Two EVs, two thoughts
From the exhibition floor of Auto Shanghai, two new electric Toyotas blast at us. They are not fully ready for production yet, but they are interesting of course. These are the Toyota bZ Sport Crossover Concept and the bZ FlexSpace Concept.
The bZ family of Toyota models developed basically as electric cars is still small in Europe. Very small even. For the time being, Toyota only sells the bZ4X, although it already looked ahead to a second bZ model for Europe last year. In China, Toyota also has an electric sedan in the bZ family: the bZ3. With the bZ Sport Crossover Concept and the bZ FlexSpace Concept, Toyota is previewing two new electric bZ models in China.
The bZ Sport Crossover Concept is an electric crossover with a steeply sloping roofline and a typical bZ face. Just like the bZ3, the bZ Sport Crossover Concept has been developed by BTET. What is BET? BTET stands for BYD Toyota EV Technology and is a partnership that Toyota and FAW have with the Chinese BYD, which is also active in Europe. The final production version will be produced by the FAW Toyota Motor joint venture. Toyota is not yet sharing technical data, although it does say that the bZ Sport Crossover Concept is aimed at ‘Generation Z’. Relatively young buyers. The interior of the bZ Sport Crossover Concept is remarkably minimalist. More than one yoke-like steering wheel and a ‘shelf’ with a digital instrumentation and an infotainment screen on it, you will not find it.
bZ FlexSpace
The second conceptual newcomer is called Toyota bZ FlexSpace and, according to Toyota, is an SUV-like with which it mainly focuses on practicality. An electric family car. The model is being developed by the GAC Toyota partnership and will therefore be built and operated by that joint venture. According to Toyota, the interior of the bZ FlexSpace Concept must breathe the atmosphere of a ‘cosy home’,
Toyota says that production versions derived from these two should come on the market in China in 2024 and does not say a word about a possible arrival in Europe. The two new Toyotas are two of ten electric models that Toyota will market through 2026.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl