Jump to content

Toyota bZ

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Toyota bZ series)

The Toyota bZ series ("beyond Zero") is a family of battery electric vehicles (BEV) manufactured by Toyota. It was introduced in April 2021 alongside the bZ4X Concept. The bZ series is a part of Toyota's plan to introduce 15 battery electric vehicle models by 2025, seven of which are from the bZ series.[1] Vehicles from the bZ series make use of the e-TNGA platform co-developed with Subaru.

According to Toyota, the "beyond Zero" name is intended to convey the desire to provide customers with value that exceeds mere "zero emissions." The company described the bZ series as a "human-centered" approach aimed for regions such as China, North America, and Europe, where there are growing demand for BEVs.[2]

Its first vehicle, the bZ4X, is produced in Japan and China and has been sold since mid-2022.[3] The second model, called bZ3, was introduced in October 2022 to be sold exclusively in China in 2023. It is co-developed with BYD Auto through the BYD Toyota EV Technology (BTET) joint venture.

In 2025, Toyota decided to move away from the bZ naming strategy with plans to use names from current cars that are familiar to customers. The Urban Cruiser and C-HR+ are the first to use names that move away from the old system. The bZ4X will likely be the only electric car Toyota sells globally under the bZ naming strategy.[4]

Production models

[edit]

Patent fillings in 2020 revealed that Toyota had registered nine nameplates under the bZ series, which include bZ1, bZ2, bZ2X, bZ3, bZ3X, bZ4, bZ4X, bZ5, and bZ5X.[5][6] The numbers refer to the vehicle size or segment, while the 'X' denotes to the vehicle being a crossover SUV.[7]

Current production models

[edit]
  • Toyota bZ3
    Toyota bZ3
  • Toyota bZ3C
    Toyota bZ3C
  • Toyota bZ3X
    Toyota bZ3X
  • Toyota bZ4X
    Toyota bZ4X

Future production models

[edit]

Concept models

[edit]
Akio Toyoda shows prototypes of 15 BEVs during Toyota's briefing on BEV strategies in December 2021

In December 2021, Toyota revealed the bZ Compact SUV, bZ Large SUV, bZ Small Crossover, and bZ SDN (sedan) concept vehicles as part of the bZ series. The four bZ concepts were displayed as part of an event that showcased fifteen future Toyota and Lexus battery electric models.[12] The bZ SDN was later revealed as the bZ3 in October 2022.

An updated bZ Compact SUV concept was shown at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.[13] The production version was unveiled as the C-HR+ in March 2025.[14]

The bZ Sport Crossover Concept and bZ FlexSpace Concept presented at the Auto Shanghai in April 2023 were revealed as Toyota bZ3C and Toyota bZ3X at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2024, respectively.[15][16]

The Toyota Urban SUV Concept showcased at Toyota Motor Europe’s Kenshiki forum on 4 December 2023 featured the bZ designation in the rear light signature.[17][18] The production-ready Urban Cruiser was revealed on 12 December 2024, the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) abandoning the bZ designation.[19]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Toyota reveals global electrification strategy in Shanghai" (Press release). Australia: Toyota. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  2. ^ "Toyota announces its new BEV series, Toyota bZ, in establishment of a full line-up of electrified vehicles" (Press release). Toyota. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  3. ^ "Toyota kicks off new 'Beyond Zero'-emissions brand with bZ4X Concept". Driving. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  4. ^ Johnson, Peter (2025-01-15). "Toyota will use familiar names for its upcoming EVs, shifting away from the controversial 'bZ'". Electrek. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  5. ^ "Toyota, Lexus all-electric SUVs teased, co-developed with Subaru". Car Advice. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  6. ^ Hoffman, Connor (2021-04-09). "Toyota's Upcoming EVs Could Be Named BZ, for Beyond Zero". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  7. ^ "Toyota BZ4X Is The Name For Automaker's New Electric Crossover". InsideEVs. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  8. ^ Mihalascu, Dan (2022-10-24). "Toyota bZ3 Compact Electric Sedan Bows In China With 372-Mile Range". InsideEVs. US: Motorsport Network. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  9. ^ Didier Ric (2023-09-26). "Toyota bZ3x (2024) : l'alter ego électrique du C-HR se précise". L'Automobile Magazine.
  10. ^ Gauthier, Michael (2021-04-19). "Toyota's bZ4X Concept Previews An Electric SUV Coming In 2022". Carscoops. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  11. ^ Andrews, Mark (2024-11-20). "All-electric Toyota bZ7 concept debuts in China, likely equipped with BYD powertrain". China: CarNewsChina. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  12. ^ "Toyota bZ compact SUV and bZ small crossover - 6368032". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  13. ^ "A Nod to the Near Future: Toyota bZ Compact SUV Concept Revealed in U.S." (Press release). US: Toyota. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
  14. ^ "2026 Toyota C-HR+: New electric SUV wears a familiar name". CarExpert. 2025-03-12. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  15. ^ "Toyota bZ Sport Crossover And bZ FlexSpace Preview Production BEVs". InsideEVs. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  16. ^ Andrews, Mark (2024-04-25). "Two new Toyota EVs shown at 2024 Beijing Auto Show". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  17. ^ "Toyota unveils Urban SUV Concept, previewing a new electric compact SUV for Europe". Toyota unveils Urban SUV Concept, previewing a new electric compact SUV for Europe. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  18. ^ "Toyota Urban SUV is yet another EV concept revealed, but previewing a production model". www.autoblog.com. 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  19. ^ "Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: new cabin pictures and trim details released". Auto Express. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toyota bZ.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Toyota_bZ&oldid=1283601610"