Toyota bZ4X debuts as the company's first purpose-designed EV

Today Toyota has officially presented the bZ4X, its first purpose-designed battery electric vehicle, built from the ground up to take us into the "beyond zero" future. "bZ" actually stands for "beyond zero", in case you were wondering, and this car definitely wins the dubious "weirdest EV name outside of China" award, at least for now.

It's a 5-seat SUV, and it debuts a new "brand-defining hammerhead frontal shape", Toyota says. The bZ4X is built using Toyota's new dedicated EV platform, based on e-TNGA philosophy. The platform will also be used for future bZ models (the company promises six more by 2025) and is designed for production at scale.

There are two drivetrains for the bZ4X. The front-wheel drive one has a 150 kW (204 PS/DIN hp) motor producing up to 265 Nm of torque, which enables 0-100 km/h (0-62mph) acceleration in 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph).

The all-wheel drive model pumps the power up to 160 kW or 217.5 PS/DIN hp, splitting it evenly between front and rear motors, enabling 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds. There's a "single pedal drive" mode that boosts the braking energy regeneration, if you're a fan of that. The AWD version was developed in partnership with Subaru and features different drive modes that can get you out of sticky situations - there's a setting for snow/mud, one for deep snow/mud (under 20km/h), and one called Grip Control for tougher off-road driving under 10km/h.

The range is expected to be around 460 km (279 miles) WLTP for the FWD model, and 500 km (310 miles) for the AWD model. They both have the same 71.4 kWh battery that is apparently only going to lose 10% of its capacity in 10 years or 240,000 km (150,000 miles) of driving, whichever comes first.

Toyota boasts that the bZ4X will lose less range in sub-zero conditions than its competitors, thanks to an efficient and effective heating system that includes a heat pump. The car's range can be ever so slightly improved with the use of an optional solar panel roof.

Charging can be done at 6.6 kW AC or up to 150 kW DC, and if you use the fastest charger you'll get to 80% charge in around 30 minutes. An 11 kW three-phase on-board charger will be available from Q4 2022.

The bZ4X is the first production Toyota car to feature a steer-by-wire system, which will apparently not initially make it to Europe but will be offered in the rest of Toyota's markets. This dispenses with any mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the front wheels, and as such can electronically adjust the tire angle precisely according to the driver's intention.

It also has the added benefit of providing more legroom and improving driving position freedom. Additionally, you're spared vibrations from the tires, and the steering wheel can turn less - lock-to-lock is set at around 150 degrees, eliminating the need to change grip mid-movement. The car's turning radius is an unbelievable 5.7m.

The interior is filled with soft, woven trim textures and satin-finish detailing to enhance the perceived comfort. The 7" driver display is slim and low-set, and the long 2,850mm (112.2") wheelbase "delivers class-leading legroom for all occupants" and "a one-meter couple distance between front and rear passenger hip points".

The boot/trunk's capacity is 452 liters, or 15.96 cubic feet. The Toyota bZ4X measures 4,690 x 1,860 x 1,650 mm, or 184.64 x 73.22 x 64.96 inches.

The bZ4X is getting a European premiere on December 2, which will be followed by the launch of online reservations. Deliveries should start worldwide in the middle of 2022.