Toyota has unveiled extra electrical car ideas than we are able to keep in mind over the previous two years, and now you can add another to the record: the City SUV Idea.
Unveiled as we speak at Toyota’s annual Kenshiki Discussion board in Brussels, Belgium, the City SUV is claimed to preview a subcompact electrical SUV for Europe that might be revealed within the first half of 2024 and may have its market launch later within the yr. There is no such thing as a indication that the brand new mannequin will make it to the U.S. market, sadly.
Toyota says the City SUV will compete within the subcompact SUV section (or B-segment, because it’s referred to as), which Toyota expects to turn into one of many largest markets for BEVs in Europe. That is shaping as much as be an important car for the Japanese automaker, so here is what we learn about it for the time being.
Toyota’s upcoming subcompact electrical SUV is 169.3 inches (4,300 millimeters) lengthy, 71.6 in (1,820 mm) large, and 63.7 in (1,620 mm) excessive. For context, the City SUV Idea has a really related footprint to the Volkswagen T-Roc, considered one of Europe’s best-selling subcompact SUVs; the Toyota is barely marginally longer and taller than the German SUV.
The City SUV can also be roughly the identical measurement as a Toyota C-HR—it is barely shorter and narrower, although a bit taller; it is going to characterize a totally electrical different to the C-HR, which is offered as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
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In response to Toyota, the brand new car might be “probably the most compact and accessible in a deliberate six-model devoted BEV line-up.”
The vary will embrace the present Toyota bZ4X and the manufacturing variations of the Compact SUV Idea unveiled final yr on the Kenshiki discussion board, the City SUV Idea, and the Sport Crossover Idea. The latter was first unveiled in China because the bZ Sport Crossover in April; the remaining two fashions that might be part of Toyota’s European BEV lineup are unknown for now.
Toyota stated the manufacturing City SUV will journey on a devoted EV platform and provide two battery choices “to swimsuit completely different buyer priorities of driving vary and accessibility.” It’s going to additionally provide entrance and all-wheel drive powertrains, though it is too early for particular particulars on battery capability or energy and torque.
The automaker says the City SUV meets the priorities of European prospects and can “ship the standard, sturdiness and reliability which can be hallmarks of the Toyota model.” The car can also be stated to supply a “no compromise” design and engineering.
The Toyota City SUV Idea adopts the identical styling language seen on the model’s bZ household of EVs. Exterior highlights embrace the bulged shoulders, brief overhangs, excessive driving place, and brief hood.
On condition that we’re lower than a yr away from the manufacturing mannequin’s unveiling and seeing because the idea seems fairly production-ready, the City SUV Idea is more likely to see minor styling modifications on its technique to the European market. One change that is not exhausting to guess is the adoption of conventional facet mirrors as a substitute of the examine’s cameras.
Whereas no images of the cabin can be found but, Toyota stated the versatile inside affords maximized house and might simply be tailored to prioritize passenger or load house relying on customers’ wants.
The manufacturing mannequin of Toyota’s subcompact electrical SUV for Europe, in addition to additional particulars about it, might be launched within the first half of 2024.
Although it is usually accused of being a latecomer to the EV sport, Toyota says it has large plans for the electrical world beginning particularly after 2026. These plans embrace a Lexus sedan that assessments out all kinds of latest options and software program; a sports activities automotive that appears very probably for manufacturing; the adoption of Tesla’s NACS plug; and solid-state batteries with spectacular vary.