All electric SUV sets high expectations

Toyota’s first ever pure electric vehicles – the bZ4X – has broken cover in Australia and is set for an exclusive second half launch.

Motoring journalists drove the first model at our Melbourne Centre of Excellence in the New Year, where Toyota senior managers confirmed that the much-anticipated SUV will be in our Sydney City Toyota showrooms soon.

The bZ4X has dimensions similar to our chart topping RAV4. Its all-electric power train and striking new features take Toyota, and for that matter the electric car movement, to the next level.

We’re already by far the biggest seller of electric vehicles in Australia with our comprehensive hybrid range of petrol-electric models.

Now, the combination of all electric power with renowned Toyota quality and service is a breakthrough in the move to a new way of motoring.

Specifications are still to be confirmed, but here’s what we can say.

The bZ4X is built on a new Toyota platform to take maximum advantage of the interior space made possible by the use of its electric power train and compact battery storage system.

It appears likely we’ll be able to offer front wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants with a corresponding choice of power units.

Some of the electronic controls and on-board voice activations will transform the way you drive.

The good news is that driving range is right up there with the best. And recharging capacity will be state of the art.

If you’re wondering about the name – bZ stands for Beyond Zero, a reference to reducing emissions (and fuel use) to a negative number. 4X means the cross-over from our sensational RAV4.

We’re seriously excited about the arrival of bZ. It’s less than two years since it was first shown as a concept car.

When the global market leader can achieve such a super-fast model development cycle, we know that we’re working in the best motoring interests of our guests.