Hotter Toyota bZ4X GR Sport under consideration
Off-road EV hero is part of Toyota’s electric SUV expansion planA high-performance off-road version of the new 2024 Toyota bZ4X mid-size electric SUV is under consideration for development.
Potentially named the GR Sport, it is one of a number of options to expand the line-up of Toyota’s first battery-electric vehicle to go on sale in Australia, but crucially it is the favourite of bZ4X chief engineer Masaya Uchiyama.
Other potential model lines that could be developed within the lifespan of the first-generation bZ4X include a cheaper and more economical variant and a road-focussed hot hatch-style GR flagship.
“I like to go the off-road performance side,” Uchiyama told carsales at this week’s bZ4X Australian launch.
“It’s one option to have a high-performance bZ4X. It would probably be a bZ4X GR S like HiLux GR Sport.
“We are studying in the model life, but I cannot say when or how right now.”
A Toyota bZ4X GR Sport makes sense given Uchiyama’s own close association with off-road vehicles including the new LandCruiser Prado 250 Series and HiLux during his career, combined with Toyota’s recognition of the performance potential of EVs.
“We are positive about EVs because actually performance-wise the EV has a very good point,” said Uchiyama. “As a car the EV is very interesting for Toyota as a performance device.”
GR – or Gazoo Racing – is the official tuning arm of Toyota Motor Corporation. All its models are currently internal combustion. In Australia the line-up includes the GR86, GR Supra, GR Yaris and GR Corolla.
The first electric GR is due in 2026.
The HiLux GR Sport isn’t as highly modified as the GR models, but the flagship ute still gets a power-up for its 2.8-litre diesel engine, an uprated chassis and both interior and exterior cosmetic changes.
That delivers driving improvements both off-road and on-road, which Uchiyama clearly fancies could be applied to the bZ4X.
“I am very excited to see what I can choose,” he said.
Based on Toyota’s e-TNGA BEV platform, the all-wheel drive version of the bZ4X delivers relatively modest 160kW/337Nm outputs and accelerates from 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.9 seconds.
Its off-road credentials are aided by 212mm of ground clearance (the front-drive base model has 182mm), X-Mode off-road driving modes and downhill assist control.
In an attempt to demonstrate the bZ4X’s off-road prowess, the drive program for the media launch in Canberra included rocky and steep gravel sections in the Brindabella Ranges.
Uchiyama is a former chief engineer of the new Prado 250 Series and insists the bZ4X is actually a better off-roader in some circumstances.
“Prado has linear good feeling but you have time lag,” he said. “When you put the acceleration you have time lag and then have torque. But bZ4X [reacts] instantly.
“On a medium off-road course you can feel more peace of mind than Prado – easy driving.”
The expansion of the bZ4X line-up will come as part of the annual model updates scheduled for the rest of the first generation’s life.
Uchiyama confirmed it will not be superseded until some time after 2026, when an all-new EV platform and generation of batteries is introduced.
“We cannot make bZ4X instantly from the 2026, we need to use these two platforms to cover the volumes and also the regions,” he said.
“We will keep the bZ4X [first generation] for a while. I cannot say until when.”
While improvements to the bZ4X such as a GR Sport variant serve a commercial purpose, Uchiyama admitted the planned annual updates and changes also added to Toyota’s EV knowledge.
“I think that is one of the bZ4X role – how we can improve the BEV quickly and how we can make that process within Toyota?,” he said.
“We want to feed that process back to the next-generation BEV.”
Toyota and luxury brand Lexus intend to introduce 30 EVs globally by 2030. Toyota Australia intends to add at least two more EVs alongside the bZ4X by the end of 2026.
Related: Electric Toyota LandCruiser soft-roader confirmed
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