Electric sedan bZ3, developed by Toyota, revealed in China, incorporates battery and motor technology from BYD.
Toyota's new electric sedan, the bZ3, has made a significant entrance into the Chinese market. The compact electric car, jointly developed with BYD, is built on Toyota's e-TNGA platform and incorporates BYD's Blade battery technology, ensuring a modern and efficient powertrain.
### Affordable and Efficient
In China, the closely related Toyota bZ3X, launched with prices starting at around A$24,000 (approximately USD $16,000-$18,000). If introduced in markets like Australia, estimates suggest it could be priced around $40,000 AUD due to market differences.
### Specifications
The bZ3 offers three lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery sizes—50kWh, 58kWh, and 68kWh. Depending on battery size, ranges are estimated at 430 km, 520 km, and 610 km based on China's CLTC testing cycle (approximately 20% less under the WLTP standard used elsewhere). A single electric motor powers the front wheels, with outputs of 150 kW or 165 kW depending on the variant.
The bZ3 features a sleek exterior with a closed grille optimising aerodynamics, achieving a low drag coefficient of 0.218Cd. It includes a large 14.6-inch central multimedia display and advanced driver display technology. The vehicle is also equipped with advanced self-driving technology, which is a key selling point in China.
### A Success in China
The Toyota bZ3X, a similar model, has seen impressive sales in China, with over 20,000 units delivered and 30,000 orders shortly after launch, making it a "smash hit" in the Chinese market. However, exact global release dates for the bZ3 are not confirmed, and Toyota has not indicated plans to export the bZ3 or bZ3X beyond China yet.
### Summary
The Toyota bZ3 represents a competitively priced, technologically advanced electric sedan designed to penetrate the growing Chinese EV market, leveraging BYD's battery expertise. Its global availability is yet to be announced.
Key Features: - Joint development with BYD - Built on Toyota's e-TNGA platform complemented by BYD's Blade battery technology - Affordable pricing in China (starting from approx. A$24,000 equivalent) - Three LFP battery sizes (50 kWh / 58 kWh / 68 kWh) - Ranges of 430 km / 520 km / 610 km (CLTC testing cycle) - Single electric motor with outputs of 150 kW or 165 kW - Sleek sedan design with a low drag coefficient of 0.218Cd - Advanced self-driving technology - Currently available only in China; no confirmed global release
- The electric vehicle industry is witnessing the entry of Toyota's bZ3, a competitively priced sedan built in collaboration with BYD, in the Chinese market.
- Toyota's new offering showcases BYD's Blade battery technology, a key feature that ensures an efficient powertrain across battery sizes.
- In the Chinese market, the bZ3 is priced affordably, starting around A$24,000, while introduced in markets like Australia, it might be priced around $40,000 AUD.
- The electric vehicle comes with three lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery sizes, offering ranges of up to 610 km based on the China's CLTC testing cycle.
- With a single electric motor and outputs of 150 kW or 165 kW, the bZ3 demonstrates impressive performance and is equipped with advanced aerodynamics and multimedia display technology.
- Self-driving technology, a preferred feature in China, is incorporated into the vehicle, making it a desirable choice for the market.
- The electric vehicle has witnesses great success in the Chinese market with over 20,000 units sold and 30,000 pre-orders shortly after launch, making it a "smash hit".
- Global availability of the Toyota bZ3 is yet to be announced, as the company has not indicated plans to export the vehicle beyond China.
