WLTP range figures also confirmed for Toyota’s incoming first full electric.

AN early in-depth insight into the first purpose-built fully electric car Toyota will offer New Zealanders has been provided by a higher-priority market that Kiwis often look to.

Local arrival timing for the bZ4x remains murky; after initially tick-boxing late 2022 as a highly likely touchdown time, the brand recently left impression it might not land until early next year.

Whatever the case, the United Kingdom definitely has earlier dibs. Residents there will be able to buy the model as of June and the distributor there has released pricing, specifications, trims and a core interest constituent, the final homologated ranges for the two drivetrain types – single motor and dual motor, the latter of course all-wheel-drive – expected to share here.

The pricing cannot necessarily be seen as an accurate barometer. For the record, the spend there starts at the equivalent of $71,000 and tops out at about $95k, meaning it’s significantly more than the RAV4 it most relates to in styling and, broadly in size – though bZ4x is slightly smaller.

However the range values are going to be of Kiwi interest.

These are set by the world harmonised light vehicle procedure, aka WLTP, which is now the NZ standard, having been established to be far more credible than the previous measurement scale, NEDC. Nonetheless the latter’s range values are still utilised by Toyota’s Lexus brand nationally in relation to the marques’ sole fully battery car here, the UX300e.

WLTP has established the 150kW/265Nm front-wheel-drive variant is capable of travelling 510 kilometres on a full battery whereas the 160kW/336Nm dual motor will achieve up to 458km.

As expected, these are much stronger ranges than for the UX300e, the Lexus that solely represents Toyota NZ interest in the fully electric sector at the moment.

The all-paw bZ4x hits the legal open road limit from a standing start in 7.7 seconds, making it 0.7s quicker than the entry powertrain.

Toyota’s car is a conjoined project with Subaru. Fuji’s model is the Solterra, which Subaru NZ is not set to come until 2023. No WLTP figures have been released for it but it’s hard to imagine any significant difference as they share common drivetrains.

Both are on a new architecture (e-TNGA in Toyota-speak) that in each case houses a 71.4kWh battery in its floor. Toyota claims 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 this brand) with active thermal management of the battery helping range and durability.

The cars offer a maximum rapid charge rate of 150kW, meaning an 80 percent charge can be recouped in 30 minutes, while an optional 11kW AC charger in the future will help overnight home replenishment.

The platform engineering is backed up by more advanced technology, including a seven-inch TFT digital dash that promotes a “hands on the wheel, eyes on the road” philosophy (that’ll be familiar to users of Subaru’s EyeSight).

Speaking of … as per the bZ4x concept, the platform has allowed Toyota to develop a steer-by-wire system. This new set-up, called One Motion Grip, is not on the initial UK cars, but will be coming. It does away with a mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the front wheels, instead replacing it with a digital connection in which the driver’s inputs on the steering wheel are relayed electronically to the front tyres, with a motor adjusting the tyre angle.

Aside from the driver concentration aides, Subaru’s influence shows with the all-wheel-drive offering different settings for the powertrain that include parameters (called, you guessed it, X-Mode) for snow, gravel and mud as well as Grip Control for tougher off-road conditions.

With the new e-TNGA architecture’s long wheelbase maximising space inside, Toyota claims strong legroom for rear-seat passengers, while boot space stands at 452 litres.

The UK sees three trim levels at launch. The base setting, called Pure, includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a multimedia system with an eight-inch display, a seven-inch digital instrument display and a reversing camera. Keyless entry and start also features, as does a remotely operated climate control function to pre-heat and cool the cabin.

The next-up Motion spec adds a rear spoiler, rear privacy glass, optional 20in alloy wheels and an ‘entry illumination sequence’ for the LED lighting. IT takes heated front seats, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, ambient lighting and a wireless charging tray for smartphones. A fixed panoramic glass roof and an expanded driver assistance package are options.

The UK’s top fitout, called Vision, brings 20in five-spoke alloys, rear parking sensors with an auto-brake function to avoid rear-end collisions, remote parking assist, synthetic leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. A heated steering wheel also features, while an electric tailgate with kick sensor is included. Furthermore, a ‘digital key’ smartphone app allows the owner to provide others access to the bZ4x.