Toyota recently unveiled a refreshed version of the bZ4X, which is expected to be the manufacturer’s answer to similarly sized electric SUVs like the Tesla Model Y and the all-new Toyota C-HR+.
The C-HR+ is based on the e-TNGA 2.0 platform with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, which means it is slightly longer than the bZ4X. The base European-spec model is powered by a single 167 hp electric motor, has front-wheel drive, and a 57.7 kWh battery provides a range of 455 kilometers on a single charge. The more powerful version will have 225 hp, front-wheel drive and a 77 kWh battery for a range of 600 kilometers. The top of the range is the version with two electric motors with 343 hp, all-wheel drive, and a range of 525 kilometers on a single battery charge.
The refreshed bZ4X comes with several exterior changes that improve the aerodynamics of the front end. The interior features an upgraded instrument cluster and a new 14-inch display.
What sets it apart from the current model are the 73.1 kWh and 57.7 kWh lithium-ion batteries. Toyota claims to have improved the energy density of both batteries and increased the number of cells used in each. The electric motors have also been upgraded, now featuring silicon carbide semiconductors. The refreshed bZ4X also comes with a battery pre-conditioning system that will allow for more efficient high-speed charging in cold conditions. The AC charger on higher-spec models now supports 22 kW instead of 11 kW, but the maximum DC charging speed is still limited to 150 kW, which is less than some competitors. Charging the battery from 10 to 80 percent takes about 30 minutes.
The base version is equipped with a single electric motor with 167 hp, front-wheel drive and a 57.7 kWh battery that allows for a range of 445 kilometers. The more powerful version has 224 hp, a 73.1 kWh battery for a range of 573 kilometers on a single charge, while the most powerful version has 343 hp, which is enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. It has all-wheel drive and a 73.1 kWh battery for a range of 520 kilometers.
Source: Toyota
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