Toyota bZ7 details firm as Tesla Model S rival

FOLLOWING its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year, the Toyota bZ7 has this week been officially unveiled in China.

Produced in China as part of a joint venture with GAC-Toyota, the all-electric bZ7 measures 5130mm in length, 1965mm in width, and 1506mm in height, making it similar in size to Tesla’s Model S.

Like that model, the bZ7 also boasts a range of smartphone-controlled features and self-driving capabilities, the Toyota model created in partnership with Xiaomi, Momenta, and Huawei.

The Toyota bZ7 can not only be remotely accessed from an owner’s smartphone but can control connected features in an owner’s home directly from the car. Dubbed Himan x Car x Home technology, the Xiaomi system can turn on the air-conditioning or heat, the lights, or any smart-home feature you desire before you reach the driveway.

Like vehicles from Polestar and Volvo, the Toyota bZ7 also features a LiDAR system on the forward edge of the roof, which is used to provide communication with Moment’s 6.0 self-driving software. Expected to arrive on higher trim grades, the functionality allows similar ‘hands off’ driving to that of the competition, enabling the vehicle to operate semi-autonomously.

Familiar styling cues include Toyota’s signature C-shaped LED daytime running lights, and Hammerhead frontal mask. The body features a fastback-style profile with frameless doors and flush-mounted door handles, all riding on 21-inch wheels and 3020mm wheelbase, while at the rear we find a full-width LED lightbar topped by a subtle spoiler.

But for Toyota buyers it’s the cabin that is arguably the largest step change from the current range. The minimalist design and Scandi-like décor is both elegant and attractive. The dashboard features a ‘floating’ infotainment screen, a trapezoidal digital instrumentation panel, three-spoke steering wheel, wireless charging pad, LED ambient cabin lighting, electronic door handles, and concise controls for secondary functions.

Set to go on sale in China later this year, the specifications for the latest member of the ‘Beyond Zero’ family are still to be revealed. However, GoAuto understands it will be offered with a single electric motor producing 207kW drawing power from a CALB Tech-sourced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

The bZ7 joins the Toyota-branded bZ4X, bZ3, bZ3X, and bZ5, and related, Lexus-branded ES, UX, and RZ battery electric vehicles, all of which share similar levels or technology.

Toyota says it is committed to product- and region-centred management with “the aim of making ever-better cars”.

In developing powertrain systems to achieve carbon neutrality, it says various types of mobility are being rolled out as part of Toyota's multi-pathway approach, offering electrified vehicle options tailored to the customer needs in each country and region around the world.

Right-hand drive production has not been confirmed for any of the models mentioned in this article.