AutoBeta(AutoBeta.net)10/25 Report--

On October 25th, FAW Toyota bZ4X officially launched five models, namely, two-wheel drive progressive version, two-wheel drive smooth version, two-wheel drive free version, four-wheel drive free version and four-wheel drive free PRO version, with a price range of 19.98-287800 yuan. According to previous reports, the bZ4X is the first pure electric SUV strategically launched by Toyota Electric. The new car is handed over to FAW Toyota and Guangzhou Automobile Toyota. The two models are sister models to each other. The new car is based on e-TNGA architecture, positioning medium-sized pure electric SUV, and will provide both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive power. Prior to this, Guangzhou Auto Toyota bZ4X was the first to appear on the market, and the new car also launched five models with a price range of 19.98-287800 yuan.

In terms of power, FAW Toyota bZ4X will provide two power forms of front-drive and four-wheel drive, the maximum power of the front-drive version is 150kW (204Ps), and the maximum power of the motor before and after the four-wheel drive version is 80kW (109Ps). In terms of battery life, the front-drive model CLTC condition comprehensive range 615km, four-wheel drive model CLTC condition comprehensive range 560km.

However, FAW Toyota bZ4X is not the focus of today's introduction, but another electric vehicle-FAW Toyota bZ3. On Oct. 24, FAW Toyota bZ3 made its debut, the new car is Toyota's all-electric medium-sized car and the second bZ series model to be made in the near future. The new car is based on the e-TNGA platform and uses BYD's motors and batteries.

In December 2021, Toyota unveiled 15 new electric vehicles, including a bZ SDN concept car, a prototype of FAW Toyota bZ3. In August 2022, FAW Toyota bZ3 completed the declaration in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, confirming the use of BYD batteries and motors. October 2022-the new car finally makes its debut. It can be said that bZ3 is a tripartite cooperation product, that is, Toyota, BYD, FAW Toyota.

In terms of appearance, the new car basically continues the styling design of bZ SDN concept cars, using the design elements of Toyota bZ series models. As a pure electric vehicle, the new car uses a closed intake grille layout while retaining the design of the lower intake grille. In addition, the new car is equipped with the popular through-type LED lamp group, and the matrix arrangement is adopted in the interior of the headlights on both sides.

On the side of the body, the shape of the new car is relatively strong, and it is also equipped with the hidden door handle commonly used by electric vehicles. it is worth noting that the position of the rear triangular window is very back, almost connected to the rear, which can ensure the permeability of the rear passengers. In the rear part, the through taillight shape also continues the previous bZ4X design, the light sources on both sides have made special shape treatment, and there are a large number of triangular geometric LED light sources on the V-shaped light strips on both sides, which looks more recognizable. In terms of size, the length, width and height of the new car are 4725/1835/1475mm, wheelbase is 2880mm, positioning medium-sized pure electric car, body size is smaller than Camry and crown, closer to Lexus IS.

In terms of interior decoration, the new car has changed Toyota's conservative style and adopted a new layout, which is officially called DIGITAL ISLAND (Digital Island) design concept. Specifically, the new car is equipped with a vertical central control large screen, which can realize the touch operation of air conditioning, audio, car window, trunk and other functions, the steering wheel adopts the online flat style, has a more sense of the future, and the knob-shaped shift mechanism looks very technical. it is also in line with the current design trend.

In terms of power, the new car's battery and motor are provided by BYD's Fudi, in which the battery uses lithium iron phosphate battery, a rear single motor layout, and provides high and low power versions for consumers to choose from, respectively, 135kw and 180kw. In terms of service life, officials say it will surpass the 600km.

As a pure electric medium-sized sedan, the Model 3, which has just reduced its price, is undoubtedly a strong rival. Yesterday, Tesla Chinese official announced that Model 3 and Model Y of Tesla in Chinese mainland area dropped 1.4-18000 yuan and 2.0-37000 yuan respectively. In the field of electric vehicles, Toyota is still a new player, brand awareness is far less than Tesla, even with the blessing of BYD. In addition, BYD Seal, a distant relative, is also a competitor, compared with BYD Seal, which is also slightly better than BYD Seal, regardless of body size or technology integration.

Although Toyota boss Akio Toyoda has repeatedly blasted electrification, Toyota, as a profit-making company, has had to follow the market to make changes. On December 14, 2021, Toyota held a press conference at which 17 pure electric vehicles were displayed and a series of strategic target data were released at the same time. Toyota proposes that Toyota new energy vehicles will account for 75% of total sales in 2030, strive to sell 3.5 million vehicles a year, invest 4 trillion yen (224 billion yuan) in pure electric in 2030, and launch 30 new pure electric vehicles by 2030. In addition, Lexus will become a pure electric brand, achieving 100% pure electric in Europe, North America and China, and the goal will be extended to the world by 2035.

However, according to the latest report from Reuters, Toyota is considering updating its electric vehicle strategy, and Toyota has set up a working group to outline how to improve the existing electric vehicle platform or implement a new architecture by early next year. At the same time, Toyota has suspended some of its plans to launch 30 electric vehicles by 2030, which it announced in December. Suspended projects include Toyota compact cruisers and battery electric car crowns. In addition, Toyota is considering launching a follow-up to the basic technology of electric vehicles called e-TNGA in 2019, which will allow Toyota to reduce costs.

Toyota reassessed its electric vehicle strategy in part because some Toyota engineers and executives realized that Toyota had lost to Tesla in the factory cost war for electric vehicles, according to people familiar with the matter. Toyota's plan is to assume that demand for electric cars will not take off for decades. Shigeki Terashi, Toyota's former chief competition officer, led the effort, according to six people familiar with the matter.

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