The new Toyota bZ Compact SUV Concept made its global debut at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show recently.
The car will extend the company’s electrified vision and follows its announcement last year of plans to offer 30 battery electric vehicles by 2030.
Toyota says the bZ Compact SUV Concept is fully electric, and represents “a vehicle with zero emissions, utilising low-impact, sustainable materials, that also brings dynamic performance, leading tech, and a stylish appearance”.
Other features include eco-friendly seating made from plant-based and recycled materials, as well as an “in-car personal assistant” that responds to requests or commands from front or rear passengers through audio and visual lighting cues.
More information on this concept will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Toyota prototype Hilux
Toyota has also begun development of a prototype hydrogen fuel cell version of its iconic Hilux pick-up.
Having successfully applied for zero-emissions vehicle development funding last year from the UK Government, Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK ) Ltd will lead a consortium of highly skilled UK-based technical engineering partners.
The project’s aim is to adopt second generation Toyota fuel cell components (as used in the latest Toyota Mirai ) for the transformation of a Hilux into a fuel cell electric vehicle.
The initial prototype Hilux vehicles will be produced at the TMUK site near Derby throughout 2023.
While Toyota in the UK is leading the project, a team from Toyota Motor Europe research and development will provide expert technical support to enable the UK-based teams to build its own expertise and self-sufficiency for the development of this next generation hydrogen drivetrain.
