Toyota says its experience in battery R&D for more than a quarter of a century will benefit Australian customers of its fully electric bZ4X SUV when it goes on sale in February.
The company says learnings from the manufacture of more than 20 million batteries since the mid-1990s – mostly deployed in hybrid-electric vehicles – were being applied to the bZ4X.
It says the latest examples were enhancements to the bZ4X battery effectiveness, and potentially its real-world range, achieved by lowering power consumption.
Toyota Australia vice president sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley says the bZ4X batteries feature stand-out performance, safety and reliability.
Hanley says advanced features, cutting-edge production techniques and strict quality-control measures set Toyota batteries apart from their rivals.
“Before they are ever fitted to a car, each of the bZ4X batteries undergoes extensive testing – a vital process for confirming battery performance and reliability,” Hanley says.
The latest version of the bZ4X incorporates software changes that conserve battery power by optimally controlling, and reducing the car’s dependence on, the climate-control system.
The revised system now automatically defaults to AUTO (ECO) mode to reduce the amount of power drawn from the car’s battery – a move Toyota says can improve its real-world driving range.
Further power savings are achieved in cooler weather by prioritising heating of the front seats and steering wheel to support the desired ambient temperature.
A humidity sensor also contributes by detecting fogging on the windscreen and more precisely controlling the timing of outside air intake.
Drivers will have access to additional information about the battery state of charge, via a 7.0-inch colour multi-information display.
They can check the estimated time needed to recharge the battery to 80% and view the remaining range based on whether the climate-control system is switched on or off.
Charging times have been shortened in extreme cold weather by as much as 30% due to improved battery warm-up performance.
The bZ4X will be offered in Australia with two set-ups: a 150kW/266Nm single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) and a 160kW/337Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD).
Both versions are equipped with a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery with an AC charging capacity of 11kW and DC charging capacity of 150kW.
A high level of standard features includes LED lights, 20-inch alloy wheels, sports seats with premium fabric and synthetic leather trim, and heated front seats with power adjustment for the driver.
Comfort and convenience appointments include dual-zone climate control, keyless smart entry and start, and a 12.3-inch multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, along with an extensive suite of Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance features.
The AWD versions gain further features including roof rails and spoiler, fixed panoramic roof, heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats, full synthetic leather trim, wireless phone charger4, JBL premium audio system and X-Mode off-tarmac drive system with Snow/Dirt, Deep Snow/Mud, and Grip Control modes.
Further details will be announced when the bZ4X arrives in local dealerships in February 2024.
