The Toyota bZ3 officially debuts as the second model in the brand’s new electric model family. This four-door EV was first launched for the Chinese market and comes from a collaboration with BYD and FAW Toyota.
The bZ3 retains the chiseled nose and upward sweeping light markings of the bZ4X. Toyota describes this as taking inspiration from the hammerhead shark and being a style cue for all models in the bZ family. The sedan has a flowing roofline that contrasts with the heavily wrinkled rear fenders. The body drag coefficient is 0.218 lean.
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Inside, the bZ3 has what Toyota calls a “Digital Island” infotainment layout. The tall, portrait-oriented infotainment screen dominates the center stack. It handles HVAC, stereo, and even trunk release. A button on the console controls the drive settings. The driver sees a low-profile digital instrument cluster.
The BZ3 will be able to cover a distance of more than 373 miles (600 kilometers) based on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle. BYD will supply the model lithium iron phosphate battery. Planned capacity is not yet available, but it is suspected to retain 90 percent capacity after 10 years. Cooling monitoring, control and safety systems are new elements for this EV.
The Toyota bZ3 announcement did not elaborate on the model’s powertrain specifications. Based on Previous info from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, there will be 178-horsepower (133-kilowatt) and 238-hp (178-kW) options. Top speed is limited to 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour).
The table below shows the physical dimensions of the bZ3:
| Length | 186 inches (4,725 millimeters) |
| Wheelbase | 113.4 inches (2,880 mm) |
| Wide | 72.24 inches (1,835 mm) |
| Tall | 58.07 inches (1,475 mm) |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
FAW Toyota will manufacture the bZ3 in China and will sell the vehicle at its dealerships there. According to a report in September, Toyota is likely to sell the electric sedan in Europe from as early as 2024. There’s no word yet on availability in the United States.
Toyota is working on the entire bZ model family. According to company plan, at least six electric models riding the e-TNGA platform are on the way. The initial strategy was to introduce compact cars, medium crossovers, medium sedans, medium minivans, medium SUVs, and large SUVs.
