At the Auto Expo 2023, Toyota showcased several alternative fuel vehicles, including its first all-electric SUV – the bZ4X. The line-up consisted of cars and SUVs that can run on hydrogen, ethanol and electricity. Here is all you need to know about each one of them.
- bZ4X is Toyota’s first all-electric SUV
- Prius showcased was previous gen model
Toyota bZ4X EV SUV
The bZ4X is Toyota’s first all-electric SUV, which was globally revealed in October 2021. The production model closely resembles the concept with the same name that was showcased earlier in 2021. The EV SUV is also the first model to make use of the new e-TNGA platform, which has been developed in collaboration with Subaru. In international markets, Toyota offers the bZ4X with two powertrains – the single motor, front-wheel-drive model making 204hp and 265Nm and the twin-motor, all-wheel-drive model that makes 218hp and 336Nm of torque. Power comes from a 71.4kWh battery pack, which promises a WLTP range of up to 447km. The SUV’s range is optimised courtesy of an on-board solar charging system that helps to ensure colder weather has minimal impact on usability – a noted drawback of conventional battery tech.
Toyota Mirai FCEV
The Mirai showcased at Auto Expo 2023 is the second-generation Fuel Cell EV (FCEV) sedan that was globally unveiled in 2020. It adopts a completely different design to its predecessor, with slick styling, low stance and a coupe-like sloping rear. It is based on the GA-L rear-wheel-drive platform, which has allowed Toyota to repackage fuel-cell stack and drivetrain components. Additionally, it also accommodates as many as three hydrogen tanks, helping it increase its total range. The Mirai makes 174hp from the Fuel Cell stack and has a range of up to 640km.
Toyota Corolla H2 Concept
Whereas the Mirai is a hydrogen powered electric vehicle, the Corolla H2 Concept has an internal combustion engine that burns hydrogen instead of petrol or diesel. The engine is a 1.6-litre turbo motor from the GR Corolla with high-pressure hydrogen direct injection engine technology from Toyota’s motorsport cars. Toyota says the advantage of hydrogen powered engines is quick refueling times and reduction in the need of lithium and nickel.
Toyota Corolla Flex-fuel
The left-hand drive Corolla flex-fuel hybrid was showcased again at the Auto Expo, having been previously shown in October 2022.A vehicle equipped with a flex-fuel engine can run on more than one type of fuel, and also a mixture. Such an engine is capable of automatically adjusting to any ratio, thanks to modifications like a fuel composition sensor and suitable ECU programming. The Corolla Flex-fuel is already on sale in markets like Brazil, and it gets Toyota’s full-hybrid technology which is seen on a few Toyota models in India like the Urban Cruiser Hyryder. It is powered by a 102hp, 1.8-litre engine coupled with a 72hp electric motor. We had taken a quick spin in the sedan and you can read more about it here.
Toyota Prius PHEV
Toyota also showed the plug-in hybrid Prius, albeit in its older generation, at the Auto Expo 2023. Called the Prius Prime, the sedan is powered by a 96hp, 1.8-litre petrol engine along with a 71hp electric motor, delivering a combined output of 120hp. The 8.8kWh battery can provide a claimed pure electric range of 50km. We have driven the Prius Prime back in 2020 and you can read our review here. Toyota recently unveiled the all-new Prius for the international markets and it comes with a sporty look, and both, strong and plug-in hybrid powertrain options.
