Circuit test drive for the battery EV "BZ4X Prototype" jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru

A full -fledged battery EV "BZ4X" jointly developed by Toyota with Subaru

　The first installment of the battery EV that Toyota Motor, which is developed in all directions, is the BZ4X (Beads Forex).At the moment, the concept is named, but I was able to get on the actual car.It is said that the release is not so far.The test drive course is Sodegaura Forest Raceway.The road surface is the same paved as a general public road, not a good circuit pavement.

　I felt that the BZ4X seen under the sun was a straight line and was a common design with RAV4, but the 2850mm wheelbase with a total length of 4690mm that stretched quickly has a short front and back, and I feel a new era.The total width is 1860mm, a total height of 1600mm, close to RAV4, but is a little short, so it doesn't feel the size.

　E-AXLE expresses the concept of a power unit.To realize a large cabin, the drive system was made lightweight and compact by integrating motors, transxles and inverters.The motor was mounted directly above the axle and was designed to have an appropriate load on the drive wheel.The adoption of the main drive shaft is also a commitment to power transmission.

　The size of the front motor is 410mm in front and rear in the view from the side.The overall height of the rear motor is as low as 303 mm, and it has achieved difficult layouts for internal combustion engines.What was interesting was the story of reducing electricity costs using low -resolution low -viscosity oils, applying hybrid technology.The electric deaf like me was fresh when I heard an oil called a motor.I forgot that lubricating was important on the motor.By the way, it also has a built -in water -cooled oil cooler.

　The output of the front motor of the FWD (front drive) model is 150kW.The 4WD model has a 80kW motor output for both the front and rear.The battery is a lithium -ion battery using 96 cells to use 96 cells..It is 4kWh.Battery sizes are the result of the necessary dullness, appropriate cost, size, and technology.

　The battery is thoroughly controlled through cooling water.There is a waterway at the bottom of the battery, but it is strictly protected so that it does not touch the battery cell during the accident.This battery pack also plays a strong body structural material, which greatly contributes to overwhelming rigidity, but the feel will be described later.

　Battery suppliers are Prime Planet Energy & Solutions.Produced by Motomachi factory, that is, at Toyota.

　The platform is E-TNGA.A new platform developed exclusively for battery EVs.By using the battery EV only, it was possible to freely lay out what engine cars could not do due to restrictions.This platform is the first of the Toyota Battery EVs, which will appear one after another, and will be applied to battery EVs in various categories, from compact to large based on this.