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Toyota bZ4X in the test: electric SUV in the test

2022-02-24T07:23:05.777Z


Toyota has long relied on hydrogen instead of batteries, with limited success. The Japanese are now slightly bashful in presenting their first fully electric car, the bZ4X. When it comes to the battery, however, they are self-confident.


Enlarge image

Photo: Toyota

The first impression:

Most manufacturers rely on smooth aerodynamic design for e-cars, while Toyota uses edges for the bZ4X.

That doesn't look particularly futuristic, though, more like a reissue of the RAV-4.

That's what the manufacturer says:

Toyota has been strangers to the purely electric drive for a long time.

The Japanese brought out the hybrid drive a long time ago.

However, Toyota has resisted replacing the petrol tank entirely with batteries.

It was always said that this was neither efficient nor really sustainable or cheap.

While Tesla was growing and VW, Hyundai and Kia were upgrading their e-cars, for Toyota even the plug-in hybrid version of the Prius was a concession to the zeitgeist.

At the end of last year, however, company boss Akio Toyoda announced a radical change of course.

30 purely electric cars are planned, and Toyota intends to sell 3.5 million zero-emission vehicles per year by 2030.

But Toyota is not in it with all its heart.

The company speaks of the “power of choice” and intends to continue offering plug-in models and fuel cell cars, as well as combustion cars in Europe by 2035.

In addition, Erik Gustaffson, manager at Toyota's European headquarters in Brussels, admits that the bZ4X is also a political statement and is not being produced because of demand pressure.

"There are simply markets in which we would otherwise no longer have a say," says Gustafsson, referring to Norway, the Netherlands and also Germany.

A look at the sales forecast also shows the subordinate role played by the bZ4X.

Toyota plans to sell 16,000 units in Europe this year and 35,000 next year.

That is little compared to the plans of VW, Skoda, or Hyundai and Kia, as well as the rest of Toyota's European sales - which is around one million cars per year.

But what should you expect from a car that also has such a cryptic name?

What sounds like project code at least makes sense.

The bZ stands for beyond Zero (beyond zero [emissions]) and should become its own brand, like ID at VW, EQ at Mercedes or e-tron at Audi.

The number 4 stands for the vehicle class and leaves room for small models of category 1, 2 or 3 and for larger models with a number 5 and more.

It gets interesting with the X. That signals four-wheel drive and points to the character.

There are off-road programs, ground clearance and wading depth for the four driven wheels.

Not that many SUV drivers actually cruise through rivers or scramble over rocks – but if they felt like it, this electric car would fit, as evidenced by the test track's obstacle course.

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We noticed that:

The bZ4X looks like an update of the RAV-4, many things seem pleasantly familiar.

The wide screen above the center console is slightly larger, the small display behind the steering wheel is pushed far forward, making a head-up display unnecessary.

However, the wall-like console between the seats is unusual.

What a difference to the airy impression that competitors like the VW ID.4 or the Tesla Model Y give.

Bad for everyone who likes to sit in the car with their legs apart or who is looking for physical contact with the passenger.

On the other hand, the central storage space is also needed because there is no glove compartment.

The air conditioning system is installed in its place.

Toyota still has a surprise in store: a few months after its market launch, the bZ4X has a so-called steer-by-wire system without a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels for the first time.

In addition, these models get square tax, as known from the facelift of the Tesla Model S.

With its silent drive, the bZ4X glides rather than drives.

He quickly pulls away from the spot and wipes past the vehicle in front when overtaking in no time.

However, the modest top speed of 160 km/h doesn't really fit in - at least if you take the old car world as a benchmark.

In the new, electric VW handles it the same way.

The biggest difference to conventional SUVs like the RAV-4 in the bZ4X is felt in the back benches.

Like all vehicles designed specifically as electric cars, Toyota's first Stromer uses a skateboard architecture with axles pushed far outwards.

This increases the wheelbase and means a lot of legroom in the rear.

more on the subject

Buying a car in the climate crisis: Is now the right moment to switch to electric? By Felix Wadewitz

You have to know that:

The bZ4X, which will be available in June with prices starting at 47,490 euros, is the first of seven pure electric cars that Toyota wants to bring to this platform - and that's not counting the variants of the sister brands Lexus and Subaru .

The platform was developed around the drive, like the modular electrical kit from the VW Group or the e-architecture at Hyundai and Kia.

Energy density, battery voltage and charging capacity correspond to the usual standard.

The 30 minutes loading time for the first 80 percent is above average.

Charging supports an optional solar roof.

Depending on the weather and parking situation, this adds up to 1,800 kilometers a year.

At one point, the experience that Toyota has made with the Prius in more than twenty years with the electric drive shines through.

“No other manufacturer stands by their batteries for so long,” says Gustafsson.

After ten years or a million kilometers, it still promises a capacity of 70 percent of the initially net 71 kWh, with which Toyota expects a range of a good 450 kilometers.

Two versions are offered: The basic model drives as a front-wheel drive with a 150 kW engine that provides 265 Nm of torque.

If you pay 3000 euros more, you get an 80 kW electric motor per axle and dig through the terrain with up to 336 Nm.

We won't forget

that: The bZ4X's low-profile silhouette.

While electric cars often tower over conventional cars because of the battery in the floor, Toyota's first electric model crouches about ten centimeters flatter on the asphalt than the RAV-4.

It achieves less air resistance - and looks sleeker.

Thomas Geiger is a freelance author and was supported in his research by Toyota.

Reporting is independent of this.

Source: spiegel

All tech articles on 2022-02-24

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