Toyota, plugging into more than a quarter of a century of hybrid power, has finally given ICE (internal combustion engine) the slip with the introduction of its first full electric driven car, the bZ4X sports utility vehicle.
The 100 per cent pure electric car uses a battery only for power, forgoing other forms of traction such as petrol/electric, or plug-in electric systems and, according to Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice-president sales, marketing and franchise operations, represents an important step in the company’s new-found eclectic approach to electrification that includes a range of technology.
The new BEV is the first vehicle to use the company’s e-TNGA platform designed for a new range of electric vehicles and integrates the battery and motor generator into the vehicle’s structure providing extra rigidity and a low centre of gravity for stable driving dynamics.
The bZ4X comes in front- or all-wheel drive priced from $66,000 or $74,900, plus on-road costs, respectively. Both run the latest generation Toyota multimedia technology and safety systems.
The FWD range is a claimed 535km at 128Wh/km, while the more powerful all-wheel drive range is 485km at 141Wh/km.
The bZ4X is covered by Toyota Warranty Advantage, which offers up to five years unlimited kilometre coverage extending to seven-years on motor and driveline with log-book services. Toyota also offers capped-price servicing for the first five years/75,000km with each 12-month/15,000km service costing $180.
STYLING
The bZ4X is the first model in Australia to display Toyota’s distinctive ‘hammerhead’ frontal design where the bonnet surface continues to the nose and extends to each corner. The AWD bZ4X brings a higher level of standard design features, including a roof spoiler, fixed panoramic roof, roof rails and a gloss black bonnet accent.
INTERIOR
Inside, the bZ4X makes the most of the improved passenger space afforded by the e-TNGA platform, benefiting visibility, passenger and cargo space, practicality and comfort.
The platform allows the wheels to be pushed outward at the front and rear, leaving more room for passengers, and benchmark off-road SUV capability. It also allows for impressive aerodynamic efficiency. The centre spot suffers from a curved roof-line.
AWD interiors gain Premium SofTex seat trim, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, driver’s seat memory function and a kick sensor for the power tailgate.
Luggage space extends from 410 to 441 litres depending on the number of seats in use.
A puncture kit is the only in-situ solution to a flat tyre.
The front passenger is left wanting by the absence of a dash-mounted glovebox. Toyota admits it had to choose between fitting a glovebox or a more efficient, radiator-style heater beneath the dashboard. The latter won out.
Dual cupholders are to hand at the base of the central tunnel, and there’s a generous space below. There’s also a deep bin under the padded central armrest.
INFOTAINMENT
The latest Toyota multimedia technology finds a home in a 12.3-inch touchscreen, as does wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. ‘Hey, Toyota’ summons up enhanced voice control of various vehicle systems.
Augmenting the functions is the latest Toyota Connected Services, including a smartphone app with charge station locators, and charge management, plus over-the- air updates, satellite navigation and live traffic information. This app comes complimentary for 12 months.
AWD variants also boast a JBL premium sound system and Qi-compatible 10W wireless charger.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
While the FWD model features a front-mounted e-Axle that combines the transaxle, motor, and inverter into an integrated, compact unit that produces outputs of up to 150kW and 266Nm, the AWD model uses front and rear 80kW e-Axles with maximum combined outputs of 160kW and 337Nm.
Providing the electrical energy is a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery that has been rigorously tested for 20 days before being fitted.
SAFETY
The latest Toyota Safety Sense suite encompasses an array of technology within the BEV structure, which is designed to protect, passengers, battery, plus other vehicles and pedestrians.
A pre-collision function can detect vehicles, motorcycles, cyclists (in daylight) and pedestrians, including at intersections. Other features include emergency steering assist, lane trace assist, emergency driving stop, road sign assist, lane trace assist, (speed signs) and parking support brake. Also on board are active cruise control and seven airbags.
AWD safety is enhanced by driver monitor, blind spot monitor, safe exit assist, intelligent parking assist and panoramic view monitor.
DRIVING
Toyota has made a promising start to its ‘full monty’ electric power vehicle range with the bZ4X. No bitumen burner off the mark, there is enough power to push the car spritely, especially at higher speeds.
The suspension tuning provides a good balance between ride and handling, but the 20-inch wheels and low-profile tyres fail to deal well with every road surface blemish and present quite intrusive road noise in the cabin. Steering can be on the stiff side but the brakes move between the regenerative and conventional systems disc brakes with nary a change.
The test car trip computer recorded energy (fuel) consumption of 17.4kWh/100km in the city and suburbs, and 21kWh/100km on the motorway. One-pedal mode does not bring the car to a full stop by simply lifting off the accelerator pedal as on some rivals, but is meant just to increase the amount of regenerative braking,
As for charging, the maker puts an approximate DC charge time of 30 minutes from ten to 80 per cent; and about seven hours for AC charge. The test car went from 30 to 90 per cent in just over 30 minutes on a public fast charger.
Off road the AWD and 212mm ground clearance are augmented by X-Mode optimising traction for Snow/Dirt, or Deep Snow/Mud conditions and incorporates Crawl Control and Downhill Assist Control.
SUMMARY
Sorry, but bZ4X says little about the rise of a new electric era. We are told BZ is short for Beyond Zero, Toyota’s new electric-car sub-brand, with ‘4’ representing its size class, and X designating a ‘crossover’ SUV body. Maybe a more memorable moniker for Toyota’s first all-electric car would have been Eos, the Greek goddess of the dawn, but VW has already bagsed that.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 7
Safety – 7
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 6
Tech – 8
Value – 7
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Toyota bZ4X FWD $66,000
Toyota bZ4X AWD $74,900
Options:
Premium paint: $575
Two-tone roof (AWD): $1350
Note: These prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your Toyota local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Toyota bZ4X BEV,1sp auto AWD SUV
ENGINE
Electric motor: Front and rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motors
Maximum power 80kW/80kW 160kW total)
Maximum torque: 168.5Nm/168.5Nm (337Nm total)
Maximum voltage: 350V
Maximum current: 306A
DRIVELINE: Front and rear e-Axle single-speed 13.786:1 ratio transaxles with equal-length driveshafts, AWD
BATTERY: Lithium ion
Overall voltage: 355.2V
Maximum output: 900A
Maximum input: 400A
PERFORMANCE:
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 6.9 sec
Driving range: 485km
Energy consumption: 181.1kW/km
CHARGING:
DC capacity: 150kW
Approx DC charge time: 30min (10-80pc)
DC connector: DCS2
AC capacity: 11kW
Approx AC charge time: 7hr
AC connector: Type2
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 5235mm
Width: 1790mm
Height: 1650mm
Wheelbase: 2850mm:
Turning circle: 11.2m
Kerb weight: 2055kg
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years / unlimited kilometres
Seven-years, motor and driveline with log-book services
