Toyota Australia has delayed the electrical bZ4X by roughly a 12 months, in a transfer it says is to make sure it has the newest and biggest.
“The explanation we delayed really, regardless of some fashionable opinion and commentary, is that we wish to have the ability to safe provide and the newest spec,” mentioned Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s vice chairman of gross sales, advertising and marketing and franchise operations.
“In order that they’re the 2 basic the explanation why it has been delayed. I have not received the precise numbers. It’s kind of early, however we anticipate to have an affordable launch quantity for this information primarily based on our market dimension.”
For extra Motoring associated information and movies try Motoring >>
The bZ4X was initially set to launch late in 2022, however has been delayed to the fourth quarter of 2023.
Mr Hanley’s remarks counsel the delay just isn’t due to any teething points Toyota’s first quantity EV has skilled – such because the wheels quite literally falling off – however as an alternative to safe an up to date mannequin.
Whereas the bZ4X solely entered manufacturing in 2022, Toyota could possibly be rolling out working modifications. Whether or not these prolong to the bZ4X’s electrical motors and batteries is unclear.
Whereas the Australian line-up is but to be detailed, the bZ4X is obtainable abroad with a alternative of 150kW single-motor front-wheel drive and 160kW dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains, each teamed with a 71.4kWh lithium battery pack.
Vary on the FWD is 516km on the harder WLTP check cycle, and 470km on the AWD, whereas claimed 0-100km/h instances are 8.four seconds and seven.7 seconds respectively.
The 4690mm lengthy by 1860mm broad by 1650mm tall bZ4X is about Tesla Model Y-sized, or barely longer and decrease than a RAV4.
The FWD weighs 1920kg, with the AWD including 85kg taking it to 2005kg. For context the dual-motor Tesla Mannequin Y weighs 2003kg.
It rides on a brand new structure referred to as e-TNGA, designed for electrical automobiles. The Subaru Solterra is actually the identical automobile, with solely minor styling tweaks, and is due right here mid-year.
Pricing has but to be introduced for Australia however Mr Hanley mentioned the automotive will probably be “costly”, very similar to the Prius was again in 2001.
“Battery electrical vehicles are costly. Do not child your self. They’re costly to construct,” mentioned Mr Hanley.
“So I’ve all the time mentioned this automotive won’t be an affordable automotive. However as we go ahead, as hybrid did over 22 years at scale-up, EVs will come down in value.”
Toyota additionally cited the rising prices of lithium, eight instances larger than two years in the past, and provide shortages of battery cells as challenges.
The corporate plans to have electric vehicle chargers at 232 of its franchise sellers “effectively forward” of the bZ4X’s launch later this 12 months, for unique use by Toyota automobiles.
Sellers will probably be footing the invoice for the infrastructure, which Toyota Australia says represents a collective funding of $20 million.
These places will set up “not less than” one AC or DC charger, and Toyota says it expects the quantity to fluctuate primarily based on geographical location.
Toyota will expand its local EV range past the bZ4x.
“Beginning with the bZ4X, we are going to launch not less than three EVs within the house of three years, with extra within the pipeline,” mentioned Mr Hanley.
“Toyota is dedicated to bringing electrical automobiles to Australia, of their 1000’s inside just a few quick years, and in the end, within the tens of 1000’s.”
Along with these three, Mr Hanley says the corporate is “inspecting intently” a manufacturing model of final 12 months’s bZ Compact SUV idea.
Toyota has revealed just one different manufacturing bZ EV to date, the bZ3 sedan, however that is understood to be for the Chinese language market solely.
MORE: Everything Toyota bZ4x
