Toyota bZ4X concept SUV looks wild — but can it take on Tesla?

Toyota bZ4X concept SUV looks wild — only can it accept on Tesla?

(Image credit: Toyota)

At the Shanghai Auto Show, Toyota has unveiled the bZ4X concept, the company'southward outset EV on the e-TNGA electric vehicle compages that was co-developed with Subaru.

The concept, which takes much design inspiration from Toyota's RAV4, features large blackness wheel-arches that blend into the fender, ambitious angles and a front confront that looks like a snarling Tesla Model X.

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The bZ4X is an electrical SUV with all-wheel drive pattern. It'south a function of Toyota'due south "Beyond Zippo" initiative which aims to brand the company carbon neutral by 2050.

"The Toyota bZ4X concept points to all the same another option in our already robust electrified portfolio" said Bob Carter, TMNA executive vice president of sales in a press release.

"With investments and product offerings across the spectrum of electrification, we intend to be there with products and technologies that meet the diverse needs of customers around the world," he added.

As mentioned above, this architecture was co-adult with Japanese automaker Subaru. The bZ4X SUV concept aims to take on the electrification prowess Toyota has harnessed since its release of the Prius dorsum in 1997 along with Subaru's legacy equally an all-bicycle drive titan.

Unfortunately, Toyota did not unveil battery size, range or performance metrics. And then, information technology's uncertain how much Elon Musk and Tesla accept to fright Toyota's entrance into the EV infinite. Only if Toyota can bring similar range to the Model X and Y, then its pedigree as a quality automaker should attract longtime fans into switch to electric.

Other design cues in the Toyota concept include a long wheelbase with short overhangs for increased interior infinite, an open up-concept interior with a large screen on the nuance. Toyota fabricated no mention of the types of interior materials, but we suspect, just like with the Mazda MX-30 EV 2022, that information technology will feature vegan leathers and other eco-friendly textiles.

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Information technology'south not just SUVs either. Toyota is planning on making EV sedans and trucks as well. In total, Toyota says it volition release 70 electrified vehicles by 2025, xv of which will be fully electric.

The Toyota bZ4X will be manufactured in both Japan and Red china and should begin sale worldwide in mid-2022.

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Imad Khan is news editor at Tom's Guide, helping direct the day's breaking coverage. Prior to working at the site, Imad was a total-time freelancer, with bylines at the New York Times, the Washington Post and ESPN. Outside of piece of work, you can find him sitting blankly in front of a Word certificate trying desperately to write the first pages of a new book.