Two new Toyota electric-car concepts unveiled, showroom versions next year

The world’s largest automaker has revealed a pair of concept cars previewing two of the 10 electric vehicles it plans to introduce by 2026 – but they will initially be exclusive to China.

Japanese car giant Toyota has revealed two new electric-car concepts at the Shanghai motor show, ahead of production versions bound for showrooms next year.

However, the SUVs – known in concept form as the BZ Sport Crossover and BZ FlexSpace – will be developed in China, and initially be produced and sold there exclusively.

Toyota Australia has previously expressed plans to introduce three electric vehicles by 2026, though only one of these has been named, the BZ4X mid-size SUV due in local showrooms close to the end of this year.

The two concept vehicles unveiled at the Shanghai motor show this week appear to draw cues from vehicles shown by Toyota as part of 16 battery-powered concept cars in December 2021.

The BZ Sport Crossover concept is a sleek, coupe-styled SUV with elements from the BZ Compact SUV concept shown in 2021 – and the closer-to-production concept of the same name revealed last year – though with a longer body and roofline.

Toyota’s media bulletin for the concept describes “active and distinctive styling”, “functions to provide a personal space for the younger customers”, and over-the-air updates for “intelligent features such as driver assistance and automatic parking”.

The Sport Crossover’s interior is nearly identical to the second Compact SUV concept, with a slim steering wheel, dual curved displays, and minimalist switches.

However, the Shanghai concept adds red upholstery instead of black, and LED light strips on the upper door cards.

Meanwhile, the FlexSpace looks to draw cues from the BZ Large SUV concept of 2021, seen in body ‘surfacing’ along the side of the vehicle, and the profile – though there are differences, such as the side window line after the rear doors.

Toyota describes the concept as offering “a large cabin space, ease of use, advanced safety, a reliable cruising range, as well as various intelligent functions,” with a white and pale green interior home to semi-transparent screens, a slim steering wheel, and plants on the dashboard.

The production version of the BZ Sport Crossover is being developed by a joint venture between Toyota, one of its Chinese joint venture partners FAW, and Chinese electric-car giant BYD – which has already worked with Toyota on the BZ3 electric sedan unveiled last year.

BYD supplied its ‘Blade’ battery pack design for the BZ3, which is said to be less susceptible to overheating and catching fire – in what is known as “thermal runaway” – after being punctured compared to a traditional battery.

Meanwhile, the FlexSpace is being designed by Toyota and its other Chinese joint-venture partner GAC, with no BYD input.

Toyota says the production versions of these vehicles are scheduled to be ” launched in the Chinese market in 2024″. No mention is made of export plans to other markets, from the factory in China where they will be built.

They are two of the 10 new electric vehicles Toyota has announced plans to introduce by 2026 – ahead of a next-generation of electric Toyota and Lexus vehicles on all-new underpinnings from that date.

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