Toyota electric mid-size SUV concept confirmed for April reveal
Toyota will preview its first electric vehicle with a concept SUV, set to be unveiled at the Shanghai motor show in April.
The Japanese brand announced overnight the Shanghai show from April 19 to 28 would host the debut of the new "preview" concept, which will serve as a near-production teaser for Toyota's widely-rumoured, first-ever electric vehicle (EV) – a mid-size SUV expected to wear a nameplate opening with the 'BZ' prefix.
The first in a series of all-electric Toyota models expected in the coming years, the production EV will ride on the brand's e-TNGA modular platform, co-developed with Subaru to support electric vehicles of various shapes, sizes, power outputs, battery capacities and drivetrain layouts.
While the teaser image of the concept released by Toyota reveals few styling details, given the showroom-specification model is due to be unveiled in 2021, it's likely the Shanghai show car will look all but production-ready, with mirrors, lights and well-proportioned alloy wheels.
Adding credence to the theory is the similarity between the teaser car's silhouette and an official profile sketch released by the brand in December 2020 (bottom), sharing an angular glasshouse and wide rear wheel arches.
Stay tuned to CarAdvice for the reveal of Toyota's electric mid-size SUV concept, set to occur just prior to the upcoming 2021 Shanghai motor show, due to open to media on April 19.