New Toyota bZ4X GR Sport Concept hints at electric performance SUV

By James Attwood

14 Jan 2022

Toyota has pulled the covers of a new bZ4X GR Sport Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon, which previews what a sporty version of its forthcoming first electric car could look like.

The bZ4X is due to go on sale in the UK in the coming months, and is a family SUV similar in size to the combustion-engined Toyota RAV4. The new concept features a number of styling tweaks, and Toyota claims it is intended to deliver “an elevated level of environmental performance and driving pleasure.”

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The machine carries the branding of Toyota’s GR Sport performance division, which runs the firm’s motorsport operations and has also developed a range of performance cars including the highly rated GR Yaris hot hatch. Toyota also offers several models with a GR Sport trim level, featuring sporty styling elements but no extra performance.

The bZ4X GR Sport Concept features distinctive matte black body panels and larger tyres alongside a number of exterior tweaks. The interior features sport seats and other styling additions.

Toyota hasn’t given any performance or technical details of the concept, or said if it previews a future road-going version. The current top-spec bZ4X model features two electric motors driving all four wheels, and produces 159kW (214 bhp) and 248lb ft of torque. It has a 0-62mph time of 7.7secs, and an official range of more than 280 miles from a 71.4kWh battery.

The machine was revealed in Japan at the same time as Subaru revealed a new Solterra STI concept version of its forthcoming new electric SUV. The bZ4X and Solterra were developed alongside each other as part of a partnership between the two firms, and feature identical specifications.

Subaru, which also unveiled a wild STI E-RA motorsport concept, has also given no further information on the Solterra STI concept. That machine features a large roof spoiler and ‘under spoilers’ painted cherry red alongside a number of other exterior styling additions.

STI is Subaru’s performance arm, and has a particular focus on the firm’s heritage with all-wheel-drive machines including its succession of Imprezas that competed in the World Rally Championship.