X-Prologue – Toyota’s impending EV teased

Image released internationally today gives a first look at a model that is likely coming to New Zealand.

TOYOTA has released this teaser image of the X Prologue, which is expected to showcase the design language for its upcoming electric vehicle family. 

The introductory model, which will be fully unveiled next week, is expected to present as a sports utility, similar in size to the RAV4 – but with a longer wheelbase together with shorter overhangs.

 It is built on the e-TNGA platform that was co-developed in partnership with Subaru. Toyota has previously indicated this kind of vehicle was on the way and Toyota New Zealand has also indicated willingness to take it.

The e-TNGA architecture is a big deal.

Toyota is planning on using this platform to spawn six electric vehicles, presenting in a diversity of body styles.  These are speculated to be called BZ models. This references ‘Beyond Zero’, the title of Toyota’s public push towards zero-emissions motoring.

The platform is massively flexible. It can be lengthened or shortened, accommodate single or twin motor powertrains and host a range of drivetrain layouts and battery capacities.

Subaru will also have at least one car built off this underpinning; their one is also a SUV and is rumoured to already have a name: Evoltis. And, yes, Subaru NZ is keen to have it.

The teaser image that partially reveals the car’s front end suggests it will have a two-layer style bonnet with the Toyota logo in the middle on a black background. To the sides of the front fascia, there are C-shaped LED headlights that appear to be joined together by a thin light strip positioned between the bonnet and bumper. A closed-off grille conforms with EV design direction.

 When Toyota first talked about e-TNGA, it released another image showing a stylised silhouette of a SUV and another revealing something of the platform layout (above).

The car is designed to go on sale worldwide and will be produced at Toyota’s ZEV factory in Japan.

Toyota says e-TNGA can host a wide range of different-sized battery packs and electric motors to suit models from different segments and allow the development of individual models in parallel.

The rest of the new e-TNGA-based models will include a smaller crossover, a large SUV, a sedan, and an MPV.

When talking up e-TNGA late last year, Koji Toyoshima, deputy chief officer of the ZEV factory was enthusiastic about the potentials.

“The versatility and flexibility of e-TNGA technology allows us to design and create vehicles that are not just battery-electric, but also exciting to drive and beautiful to look at.”

Subaru confirms electric vehicle, NZ distributor keen

Auckland office has sought more info about car, a co-development with Toyota.

Subaru shared this image today

EUROPE will be served first, but if Subaru’s new battery-electric SUV ever becomes available for New Zealand use, the distributor will be an eager adopter.

That’s the word today from Subaru New Zealand managing director Wallis Dumper in reaction to head office in Japan acknowledging its first electric vehicle is under development.

“We would definitely be interested in anything electric, particularly anything electric that comes in four-wheel-drive,” he said in reaction to the unfolding news about the car.

“We will seriously consider anything with an ‘e’ association to it.”

A sports utility, similar in size to the Forester, the new model will be built on a new bespoke electric vehicle platform shared with Toyota.

Intention is to launch it in the first half of this decade, although it's tipped it to be revealed next year.

Because it will be built on an electric-only architecture, it's expected to get a new name; Japanese media are reporting that it will be called Evoltis, which surprises Dumper.

He points out that name is already used for a Latin America-market version of Ascent, the large seven-seater SUV that Subaru only makes in left-hand-drive and aims primarily at North America. 

Toyota announced its involvement in the EV co-operation last week, including that the platform will be known as e-TNGA and that it will develop a RAV4-sized battery-reliant car.

The architecture is designed to be highly adaptable to allow for vehicles of different lengths and can be used for front-, rear- and four-wheel-drive layouts, thanks to the ability to fit motors to both axles. It can also accept multiple battery sizes.

While not confirmed by either firm, the new Subaru EV is likely to be 'twinned' with that Toyota machine, according to the website for British motoring weekly, Autocar.

Beyond the use of the shared platform, Subaru has released no further technical details of the new EV, saying that it will divulge more details in 2021.

Dumper says he can be of no assistance either – the announcement to media today has been the only official word. He’d like to know more and that view has been shared with Japan. 

Earlier this year, Subaru displayed an electric concept car (above) at a technology briefing in January, and it's expected that the eventual production EV will take styling cues from it.

Subaru’s first EV is a major step in its electrification plans. The firm has recently introduced mild-hybrid e-Boxer versions of its XV and Forester and is aiming for at least 40 percent of its global sales to be either electric or hybrid by 2030. 

Dumper says those cars are selling satisfactorily and have also raised consumer interest in Subaru product in general. “If people come in to look at the hybrid but don’t buy it they often buy a non-hybrid version instead.”

Autocar says Subaru had previously planned for its first electric car to be based on an existing model on its own Global Platform, but it changed that concept due to its new partnership with Toyota.