Toyota Sport Crossover confirmed for Europe
Sleek electric fastback co-developed with BYD to launch in Europe by 2025, possibly badged as the Toyota bZ5CThe production version of the Toyota Sport Crossover concept has been confirmed for European release in 2025 as one of six Toyota EVs due on sale there by 2026, following its public debut at the 2023 Shanghai motor show in April.
Formerly known as the Toyota bZ Sport Crossover, the upcoming electric fastback is being developed primarily for the Chinese and European markets by the BYD Toyota EV Technology joint-venture, and will be aimed at younger Gen Z buyers looking for a bit more sex appeal in their new EV.
The car’s “sleek aero silhouette and distinctive fastback lines” make it as something of a Polestar 2 and Kia EV6 rival, given it’s still being pitched as an SUV, we have no clue about its mechanical make-up or how it compares to those existing EVs.
The same goes for what the ‘design flagship’ will be called, though the smart money is on the bZ5C nameplate – which just so happens to be pending trademark approval locally – since it appears to be at least as big as the bZ4X and more of a coupe crossover.
“It will provide an attractive proposition for first-time electric car customers and a stylish alternative to SUVs,” Toyota said.
“It offers maximum comfort combined with the practicality of five doors, a large boot and generous rear leg room.”
Chinese development and production should ensure a relatively low asking price in comparison with some of its eventual Euro-sourced rivals, but it remains to be seen whether the Sport Crossover represents better value than the popular Chinese-built Polestar 2 or Korean-made EV6.
The car’s European debut came in tandem with the 2024 Toyota Urban SUV concept, which will act as the entry-point to Toyota Europe’s electric portfolio and provide consumers with an electric alternative to the Yaris Cross.
Odds are the Sport Crossover’s production derivative will be one of the last Toyota EVs launched without solid-state batteries, since the brand’s European boss Andrea Carlucci is forecasting “2027-2028” as the release timing for the game-changing EV hardware.
“We have made a technological breakthrough that overcomes the long-standing challenge of solid-state battery durability,” he said.
“A method for mass production is currently being developed and we are striving for commercialisation in 2027-2028 with production capacity of several tens of thousands of vehicles.”
The lead-up to the release of solid-state batteries will be paved by a series of other EV advances from Toyota, which said the new battery tech will offer double the driving range of the current hardware in the bZ4X, as well as a 20 per cent cost reduction.
This will in turn be followed by a lithium-ion phosphate unit that’s tipped to add a further 20 per cent to the bZ4X’s range, while reducing costs by 40 per cent.
“The third battery to be introduced will focus on high performance using bipolar technologies and a high nickel cathode. Even lower costs and a further extended driving range are expected,” Toyota said.
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