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Toyota’s new samurai-styled, Camry-sized electric sedan has been leaked by the Chinese government
Toyota’s top secret 182kW rear-drive electric BZ3 has broken cover in China.
A joint-venture with Chinese automaker BYD, the Toyota BZ3 sedan is roughly Camry-sized and expected to go on sale in China at the end of this year, reports Car News China.
While Toyota has not officially revealed the car, leaked images from a Chinese government website reveal a sexy, aerodynamically-styled sedan with more than a little bit of GR86 DNA. The production version stays somewhat true to the styling of the BZ SDN concept car revealed last year.
Automakers must supply details and imagery of upcoming models to the Chinese government prior to launching in the Chinese market, which in this case has caught Toyota out.
The BZ3 is one of seven new electric Toyota models due to be launched globally by 2025, the first of which was the BZ4X crossover SUV.
Details are scarce, but Car News China reports the BZ3 will use a BYD lithium iron phosphate Blade battery pack of yet-to-be-confirmed size. An electric motor drives the rear wheels and will be available in 136kW and 182kW outputs. Car News China reports that top speed will be limited to 160km/h on both models, with the base vehicle receiving 16-inch wheels to the top spec’s 18s.
Kerb weight is expected to be a relatively lithe – for an electric vehicle – 1835kg.
With a length of 4725mm, width 1835mm, height 1475mm and a 2880mm wheelbase, the BZ3 is 160mm shorter than a 2022 Camry, but thanks to more compact overhangs has a 55mm longer wheelbase. Compared to the unconfirmed BZ3 dimensions, the 2022 Camry is 5mm wider and 30mm lower.
The BZ3 is built on Toyota’s e-TNGA architecture and uses electric vehicle technology purchased from BYD. The first vehicle on the e-TNGA platform is Subaru’s Solterra crossover. In Subaru-speak the platform is known as e-Subaru Global Platform, or e-SGP.
Built by FAW Toyota in Tianjin, China, the BZ3 is expected to be officially unveiled at the Guangzhou motor show in November. Chinese pricing is yet to be announced.
Chasing Cars contacted Toyota Australia for comment.
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