After premiering in mid-November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Toyota bZ compact SUV concept is once again making headlines to celebrate its European debut. The electric crossover has made an appearance at the Kenshiki Forum in Brussels, Belgium, and Toyota is ready to talk some more about its EV. It is one of six models badged Beyond Zero that it intends to introduce on the Old Continent by 2026. The EV was designed and developed in France.
Shown here in new images alongside the C-HR Prologue plug-in hybrid concept unveiled today, the bZ Compact SUV Concept has the following dimensions: 4,538 millimeters (178.6 inches) in length, 1,888 mm (74.3 inches) in width (without mirrors) and 1560 mm (61.4 inches) in height. Those wheels measure in at a stately 21 inches, though we’re not entirely sure they’ll stay that big for the later production model.
18 Pictures
It’s slightly shorter than a RAV4, and just like the other bZ models Toyota has launched or is working on, this one was designed from day one strictly as an electric vehicle. The overall design doesn’t stray too far from the Prologue C-HR we mentioned earlier. However, you will immediately recognize which crossover is the purely electric model thanks to the front LED light bar installed on the bZ Compact SUV.
The minimalist interior does away with virtually all conventional controls by integrating vehicle functions into the generously sized infotainment. There are a few shortcuts below the touchscreen, providing quick access to climate controls, navigation and music settings. We also notice a home button on the far left, as well as a gear icon to access the main menu.
Because round steering wheels are apparently out of fashion, the steering wheel of the bZ Compact SUV Concept has the shape of an octagon. It removes the company logo, replacing it with an off-center “Toyota bZ” script. Both the touchscreen and digital driver display appear curved at the bottom, hinting that the automotive industry is ready to get ahead of flexible display technology.
While the second-generation C-HR will hit the market “soon”, Toyota isn’t saying when it plans to introduce the electric crossover. This tells us that a market launch is unlikely before 2024.
