Toyota

Toyota bZ4X Electric ConceptToyota has already filed trademarks for other bZ models such as bZ1X up to bZ5X in India
Slowdown in the global automotive industry hasn’t impacted the process of automakers transitioning to electrified powertrains. Toyota has announced that it will be adding as many fifteen fully electric vehicles (EVs) in its global lineup out of which seven will wear the branding of bZ which stands for ‘Beyond Zero’.
The first of the bZ lineup has now been revealed in a pre-production concept form called bZ4X which is loosely based on Toyota’s mid-size SUV RAV4. Given RAV4’s popularity in international markets, it was a no-brainer for the Japanese carmaker. The crossover has been built on e-TNGA platform in partnership with Subaru.
Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
Exterior Design
As expected, the bZ4X Concept takes a number of styling inspirations from its IC engine-powered cousin. It is similar in shape and size to RAV4 but sits a little lower and is slightly longer than the latter.
At front, it gets a small hexagonal grille in the lower section of the face with small vertical inlets in the corners. Otherwise, the front end has no openings with a trapezoidal nose. The headlight clusters have four projector LED beams and a strip of LED DRLs at top of each.
Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
Moving to its side profile, it gets swift character lines flowing backward giving it the impression of a scooped-out section. Lower part of the door kinks upward at the rear fenders while a rear spoiler and high beltline add a sporty element to its design. Like RAV4, the C-pillar has a steep coupe-like rake while glossy black wheel arches and multi-spoke tubeless alloy wheels accentuate the crossover’s sporty appeal.
Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
At rear, LED illumination comprising boomerang-shaped taillights and a full-width strip across the tailgate gives it a premium appeal. Overall, the bZX4 concept grabs the attention by its bold and futuristic looks. Its interior, though premium and modern, fails to complement the exterior.
Interior Layout & Features
The cabin features a bulky steering column with a digital instrument cluster almost stuck to the windscreen glass. The dashboard flaunts a wide touchscreen infotainment unit extending up to the centre console finished in piano with rotary dials for toggling assistance systems and drive modes.
Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
It also receives a touchpad with a blue glow that can be used to operate the infotainment screen. Other highlights include multi-zone climate control, USB charging ports and a dual-tone interior theme.
The rear seat seems fairly spacious thanks to the lack of a drivetrain hump and a wide cabin which should accommodate three adults abreast. Toyota hasn’t yet revealed the exact powertrain specs. The e-TNGA platform is suited for both single motor and dual motor setups.
Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
The former can be opted in either front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive layouts while the latter comes with all-wheel-drive capabilities. A single-motor variant called bZ4 should also be included in the lineup. Basically, the ‘X’ in the model name refers to all-wheel-drive vehicles.
Toyota has trademarked BZ, BZ1, BZ2, BZ3, BZ4 and BZ5 in India
A rebadged crossover under Subaru branding shall also be developed. Expect production version of bZ4X to start reaching markets by mid-2022. Toyota intends to launch all seven bZ models by 2025 which will also include an electric pickup truck. Production of the electric crossover is expected to be carried out in Japan and China. More

Toyota Electric Crossover Teaser
The Toyota X-Prologue is the first product to be based on the new e-TNGA platform which will spawn fully electric vehicles

Being the world’s largest automaker, it is in Toyota’s best interest to stay at the forefront of the ongoing crossover revolution. The giant’s e-TNGA (electric – Toyota New Global Architecture) is set to spawn a whole new array of future products and most of them are going to be SUVs, including the X-Prologue which has been teased ahead of its world premiere on March 17.
Toyota X-Prologue – A mid-size crossover
The latest teaser not only reveals the name of the crossover but also gives us a glimpse of its unconventional front fascia design. The Toyota X-Prologue sports a unique LED DRL that runs across the width of the car and nestled within it are the 3-part LED headlamp elements.
Being a fully electric vehicle, the crossover does not require a radiator grille and this gives the designers a free hand in shaping up the front fascia. There is a definitive step in the sheet metal design where a conventional grille would be. We will know more about the design in the coming days.
The previous teaser suggests that the profile of the crossover is relatively less radical than its front fascia, with a flat roofline and a steeply inclined C-Pillar. There is simply no further detail about the Toyota X-Prologue at this moment.
Patent image for reference. Credit – AutoWeek
Toyota e-TNGA
Toyota had announced earlier that its e-TNGA modular platform will be spinning out a whole new range of electric vehicles. The lineup will include a mid-size crossover, a large crossover, a compact crossover, a mid-size sedan and a minivan. Some of these products will also have Suzuki, Subaru and Daihatsu derivatives to take advantage of the synergies.
The modular platform is is flexible enough to adopt different wheelbases and drive configurations (front-, rear- or all-wheel drive). Different battery sizes and motor outputs are also possible, giving Toyota and its collaborates a wide range of options when it comes to body styles and powertrain configurations.
The Toyota X-Prologue will be the first product to be based on the e-TNGA. While it will have Europe as its primary market, it is expected to be manufactured in Japan at Toyota’s EV-specific factory. So, it is reasonable to expect it to be sold in its home country as well.
Patent image for reference. Credit – AutoWeek
Launch plans in North America and other leading markets in Asia are not clear as of now. With electrification becoming the focus of mobility sector across the world, we expect e-TNGA derivatives to become global models sooner than later.
It is too early to speculate about the possibility of X-Prologue’s arrival in India. For now, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is focused on maximizing the potential of its product-sharing partnership with Suzuki in the domestic market. More