After quite a few years of manufacturing hybrid cars, Toyota is launching its first new electric vehicle – the BZ4X. BZ means BEYOND ZERO, zero pollution, zero pollutant emissions. The first model in its series of electric models, bearing the name BZ, is the 4X. But that does not mean it will stop producing hybrid or plug-in models. The hybrids will be marketed in parallel with the electric ones, with the goal being that by 2035 all Toyota models will be electric only and by 2050 the manufacturer’s production processes will also be non-polluting.
We did the first driving in the new car in Denmark, where we realized that living “green” is not only good for separating garbage or getting off vehicles whose pollution rating is like a small truck – but also to reach a situation where the percentage of cyclists does not fall below the percentage of drivers. All the way, in the city and on long-distance roads, and generate garbage electricity as was done in Copenhagen Park in Copenhagen, which is also a surfing and climbing attraction and observation of the whole city, which also has a restaurant for the whole family. The so-called, fun cycle.
At first glance, the BZ4X is reminiscent of other crossovers: an “opaque” front that makes it clear that this is an electric model, a charging opening in the front, Transformer headlights designed, sharp lines in the front, and beautiful curves in the back. But in an in-depth look, when it comes to interior design, Toyota has done a good job of making a distinction between it and the hybrid models. The cab looks unique with a modern center console with large switches, an opening for a mobile charging pad, a gear shift pulley and a large, colorful and high-tech multimedia screen at the end of the console.
In front of the driver’s seat is a small steering wheel and a small dashboard, very reminiscent of European cars. The dashboard is only 7 inches in size. In a high sitting position, the steering wheel hides a third of it, and even when the steering wheel is lowered, the situation improves only slightly. I have already had time to pass on this comment to the representatives of Toyota Europe.
The ride in the BZ4X is incredibly comfortable, the vehicle soothes bumps, cracks and fractures that we never imagined an electric vehicle could soothe. On the way we met a large pothole, which we reached at not a low speed, and we were surprised that the vehicle passed it and calmed it down without feeling or hearing. Noise isolation is not bad, although on long-distance roads, above 100 km / h, wind noises have entered. On the other hand, strong winds are blowing in Copenhagen.
Despite the wide wheels, no significant road noises came in from the wheelhouse, which is also surprising. I drove the dual-propulsion version, AWD (4×4), which includes two electric motors – front and rear – with a power of 80 kilowatts each, a combined power of 217.6 hp and a maximum torque of 34.4 kg, which allow the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km “That in 6.9 seconds. This is a nice figure, which is noticeable on the ride. The accelerations from the place in the BZ4X are fun, but in a slight delay.
The battery capacity is 71.4 kilowatt hours, with a declared driving range of 460 kilometers, and a realistic range of 410 kilometers, a nice figure too. In the front-wheel drive version, the declared range is over 500 kilometers, and a realistic range of 450-470 kilometers. I drove for a short time with the option of “driving with one pedal”, which with the help of regenerative braking allows to accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator pedal. It is convenient and effective.
The dual-propulsion version of the vehicle incorporates an X-MODE system, the result of Toyota’s collaboration with Subaru. The two shared common technologies, and Subaru brought to the collaboration its successful off-road driving system, which underwent changes and improvements and was respectfully added to the list of driving systems in Toyota’s new electric vehicle. The system allows a choice between different terrain conditions, including grip control and assistance on the DAC slope and provides successful terrain driving, including obstacle / water crossing success. Not a trivial matter when it comes to an electric vehicle.
The multimedia system is good and easy to operate, with a 12.3-inch touch screen with connectivity to Apple CarPlay wireless and Android Auto. The dashboard is small, but it contains all the important information, and the display is clear and orderly. The driver’s seat has electric direction options and the passenger next to it has a mechanical direction. Front seat heating, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging pad, 360-degree surround cameras, rain sensors and indoor ambient lighting are available.
The BZ4X has a new safety package, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes an expansion of a pre-collision system for identifying vehicles arriving from the front and vehicles bursting into an intersection, the ability to slow down acceleration at low speeds and assist in emergency stopping. The model comes with a proactive driving assistance system, which provides the driver with predictive obstacles and deceleration assistance, an assistance system for safe exit from the vehicle after parking and a system for stopping the vehicle in an emergency, which includes a camera to detect the driver’s condition.
Home slow charging from 0 to 100% battery will take about 19 hours; Public slow charging about 10 hours; And fast charging up to 30 minutes for about 80% battery.
Toyota is already in the next phase of the Beyond Zero – hydrogen, and is investing a lot of time and money in thinking about producing and producing electricity from hydrogen, and ways of storing and storing hydrogen. The whole automotive world is in a race for hydrogen, and a manufacturer that fails to catch up on this issue will be in trouble.
To date, Toyota has halted orders for its first dedicated electric vehicle, after 1,000 orders were received in a short time, so that it can meet the ongoing supply to customers. This month, the first 100 cars will reach the happy 100, and by the end of the year, we will see several hundred more BZ4X cars on the road, so the car supply rate is expected to be the same in 2023.
Prices: Toyota BZ4X front-wheel drive – NIS 230,000; Toyota BZ4X dual propulsion – NIS 250,000.
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