[Test drive Impress] Circuit test d...

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04

[Test drive Impress] Circuit test drive on battery EV "bZ4X prototype" jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru / --Car Watch

Full-scale battery EV "bZ4X" jointly developed by Toyota with Subaru

The first battery EV that Toyota Motor Corporation, which develops in all directions, has entered in earnest is the "bZ4X". At the moment, it is named as a concept, but it was finally possible to get on the actual car. It is said that the release will not be too far away. The test drive course is Sodegaura Forest Raceway. The road surface is the same pavement as general public roads, not a circuit pavement with good grip.

I felt that the bZ4X seen under the sun had a linear tone and a design in common with the RAV4, but the 2850mm wheelbase with a total length of 4690mm that stretched quickly feels a new era with short front and rear overhangs. The overall width is 1860mm and the overall height is 1600mm, which is close to the RAV4, but it is a little short so I don't feel the size.

Test drive the bZ4X prototype at the Sodegaura Forest Raceway

The e-Axle represents the concept of a power unit. In order to realize a wide cabin, the drive system was made lightweight and compact by integrating the motor, transaxle, and inverter. The motor was mounted directly above the axle so that the proper load was applied to the drive wheels. The adoption of equal-length drive shafts is also a commitment to power transmission.

【試乗インプレ】トヨタとスバルが共同開発したバッテリEV「bZ4Xプロトタイプ」にサーキット試乗 / - Car Watch

The size of the front motor is 410mm in front and back length in the perspective view from the side. The total height of the rear motor is as low as 303 mm, realizing a layout that is difficult for an internal combustion engine. What was interesting was the story of reducing electricity costs by using low-viscosity oil with low resistance by applying the technology that was used in hybrids. It was refreshing to hear that the dry feeling of a motor was oil for an electric noise like me. I forgot that lubrication is also important for motors. 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 motor output of 80kW on both the front and rear. The battery is a lithium-ion battery that uses 96 cells and has a total battery power of 71.4kWh. Battery size is the result of a balance between required cruising range and reasonable cost, size, and technology.

The 4WD test drive, which has the same minimum ground clearance as the RAV4 but has a reduced overall height, was an 18-inch model.

The temperature of the battery is thoroughly controlled by passing cooling water through it. There is a waterway at the bottom of the battery, but it is strictly protected from touching the battery cell in the event of an accident. This battery pack also plays the role of a strong body structural material, and it is said that it greatly contributes to the overwhelming rigidity, but the feeling will be described later.

The battery supplier is Prime Planet Energy & Solutions. It will be produced at the Motomachi Plant, that is, Toyota.

The platform is e-TNGA. It is a new platform developed exclusively for battery EVs. By dedicating it to the battery EV, it was possible to freely lay out things that cannot be done with engine cars due to restrictions. This platform is the first Toyota battery EV that will appear one after another, and based on this, it will be applied to various categories of battery EVs from compact to large.

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