TOYOTA BZ4X TOP 66.7 kWh 2WD

Toyota bZ4X – elegant futurism

Toyota bZ4X - an urban electric crossover - was presented in April 2021 at the Guangzhou Auto Show as a concept. Serial production began in mid-2022. The abbreviation for electric vehicle stands for:

• bZ – beyond Zero (for zero emissions of harmful substances);
• 4 – the index indicates the same weight and size characteristics as the Toyota RAV4;
• X - the index indicates the type of electric vehicle - a compact crossover.

Appearance

The exterior of the Toyota bZ4X crossover combines an ultra-modern aerodynamic body and the charisma of a powerful SUV. To improve the aerodynamic qualities of the body, special holes are made in the corners of the front bumper. Also enhancing aerodynamics are the fully enclosed underbody, split roof spoiler and ducktail rear spoiler.

Like many other electric vehicles, the Toyota bZ4X lacks a radiator grille. Instead, there is a solid metal sheet, with a small decorative grille attached to the bottom. The streamlined shape of the bumper cuts the oncoming wind to the right and left and down. Through the side openings, the air flow is directed into the wheel arches and then along the side doors. Through the decorative grille, the wind flow falls under the bottom of the electric vehicle and lifts it above the road. But a lower center of gravity, together with increased rigidity of the body's power structures, increased the driving performance of the electric vehicle and improved its handling at high speeds.

Wheel arches in all colors are made in matte black. These arches add great contrast to the exterior of the crossover, especially if the main color of the electric vehicle is white.

All optics are LED. The main optics are made in the form of a predator's squint. The narrow main headlight contains four LED lights, responsible for high and low beams and turn signals. Already in the basic version, light sensors, daytime running lights, headlight height adjustment and automatic switching from high to low beam are available.

Visually, the rear lights are located immediately from the rear window. The right and left brake lights are segmented and connected to each other by a continuous light strip. On the sides of the rear bumper there are two red marker lamps.

Interior

The interior is upholstered in high-quality eco-leather. It is very spacious. There is enough space above the head of a person 180 cm tall. The door is upholstered with plastic panels, the front panel is decorated, in addition to plastic, with fabric and metal inserts. This creates the feeling of being not in the interior of an electric car, but in a cozy living room.

This feeling is enhanced by very comfortable and soft chairs. They can be completely upholstered in eco-leather or only the sides can be upholstered in eco-leather, while the central part and back are upholstered in synthetic perforated Sentetec fabric. This fabric improves ventilation and seat heating.

The multifunction steering wheel with eco-leather upholstery allows you to control important electric vehicle systems and the multimedia system. It is adjustable in height and reach. In the two top trim levels it has a heating function. A little later, the Toyota concern will offer as an additional option the installation of a sports steering wheel, which will have no upper part. Without the top part, the steering wheel will not interfere with your view of the instrument panel.

The 7-inch instrument panel in the Toyota bZ4X is completely digital. It displays all important information about the movement and condition of the electric vehicle. This is speed, actual energy consumption by the engine, dynamic navigation system, reflection of road signs. The instrument panel also displays time, air temperature, etc.

In the basic configuration, the size of the touch screen of the multimedia system. The touch matrix is ​​very sensitive. The driver requires a minimum of time to set up the multimedia system. Under the screen there are mechanical buttons for climate control, adjustment of airflow force and degree of seat cooling.

The multimedia system supports an interactive navigation system, allows you to control the JBL audio system, Internet services from Apple and Android.

Options

The Toyota bZ4X is supplied to the European market in three trim levels:

• Luxury;
• Executive;
• Premium.

In the Luxury package, the electric crossover received 18-inch wheels, an intelligent interior access system, a rear view camera, an 8-inch multimedia system screen, proprietary cloud navigation, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, and a windshield de-icer.

In the Executive package, the electric crossover additionally received tinted glass on the rear door, an electric drive on the tailgate, an adaptive high beam system, a 12.3-inch screen for the multimedia system, and a wireless charger for smartphones.

In the Premium configuration, the electric crossover additionally received 20-inch wheels, a panoramic transparent roof, a driver monitoring camera integrated into the collision avoidance system, blind spot monitoring (BSM), the proprietary Toyota Teammate Advanced Park parking system, a safe exit system, and a premium Audi. speakers, Hands-free tailgate closing function.

Main technical characteristics

Toyota bZ4X is built on the e-TNGA platform. It standardized and reduced costs in car production. In addition, the platform increased the rigidity of the body's power structure and distributed weight more balanced between the front and rear axles.

Weight and dimensions characteristics of the electric crossover:

• length – 4.69 meters;
• width – 1.86 meters;
• height – 1.65 meters;
• wheelbase length – 2.85 meters;
• curb weight – 1865 kg.

MacPherson strut suspension is installed on the front axle, and multi-link independent suspension is installed on the rear axle. Ventilated disc brakes are installed on both axles. On all trim levels, the electric crossover is equipped with alloy wheels with five double spokes. The two basic trim levels are equipped with 235/60 R18 tires, and the top trim level is equipped with 235/50 R20 tires.

Engine and battery

In the basic configuration, the Toyota bZ4X crossover received a 150 kW electric motor, creating a maximum torque of 266 Nm. In the two top trim levels, the electric car is equipped with a 160 kW engine, creating a maximum torque of 337 Nm.

In all trim levels, the Toyota bZ4X is equipped with a battery with a net capacity of 64 kWh. (The net capacity or net capacity of a battery is the amount of electricity that can be used when driving under normal conditions). The gross capacity of this battery, or its total capacity, is 71.4 kW. The difference of 7.4 kW protects the battery from deep discharge or overcharging. The battery from a household network (slow charging) is fully charged in 6.5 hours; at fast charging stations from DC, the battery restores 80% of its charge in 30 minutes. The hatch with connectors for fast and slow charging is located in front, near the wheel arch on the driver's door.

In the basic configuration, the Toyota bZ4X crossover is front-wheel drive. With one engine, the electric car will travel from 436 to 514 km without recharging. In two top trim levels, the Toyota bZ4X crossover is all-wheel drive. It has a separate motor installed on each axis. With two engines, the electric car in the Executive configuration will travel from 411 to 462 km, and in the Premium configuration – from 411 to 416 km. The difference in range between the Executive and Premium trim levels is that the top trim level has more energy-intensive equipment installed on the electric car.

Comfort level

In all trim levels, the Toyota bZ4X electric crossover is equipped with:

• automatic air conditioning;
• separate climate control for driver and passenger;
• central locking and its remote control;
• keyless engine start function;
• adaptive cruise control with autonomy level L2.

Security level

In all trim levels, the Toyota bZ4X crossover is equipped with the following electronic security systems:

• front and rear parking sensors;
• rear view camera or monitoring of the surrounding area (360 degree view);
• tire pressure monitoring;
• anti-lock braking system (ABS);
• brake force distribution (EBD);
• Brake Assist;
• traction control system (TCS);
• stabilization system (ESP);
• active braking system;
• lift assist system.

In top trim levels, the electric car additionally has hill descent assist, blind spot monitoring and automatic parallel parking systems.

The following passive safety equipment is installed in the cabin:

• front airbags for driver and passenger;
• front side airbags;
• front and rear curtain airbags;
• knee airbags;
• Isofix child seats.

Unlike most electric vehicles with all-wheel drive, the Toyota bZ4X has a special off-road driving mode - X-Mode. The on-board computer will independently select the driving mode depending on which path the crossover with all-wheel drive is moving. If there is snow and mud under the wheels, the on-board computer will forcibly reduce the speed to 20 km/h. When the speed decreases to 10 km/h. The on-board computer will turn on the Grip Control function, which will significantly improve the quality of tire grip on the ground.

The Toyota bZ4X is equipped with the proprietary Toyota Safety Sense safety system, which is regularly updated via a wireless network. This security system is enabled:

• proprietary blind spot monitoring technology will alert the driver to any vehicles they are unable to see;
• recognition of pedestrians at night;
• frontal collision warning with forced braking;
• warning about unintentional crossing of road markings;

Conclusions

Toyota bZ4X is a tangible embodiment of how Toyota cars will look in the near future. It is an aggressive, aerodynamic and elegant exterior at the same time. The salon is as comfortable and cozy as possible, but without unnecessary frills.

The engineers of the Japanese concern attracted a lot of attention to the technical capabilities of the urban crossover. This electric car is equipped with some of the best electric motors and a battery with charging from direct and alternating current.

The Toyota bZ4X is a car that will not lose its technical excellence over the next decade.