Toyota NZ says the fully battery-driven SUV is a core asset, yet reminds hybrids will continue to drive its electrification strategy and that diesel is also staying around for a while.

CONFIRMATION Toyota’s first bespoke electric car will be a sales starter here – in late 2022 – has given the national distributor opportunity to repeat mantra about EVs being but a component of a grand plan mostly committed to technology that has served it well for years.

Toyota New Zealand has welcomed the bZ4X, a medium five-door sports utility wagon similar in dimension and look to its popular RAV4, as an important asset.

However, in doing so it has again reinforced a mantra that its electrification strategy will continue to be primarily driven by the petrol-fed and non-mains replenishable hybrid drivetrains that presently proliferate its fleet.

However, it has suggested even that approach, in which it has world domination, might not suit every kind of vehicle, including perhaps some types particularly popular with Kiwis. So, expect diesel to hang around for a bit, too, in commercial applications.

The Palmerston North-based market leader says bZ4X will be just the first of five EVs, all on a common underpinning, Toyota hopes to roll out within the next few years, and presents as an exciting step towards the company’s low carbon objectives.

Planning for its arrival late next year is already under way. No pricing detail is being shared at this time but general specs are out.

“Toyota’s electrification strategy has always been based on introducing the right solution, at the right time, and in the right market,” says TNZ chief executive Neeraj Lala.

“The bZ4X is the catalyst for an avalanche of new, exciting fully electric products under the bZ series over the next five years.

“The addition of bZ4X expands our large range of electrified vehicles and is a major contributor in reducing our overall emissions profile.”

In saying that, there’s no saying sayonara to the petrol-electric drivetrain tech that dates back to 1997, the year the first Prius was released.

Hybrid cars are set to be as equally important to its electrification plan’s three pillars - affordability for Kiwis, uncompromising safety and supplying product that suits all NZ customer needs – for some time yet.

“Hybrid electric vehicles have proven to be the best transitionary low emission vehicle to bridge the gap while availability and affordability of battery electric vehicles increase.

“In 2021, we plan to deliver a record 11,000 hybrid electric vehicles to customers which has had a huge impact on the carbon footprint of our total fleet.

“However, demand remains high for utes and commercial vans, where lower emission alternatives are yet to become readily available at an affordable price for small businesses.

“Our commitment is to offer customers all powertrain options until lower emission alternatives become available and affordable, which will take some time, and is unlikely in the timeframes set under the new clean car scheme.”

“It is going to take a combination of electrified vehicles including BEV, HEV, FCEV and PHEV to achieve our low carbon objectives, while still being able to serve our local communities.”

To meet the ongoing consumer demand for low emission technology, Toyota is investing heavily in battery technology globally, Lala reminds.

Toyota Motor Corporation recently announced a $19 billion investment in battery research and development and the formation of partnerships with technology resource companies such as Panasonic and BHP in Australia.

“Toyota will continue to leverage our global knowledge and experience accumulated over two decades of development of hybrid electric vehicles, to provide a stable supply of batteries that can be used worldwide through flexible manufacturing,” says TNZ’s boss.

“This investment highlights our commitment to transitioning our total fleet to some form of an electrified powertrain and provides the foundation for the introduction of seven new bZ vehicles by 2025 globally.”

Toyota’s investment into future battery technology also includes sold state batteries which will have higher performance, reduced environmental impact and more recycling options.

But anyway, what about the production bZ4X? Well, obviously quite a lot of the concept revealed earlier this year will make it into the showroom, including the quirky name. The production car is also a relatively close study when it comes to styling, though one much-discussed interior detail doesn’t make it through. Those expecting the Tesla-like yoke steering control will have to put up with an orthodox steering wheel.

Underneath the body it’s the first Toyota to sit on the brand’s new dedicated e-TNGA battery-electric vehicle platform, shared with Subaru’s sister ship, Solterra.

This new architecture houses a 71.4kWh battery in its floor that Toyota says gives a range of 450km on the WLTP test cycle. The brand also claims that the battery will hold 90 percent of its range for the first decade of its life, helped by water cooling of the cells (a first for Toyota) with active thermal management.

Two powertrain options are available, the first a front-wheel drive set-up offering 150kW and 265Nm of torque for a 0-100kmh time of 8.4 seconds. There’s also a dual-motor four-wheel-drive powertrain with 160kW and 336Nm of torque, which cuts the 0-100kmh time to 7.7 seconds. The latter option also offers XMode off road settings as well as Grip Control.

Both cars offer a maximum rapid charge rate of 150kW, meaning an 80 percent charge can be recouped in 30 minutes,

The e-TNGA platform has allowed Toyota to develop a steer-by-wire system, called One Motion Grip, which does away with a mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the front wheels, instead replacing it with an electronic connection.