Toyota takes on VW, Tesla with 'human-centric' EV

Toyota is touting the "human-centric" features of its bZ4X Concept car that will be crucial in helping the automaker to catch up with rivals such as Volkswagen Group that are ahead in the push to electrify their lineups.

The production version of the compact SUV will go on sale in mid-2022, targeting as key markets Europe and China where sales of EVs are growing fast. It will be a rival the Tesla Model Y, VW ID4 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The development focus for the bZ4X Concept was to create "a comfortable and connected space where people can enjoy spending time together when making a journey,” Toyota said in a statement on Sunday, as the concept was unveiled at the Shanghai auto show.

"Our target customer is someone who places importance on time spent together with family and friends. When they want to enjoy such times, Toyota bZ4X Concept can serve as a hub for them," Toyota's Chief Engineer Koji Toyoshima said in the statement.

The car was jointly developed with Subaru, which is 20 percent owned by Toyota. It leverages Subaru’s all-wheel drive technology to offer what Toyota claims is “best in class high all-wheel drive capability.” Subaru has said it will launch its own version of the car within the next five years.

The ‘bZ’ letters in the concept’s name stand for ‘beyond Zero,’ reinforcing the automaker’s name for its 2050 ambition to achieve carbon neutrality and move beyond zero environmental impact to having a net positive impact on the global ecosphere and society.

This includes everything from hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to personal mobility runabouts.

The bZ4X is the first vehicle based on the automaker's new electric-only e-TNGA platform that will accommodate body styles from small crossovers, compact cars and sporty sedans to seven-seat SUVs. It can support rear-wheel-, front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive layouts and differing battery sizes ranging from 50 kilowatt hours to 100 kWh.

Seven Toyota brand models will be launched by 2025 under the Beyond Zero subbrand. Lexus will also use the e-TNGA platform.

Toyota was an electrification pioneer with the Prius, the world’s first hybrid car powered by a gasoline engine and electric motor launched in 1997, but the automaker has been reluctant to fully embrace cars powered only by batteries until now.

Toyota said its electrified portfolio, including hybrids, will reach 70 models worldwide by 2025.

In Europe, the production bZ4X will be one of 10 zero-emissions vehicles that Toyota and Lexus plan to launch by 2025. By that year, Toyota envisages a powertrain mix in Europe of more than 70 percent full hybrids, more than 10 percent plug-in hybrids and more than 10 percent zero emission models – both battery electric cars and fuel cell electric.

With the bZ subbrand, Toyota follows other automakers that are creating new names to identify their zero emission ranges. VW brand sells its new-generation EVs as ID models, Mercedes-Benz uses EQ, Audi has the e-tron badge and Hyundai will expand its Ioniq electric-car lineup.

Toyota says the bZ4X production model will have a world-first combination of a steering yoke and a steer-by-wire system.

The technology gives the driver greater control, removing interference from rough road surfaces and braking, thereby giving a more precise response in line with the vehicle’s speed and steering angle.

Steer-by-wire also dispenses with the traditional, circular steering wheel, replacing it with a uniquely shaped steering yoke and new adaptive grip control.

The technology which eliminates the need for the driver to move their hands around the wheel as they make a turn, adding to the car’s fun-to-drive quality, Toyota said.

The combination of a steering yoke and a steer-by-wire system will be introduced first in China before being made available worldwide, Toyota said.

The bZ4X’s exterior styling draws from the new design language for electric vehicles that Toyota teased in 2019. It has sharp surfaces, a steeply raked rear window and slit-like headlights.

The concept has styling cues from Toyota’s angular RAV4 compact SUV but it has a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs. Rear leg room in the bZ4X is similar to that of the Lexus LS large luxury sedan, Toyota said.

The front fascia gets minimized apertures for a mostly smooth look telegraphing the vehicle’s lack of an internal combustion engine.

A charging port flap is positioned behind the front wheel. The wheel arches are emphasized with black cladding, and the rear gets wrap-around lighting.

Inside, a massive upright digital display dominates the dashboard, while the instrument panel is positioned low and recessed from the airplane cloche-styled steering wheel, which juts out toward the driver. Toyota said this layout helps create a sense of open space in the cabin while improving visibility.