Toyota will next year reveal a new battery-electric SUV, which will be the brand’s first model built on its next-generation BEV platform, kick-starting what will be a fast-expanding range of electric vehicles.
This unnamed mid-sized battery-electric SUV will be based on Toyota’s forthcoming e-TNGA platform. It describes the platform as both highly versatile and easily adaptable for a range of product types. The basic architecture principle is that a number of key elements remain fixed whilst others vary. This approach allows variance in vehicle width, length, wheelbase and height.
e-TNGA can also be defined with front, rear or four-wheel drive and with a wide-range of battery and electric motor capacities to suit various vehicle types and usage profiles. By using this versatile approach, the development time of different product variants can be reduced, and individual models can be developed in parallel.
While only a stylised silhouette and details of the platform architecture have been released to date, more details are due to be released in the coming months, Toyota says.
Toyota says the first e-TNGA based model has already been developed and is being readied for production. Manufacturing will take place at Toyota’s ZEV Factory in Japan.
“The forthcoming Battery Electric SUV is another exciting step in our electrification journey and a prime example of our brand promise ‘Built for a Better World’.
“As world leaders in both low emission self-charging hybrids, and negative emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicles such as the recently announced second generation Mirai, the addition of a new BEV to the Toyota portfolio is very much in line with our strategy to tackle sustainable motoring from all angles.
“We believe there is no silver bullet when it comes to creating a cleaner environment and are relentlessly focused on ensuring we have a wide range of options to suit differing consumer needs and driving conditions.
“Toyota looks forward to previewing the all-new mid-sized SUV in the coming months. The versatility and flexibility of e-TNGA technology allows us to design and create vehicles that are not just battery-electric, but also exciting to drive and beautiful to look at.
“Toyota believes this new model will offer another attractive option for Irish families,” Steve Tormey, CEO of Toyota Ireland, said.
