Toyota BZ4X - Official Specs

[freebeard]

They could make it stick through the hood like a blower.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by samwichse

Man, that front drive unit looks huge compared with the combined motor drive unit of a Tesla or Lucid's Air.

The BZ4X is FWD so the front motor would be larger. However, that front unit is more than just the motor. It looks like they have everything up front: drive motor, controller, coolant pumps, HVAC pumps, charger etc.

Toyota has traded a frunk for a flat floor without humps.

[Piotrsko]

Nice that all that front stuff means you get decent rear storage, too.

[Hersbird]

I wonder if putting solid, heavy stuff there helps in crashes. Certainly there is many years of history and testing having a transverse inline 4 in a position like that.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Nice that all that front stuff means you get decent rear storage, too.

True. Toyota is going for an aggressively normal vehicle. The BZ4X is basically a RAV4 with a lot more rear legroom.

Keeping most of the components in the front of the vehicle is also required to give front weight bias for traction in a FWD vehicle.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I wonder if putting solid, heavy stuff there helps in crashes. Certainly there is many years of history and testing having a transverse inline 4 in a position like that.

That's a good point. Maybe previous experience with the HSD hybrid tech also influenced Toyota's strategy with this EV.

[redpoint5]

I dislike using the product code as the product name. Any letter/number combinations is dumb, except I give Tesla a pass for brevity and humor.

The car looks decent; like a RAV4. I like they've dumped the stupid and dated IS faux grill aesthetic. Following the Tesla minimal grill is the way to go.

What's the deal with yokes? I can see the advantage in a plane, where forcing the grip to a single position gives the pilot a reference to position without looking at it or instruments. In a car, being able to grab in various ways can reduce fatigue. Also, momentarily losing grip one can easily find the wheel since it always occupies the same space. Finally, and everyone will will chastise me for this, but I want the ability to knee drive. I can navigate a corner smoother with my knees than a typical driver does with both hands on the wheel.

[Piotrsko]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

What's the deal with yokes?

In the extremely unlikely event that you would buy one, I would drive up there to help you install a "normal" steering wheel. Be advised that I am old and may not live long enough to be able to support this offer, and consequently not holding my breath.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

What's the deal with yokes? I can see the advantage in a plane, where forcing the grip to a single position gives the pilot a reference to position without looking at it or instruments. In a car, being able to grab in various ways can reduce fatigue. Also, momentarily losing grip one can easily find the wheel since it always occupies the same space. Finally, and everyone will will chastise me for this, but I want the ability to knee drive. I can navigate a corner smoother with my knees than a typical driver does with both hands on the wheel.

Styling. Toyota says it is to view the instrument panel better but I really doubt that is the primary reason.





Toyota's yoke is way better than Tesla's but I still don't see the point.

Tesla:

[redpoint5]

Perhaps I could still knee drive with it. I'll have to try before I completely dismiss it.

If it were an Apple car, it would be an iPod touch wheel, or perhaps just an app where tilt your phone to provide steering input.