Toyota Motor is testing a four-door EV named the bZ SDN. Car spotters discovered it in China and posted the photos on bZForums.
Despite the cladding, it is obvious that the newcomer has a silhouette and proportions close to those of the bZ Sedan Concept. The latter was revealed during the large-scale announcement Toyota did late last year, previewing 15 EVs at once. Highlights include prominent fenders and an unusual glass line. The headlights and the lower bumper air intake suggest that the production car will look much like its prototype.
Another spy shot reveals the interior with a large vertical display, a digital dashboard sitting close to the windshield, and a drive mode selector knob.
All parameters remain to be revealed. All we know is that the bZ SDN is a mid-size sedan. Autohome quotes patents saying it is exactly 4,725х1,835х1,475 mm large (L/W/H) with 2,880 mm between the axles. The wheels allegedly measure 18 inches across, and the top speed lies at 160 km/h (99 mph).
A note on the inside of the windshield states that the vehicle has been developed by BYD Toyota Electric Vehicle Technology Co.
In all likelihood, the new car will get lithium-ferrophosphate batteries (LFP) developed by BYD. These cells are already employed in the Han EV and boast higher fire resistance, which can be crucial when the battery gets damaged in a crash.
Availability and pricing remain to be revealed.