Toyota plans on having seven models in its bZ family of EVs by 2025, according to Motor1. Scheduled to arrive in the late spring, the bZ4X crossover will be the first of those models, as you likely know. And there are more on the way.
The rendering of the bZ5 sedan replaces the crossover bZ4X’s blunt nose with a sharper shape, looking somewhat like a Nissan Maxima from the side, with a raked A-pillar and blacked-out elements for both the B- and C-pillars, while maintaining a low roofline and long hood.
One should expect many of the bZ family models to ride on the E-TNGA platform Toyota has developed. This would mean that sedans like the bZ5 could share their’ batteries & electric motor powertrain with the bZ4X crossover. These front and all-wheel-drive layouts should be generating 201 and 215 horsepower, respectively.
The bZ4X will come with a 71.4 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery in its’ front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration, with an estimated driving range of 252 miles. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) iteration will be powered by a 72.8 kWh battery pack which will have an estimated range of 228 miles.
The E-TNGA platform can support more power, as evidenced by the 308 hp Lexus RZ450e, which derives its’ power from a pair of electric motors and should offer around 225 miles of cruising range from its’ 71.4kWh battery pack.
Akio Toyoda did a presentation in December of 2021, where it showed 15 of its’ concept EVs for the Toyota and Lexus brands. Displayed were vehicles from practically every segment, including a boxy off-roader as well as an open-roof sports car.
Toyota has made plans to offer up to 30 EVs by 2030, as well as have a fully electric lineup in Europe, China, and the United States by 2030 as well. Toyota has stated that they are investing up to $70 billion USD to make this transition to electric power, as the entire automotive industry is, or at least claims to be, in a transition towards an all EV future.
[Image: Toyota]
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From BusyForks to BusySpoons, BusyKnives, and BusyTongs.
How long until the awful bZ names quietly disappear and are replaced by Toyota’s existing, astonishingly powerful brands? “RAV4 Electric” would immediately tell everyone what a bZ4X is and also reassure them that what they’re getting is totally familiar except for the lack of gas tank.
Yes, this. Enough with all the stupid, unmemorable alphanumeric designations for EV “subbrands”. If EVs replace ICE-powered vehicles as planned, we’ll be left with a bunch of bZs, ID.xs, EQs, and other inane names in place of names like Corolla, Camry, Golf, Civic, and Accord that have had half a century to build a reputation and customer base.
If EVs _replace_ ICEs, we’ll be left stranded. Strange monikers being the least of our concern.
Why not just make them all “BZZZZZZT!”, like an electric shock?
Is it named after famous French composer? Or cake? I actually like Bizet, both of them.
Bizet? Bisset.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Bizet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Bisset
they should just make everything a plug-in hybrid, even if it only gives 50 miles. thats enough for a lot of people for a days use. bonus if its a straight 120v connect.
Toyota wins the ugly contest again!!!