Toyota has revealed 16 new electric concept cars in one fell swoop to preview its upcoming range of EVs. Toyota said it was ready to invest 8 trillion yen (USD 70 billion) in electric cars by 2030, while launching 30 electric car models globally.
Toyota was an early pioneer in electrification, helping pave the way for companies like Tesla and others by proving that vehicles with alternative powertrains could be immensely popular. But the company has since fallen far behind its competitors.
Photos: Toyota
The Toyota bZ Small Crossover shows how city cars could be evolving as demand for high-set cars continues to grow. This could serve as a replacement for the existing Toyota Aygo.
Perhaps serving as a sportier-looking version of the new Toyota bZ4X, the bZ Compact SUV looks to be a coupe-styled electric car, similar to the Volkswagen ID5 and upcoming Nissan Ariya.
Serving as an electric car in the vein of the Toyota Camry, the new bZ SDN is another that could make production sooner than later.
The Toyota bZ Large SUV looks to be similar in size to the current Toyota Highlander from this image, and the eagle-eyed out there will spot a third row of seats.
The Lexus Electrified Sport suggests an all-electric sports car is coming from the luxury firm, perhaps even as a spiritual successor to the LFA.
The concept will supposedly accelerate from 0-60mph in close to 2 seconds and has a range of around 435 miles.
Of all the concepts here, the Lexus RZ is the one closest to production. Lexus has confirmed this is coming pretty soon as its first ground-up SUV, and what you see here is a near road-ready version of the car.
The Lexus Electrified Sedan looks similar in dimensions to its existing IS saloon, albeit with a more muscular design.
It’s possible the Lexus Electrified SUV would share a lot with the Toyota bZ Large SUV seen earlier.
It’d take on a bit more luxury inside if both made it to production, though neither interior has been shown off here.
For those big-city delivery companies, the Toyota Mid Box could be one for the shopping list.
The Toyota Micro Box looks like it was designed firmly with Tokyo in mind. It’s as it says on the tin really, seemingly serving as a last-mile delivery vehicle for smaller parcels and takeaway food. A bit like the Citroen Ami Cargo.
The Toyota Sports EV is a small roadster that shows Toyota is serious about its commitment to fun cars even as we approach an all-electric world.
The Toyota Crossover EV could sit below the existing bZ4X in its line-up as a smaller SUV, with somewhat tamer styling.
If you want your off-road kicks, the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV looks to have you covered.
It’s unlikely Toyota would go for a bespoke electric pick-up rather than using its existing Tundra as a base, so you could well be looking at the next-generation of that pickup here.
The Toyota Small SUEV looks like a much more refined version of the Aygo X Concept already showcased, and could well enter production looking more or less identical to this concept.
Rounding out this set of concepts is the Toyota e-Palette. This unconventional-looking van looks to be a unique alternative to the likes of the Ford Transit.
