toyota claims can produce electricity equivalent to 1,800km per year. This is similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ford F-150 Lightning.
Toyota has not yet said whether the electric SUV will be available in the US, but it is expected that it will land in Japan first in mid-2022. In the coming months, more details on pricing and production will be available.
This news follows Toyota's announcement of a $13.6 billion investment in battery technology over the next decade. It also includes a $9 billion investment to produce its vehicles. Although it was a pioneer in the development of gas-electric hybrid vehicles with the Prius, the company reportedly considered hybrids a temporary solution until the hydrogen fuel cells became more competitive. The company now has to catch up with Nissan and lobby to slow the US's transition to electric cars.
