One of the busiest news days for Toyota in quite some time has seen the Japanese company hand its first full electric Sport Utility Vehicle its European debut, pull the covers off a new medium-sized family crossover, and surprise everyone by fitting a hydrogen-fuelled combustion engine to its driver-focused GR Yaris.
On display at Toyota’s European Kenshiki forum, the company said: “The presentations demonstrate the strength of Toyota’s multi-technology roadmap towards achieving carbon neutrality, including the fifth-generation of its self-charging full hybrid electric system, its first purpose-built battery electric vehicle, and a hydrogen combustion engine fitted to a GR Yaris.”
bZ4X ELECTRIC SUV
Set to be launched next year, the bZ4X is Toyota’s first pure EV. Capable of travelling distances of up to 280-miles on a single charge of its 71.4kWh battery, it will be offered as a four-wheel-drive family SUV, with this made possible by placing an 80kW electric motor on both the front and rear axles. Developed in partnership with Subaru, the set-up promises “class-leading off-road handling and performance”. A less powerful front-wheel-drive bZX4 has also been confirmed; its 150kW e-motor develops 201bhp for a 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds and a 100mph top speed.
GR86 COUPE
Developed by Gazoo Racing – Toyota’s in-house competition arm – the GR86 coupe is set to have a very short shelf life thanks to ever tightening emissions legislation. As part of Toyota’s tie-up with Subaru, the sports car is powered by a 2.4-litre boxer engine that develops 231bhp. Those thinking of placing an order should know that the 6-speed manual can hit 62mph from a standing start in 6.3 seconds and has a 140mph top speed compared to the automatic, which takes 6.9 seconds to reach 62mph before topping out at 134mph. Customers can also choose from two wheel sizes: 17-inch, 10-spoke machined rims are standard with 18-inch black-coloured alloys optional.
COROLLA CROSS SUV
Toyota’s SUV offensive continues with the Corolla Cross – a vehicle that completes its five-model crossover portfolio that comprises the CH-R, Yaris Cross, RAV4, Highlander and Land Cruiser. UK deliveries of the petrol-electric vehicle, which is being built in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, is set to begin next Autumn. Front-drive models are powered by a 2-litre, 195bhp hybrid powertrain that can sprint from 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds The ‘ADW-i’ version bolts a 41bhp e-motor onto the back axle, with this powering the two back tyres “when required to provide greater traction and driving confidence in low-grip conditions”, says Toyota.
GR YARIS H2
This lighter, modified version of the all-wheel-drive Yaris GR runs entirely on hydrogen fuel, with water the only by-product from its exhaust. A concept for now, Toyota hopes to roll out the cleaner technology to its road cars in the not-too-distant future if there is sufficient demand for it. “The hydrogen combustion engine technology is still in the early stages of conceptual development and experimentation, having started in 2017, and is not yet ready for commercialisation,” the company said.
YARIS GR SPORT
Toyota is expanding its ‘GR Sport’ portfolio with the introduction of the new Yaris GR Sport – a less hardcore version of the four-wheel-drive, rally-inspired Yaris GR. Due to be launched in the second quarter of next year, the Ford Fiesta ST-Line and Volkswagen Polo R rival features a “retuned suspension and enhanced body rigidity for sportier handling”. Powered by a 1.5-litre hybrid petrol and using a CVT transmission, the GR Sport will be differentiated by 18-inch alloys with machined red highlights, a new mesh grille and T-shaped rear diffuser. Inside, there is new seat upholstery with contrast red stitching, GR logos and fresh gun metal silver trim.
