Honda has unveiled and released a new version of the Fit in China

“Toyota unveils its new “”compact SUV”” for the first time! Prius-like face! Designers talk

Why Toyota Unveiled a Compact SUV Electric Car in LA
　The LA Auto Show, which has been held at the Los Angeles Convention Center since November 17, 2022, has been attracting many exhibits from concept EVs, soon-to-be-market EVs, and EV makers that Japan has never heard of.
　
　Among them, Toyota unveiled for the first time in the U.S. the “”TOYOTA bZ Compact SUV Concept,”” the third model in the bZ series, a new electric vehicle lineup.
　
　What are the features of this model? We spoke to a local driver about it.

Does it look like the new Prius? See the super cool “”bZ Compact SUV”” in 23 images.

Does it look like the new Prius? The U-shaped headlights are novel! The “”bZ Compact SUV”” unveiled to the public (Photo by Hiroto Kato)

　The author (Kumiko Kato) visited the LA Auto Show again in 2021 to cover the show, and again, EVs were the main exhibits of each company.

　California has had strict emission regulations since the 1970s and still has its own emission standards, which may be due to its historical background.

　It is also known as the area with the highest EV rate in the United States.

　In addition, Tesla, Lucid, and Livian, which are emerging EV manufacturers, were all born in California.

　The state is also famous for its high gasoline prices, which are among the highest in the U.S., and the shift to electrification is proceeding at a strong pace in the state as a whole.

　This trend has led to a large number of EVs being exhibited at the LA Auto Show every year, and especially in recent years, manufacturers have been exhibiting many innovative and ambitious EVs in preparation for the rapid shift to electrification.

　The Toyota booth at the LA Auto Show was also lined with the latest hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, including the recently announced new Prius.

　The main attraction in this space was the “”Toyota bZ Compact SUV”” concept model.

　The Toyota bZ Compact SUV is a concept model that is designed to be a hybrid vehicle,”” said David Christ, Vice President and General Manager of the Toyota Group.

The bZ Compact SUV demonstrates another possible vision for the very near future of our battery electric vehicles with its aerodynamic design combined with intuitive technical features never before seen in a Toyota model.””

　The bZ Compact SUV is also presented as a fun-to-drive EV with “”exhilarating performance”” and distinctive styling.

　The exterior design of the bZ Compact SUV is all aerodynamic, and the sharp overhangs and smoothly sloping windshield also help keep the drag coefficient (CD value) fairly low.

　For aerodynamic drag and aggressive styling, the four tires are placed in the corners whenever possible.

* * *

　The person in charge of overseeing the design of the bZ Compact SUV was at the event, so we asked him about it.

　The person in charge is Koichi Matsumoto, General Manager of ZEV Design 2 Group, Vision Design Department, Car Development Center, Toyota Motor Corporation.

— How is the Toyota bZ Compact SUV positioned?

　Toyota’s bZ series is a series of electric vehicles.

　The bZ4X is the first production model. As long as we call ourselves a “”series,”” Toyota wants to have a full lineup of vehicles, from large to small.

　The bZ4X is a smaller model than the bZ4X, so we have given it the name “”Compact SUV””.

　As a part of our efforts, we decided to exhibit a compact SUV at this year’s show.

　We hope that more people will become familiar with and drive electric vehicles.

— The Toyota bZ Compact SUV was among the 16 BEVs unveiled at Toyota’s “”BEV Strategy Presentation”” at the MegaWeb in December 2021, wasn’t it?

　Yes, it was.

　The concept model that was unveiled at that time has been brushed up in various areas as a prerequisite for production, and is now being exhibited at the LA Auto Show.

　We are still in the process of planning the production version, so we are still considering various aspects. Toyota unveils its new “”compact SUV”” for the first time! Prius-like face! Designers talk about the appeal of the “”bZ Compact SUV

What was important in the design of the bZ Compact SUV? A Direct Interview with the Person in Charge
　The bZ Compact SUV is part of Toyota’s bZ series. Mr. Koichi Matsumoto, mentioned above, had the following to say.

— What are the key points of the design?

　I think what Japanese users are most concerned about when it comes to electric vehicles is the “”cost of electricity,”” in other words, the cruising range per charge.

What happens when the batteries run out? In Japan, where the recharging infrastructure is still underdeveloped, I think this is the biggest concern.

　I believe this is also the reason why people have negative impressions of electric vehicles.

　Exterior design and overall silhouette also have a large impact on cruising range.

　A design with low aerodynamic drag is a must to improve electric power costs, so we focused on this aspect.

— The CD value seems to be quite low. How low is it?

　Yes, it is. The value has not been disclosed, but it is in the low 0.2 range. It is very difficult to gain distance unless you aim for that level.

The rear of the “”bZ Compact SUV”” also has an innovative design (photo by Hiroto Kato).

— So, the design was done with that much in mind in order to improve fuel economy.

　Of course, many people are concerned about fuel economy in gasoline-powered cars as well, but when gasoline runs low, they can simply fill up at a nearby gas station. With electric vehicles, however, it is not so easy to recharge the battery.

　It is especially difficult if the battery runs out of power when the car is out on the road, and recharging itself takes time.

　We would like to reduce the negative image of electric cars by improving the cost of electricity as much as possible.

　If there were chargers everywhere, as in Los Angeles or San Francisco, and if the entire city were to shift to electricity, there would be no problem.

I would like to convey to users a sense of security that they can drive a car as far as a gasoline-powered car.

–I would like to convey the message to users that they can drive as far as a gasoline-powered car.

　This is a personal opinion, but I believe that the styling of a car needs to express its function in a clear form.

　In the case of electric vehicles, one of the important functions is to have low aerodynamic drag.

　I believe that it is our job as designers to give form to function.

* * * *

　The aggressive style of the bZ Compact SUV attracted the attention of many media who visited the booth.

The “”wonderful design that gives a sense of dynamism even when parked,”” and “”highly finished styling that shows the precision and boldness typical of Toyota. We heard comments such as, “”It looks like it could go on the market right away.

　Further information on the bZ Compact SUV will be announced after 2023.”

The Osaka Motor Show 2023, held from December 8th to 11th, showcased the latest automotive marvel from Toyota – the “Prius ROHAN Specification.” This complete car, displayed at the ROHAN booth, takes the already sporty 5th generation Prius to a whole new level with cutting-edge carbon aero parts and an enhanced sporty demeanor.

ROHAN, a renowned custom car shop with a base in Nara Prefecture and branches in Aichi, Mie, Saitama, and Kagawa prefectures, has previously developed complete cars like the Toyota Vellfire, Alphard, Noah, and Boxy, along with various original paints and wrapping sheets. The spotlight of the event was undoubtedly on the 5th generation Prius, drawing a crowd eager to witness the sportier iteration.

What sets the Prius ROHAN Specification apart is its incorporation of original aero parts crafted from carbon, strategically placed on the front, side, rear, and wing. Each component is meticulously designed to complement the vehicle’s body shape, resulting in a visually stunning and aerodynamically optimized masterpiece. The carbon parts not only contribute to the car’s sporty appeal but also elevate its overall aesthetic.

The car’s exterior is further enhanced with meticulous painting, presenting a black hue from a distance, but up close, revealing a mesmerizing carbon-like coloring. According to the ROHAN staff, the key feature of this specification lies in its innovative use of carbon material, underscoring its commitment to pushing boundaries in automotive design.

The Prius ROHAN Specification, based on the Prius G grade, comes with a price tag of 4.39 million yen, as per the official website. This elevated version of the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car, originally released by Toyota Motor Corporation in 1997, signifies a bold step forward. With over 20 years of continuous improvement and innovation, the fifth-generation Prius was released in January 2023, embodying the core concepts of “Hybrid Reborn,” “a design that will make you fall in love at first sight,” and “a driving experience that captivates you.”

As automotive enthusiasts and Prius aficionados alike celebrate the marriage of eco-friendliness and high-performance in the Prius ROHAN Specification, it’s evident that this carbon-clad powerhouse has truly redefined the boundaries of hybrid technology and style.