Toyota and Subaru joined hands in June 2019 to co-develop a dedicated EV platform. After around two years, we are going to see the first fruit of their labor. In about a week, the world will see a zero-emission electric vehicle at the 2021 Shanghai Motor Show. It will be an electric SUV and it will be from Toyota. The Subaru’s offering will come later, supposedly sporting “Evoltis” nameplate.
Toyota has just released a teaser video showcasing its all-electric SUV, which will be part of Toyota’s “Beyond Zero” sub-brand. As you can see in the image, the blue Toyota emblem shows it is an electrified version. And because it doesn’t have a typical front grille, we can safely say it doesn’t possess a combustion engine. A low grille adds to its functional design and is there to allow the air to get inside and cool the EV-related components.
Earlier known to be “very European in the DNA and design,” the Japanese automaker’s electric SUV will employ the e-TNGA platform and will be a midsize utility vehicle. Of note, the Toyota’s electric SUV we will see at the Auto Shanghai will not be the production model. It is a concept, so the automaker will likely make changes for it to be more acceptable in the current EV market.
What will be interested for us to see is Toyota’s decision to carry things forward from this concept. Interestingly, it is the first of six the brand has planned to introduce by 2030. Toyota also has intentions to co-create a small compact car in association with Suzuki / Daihatsu as well as a midsize crossover, minivan, sedans and a big utility vehicle. All these will carry exclusive names unrelated to the existing models to further indicate the brand’s zero-emission strategy.
Once Toyota’s electric SUV breaks cover on April 19, it will likely hit the European roads by 2023, as per a comment by Toyota Europe’s sales and marketing chief, Matt Harrison. He hinted at it during a talk with Automotive News Europe in December 2020.
It would have been great to know a little about Toyota’s electric SUV. We do not even have any rumors to suppose anything. What we know is that it will ride on the e-TNGA platform that is capable of spawning front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive configurations in addition to various types of electric motors and battery capacities (from 50 kWh to 100 kWh).
Planned to be created in its home market first, the SUV will be a pioneer in the new breed of EVs, joining the 2nd-gen Mirai, the Lexus UX 300e, and the Proace van.
Source and Images: Motor1