(Elbil24): Toyota is a couple of steps closer to new models, and we have already seen some of what will be the selection for Europe going forward. In Beijing, Toyota showed off two models that are definitely part of the program, but only one of them is relevant for Europe and Norway.
The car is currently known as the bZ3, and was shown at the Shanghai motor show a year ago, later in Tokyo in November.
Perhaps the most interesting car is nevertheless a kind of mini SUV, which was shown during the recently concluded car fair in Beijing, where Elbil24 was present.
It is clear that Toyota makes several cars based on the same platform, but with different bodies mounted on this platform. Because while the car that was previously called bZ3 is now called bZ3C, for Coupé, this mini-SUV has been named bZ3X, for crossover.
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Great format
In practice, it looks more like a high-rise station wagon, and it is precisely the format that makes this a very interesting car for Europe, not just Norway. With the upright stern, in the form of a standing tailgate, the stage is set for good luggage space at the very back. In addition, there is still plenty of room for rear seat passengers and those in front.
We also see it down in Europe, that taxi drivers are very happy with this format, apart from us Norwegians, then.
Elbil24 was in Paris a little earlier this year, and spoke to a number of Über drivers. We asked if they had a special deal with Toyota, as most drove station wagons with Toyota hybrid drive. The answer was quite clear. They were the only cars that lasted, and the cheapest. They would not take French cars.
It remains to be seen whether this tone will continue when they are one day forced to drive electrically, but the format cannot be swept under the rug anyway. Because the one called bZ3X would suit us very well.
Toyota bZ3X. Photo: Fred Magne Skillebæk.
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Norwegian models
The fact that it is uncertain whether the car will come to Europe is due to the fact that it is primarily produced in China, for China, and is made in the partnership Toyota has with Chinese FAW and GAC. In China, the proportion of electric cars sold is now over 50 per cent, and in the big cities you hardly see anything other than electric cars. Then a manufacturer like Toyota cannot be without alternatives to offer.
The car that is now presented as the bZ3X was previously shown as the bZ FlexSpace Concept, while the car that is now called the bZ3C derives from the bZ Sport Crossover Concept.
Toyota bZ3C. Photo: Fred Magne Skillebæk.
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In Norway, however, we have to deal with the stated plans from Toyota. This means that the latter, which in China is called bZ3C, will come together with a b-segment SUV reserved for our market.
The latter will really fit in well, as it is raised to the right, in the b-segment – i.e. not too big – and it will, by all accounts, end up in a price range that suits us well.
The production model of the Urban SUV will offer two battery options with different capacities. It is set up with a length of 4.3 metres, 1.82 meters in width and is 1.62 meters high.
This will go on sale before the end of the year, and will be on the market by 2026, which in practice means next year. Then we’d rather enjoy the cars that actually arrive, rather than reminisce about all the cars we should have had.
What the child will be called when it arrives remains to be seen, both for the b-SUV, but also for the one called bZ3C in China.
