More than ever a hybrid king, Toyota does not forget the electric. Last year in France, almost 85% of the sales of the Japanese group, which also includes the sales of its Lexus luxury brand, were “electrified.”
Mainly of the classic hybrid, the specialty of Toyota, a pioneer of this technology since the late 90s.
But this year 2024 also marked a certain diversification, with rechargeable hybrid, introduced into PRIus and C-HR.
Faced with increasingly severe CO2 standards this year 2025 and Horizon 2035 with the prohibition of sales of new thermal cars (including hybrid), Toyota must also accelerate in electricity and just revealed several new features. What completes the only 100% electric vehicle in its range, the SUV BZ4X was launched in 2022.
“Now we want to develop our electric cars sales because we believe that time is good and that the French market will progress even more in this engine,” said Florian Aragon, managing director of Toyota France.
“Our goal this year is to make 10% of the ‘connected’ vehicles, combining rechargeable and electrical hybrids,” added the manager who took over Frank Marotte in early January.
A small urban cruise SUV
The first highly anticipated electrical model, a segment B SV (4.28 meters): the urban cruise, which will be launched between 2025 or early 2026. It had been presented in the form of a concept at the end of 2023, but obviously it was delayed a bit because it was quite expected for last year.
Co-developed with Suzuki, who will offer it as e-vitar, this urban cruise will be available with two battery sizes, 49 or 61 kWh and a range that varies from 300 to 400 km depending on the engines.
Keep in mind that in the total traction version, a small 48 kW engine on the back will complete the front engine.
Within a duo of screens of little more than 10 inches for the meters and the part of the infotainment.
A C-HR+ more family … and 100% electric
But the real surprise was to discover a new SUV, a little longer than the urban cruise, in the form of extended C-HR. Therefore, Toyota wants to bet on the now popular forms of one of her best selling.
This C-HR+ maintains the drawing of SUV CUT in its second generation version launched in 2023.
But at 4.52 meters (segment C), it is 16 cm longer than its grandson in the range. All with a 416-liter chest, which remains relatively limited, but logically more spacious than the C-HR, which ranges between 310 liters in rechargeable hybrid and 388 liters in classic hybrid of 140 horsepower.
It is above all an electric C-HR, with the option between a battery of 58 or 77 kWh, the latter must offer up to 600 kilometers of autonomy.
Total traction and large battery version will show 343 horsepower, with an announced from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. 167 Horses of force or 224 horsepower traction versions depending on the choice of battery.
Enough to complete the supply of Electric SUV of the Japanese brand, together with the BZ4X of 4.69 meters (segment D) that will also benefit from a new version, with a slightly reviewed interior and the same battery option as the C-HR+. Planned launch by the end of 2025.
A little without a license for soon?
Toyota finally plans to embark on the Quadcycles market, with a concept called Petite FT-me without a license. The drawing may think of the IQ of Microcitadine (2008-2014), but went to electricity and with a varied speed at 45 km/h to drive possible since 14 years in France.
A potential future competitor of Citroën Ami and its variants, and for the mobilization duo (which offers a version with a license capable of reaching 80 km/h).
Few details about a potential final version: Toyota evokes an autonomy of at least 100 kilometers and says above all that he expects that the returns of this project evolve.
Several original ideas are developed in this concept, such as a solar roof capable of recharging the battery or a light and removable passenger seat to bring your dog back, store a bicycle, a wheelchair or a large package to transport.
Toyota insists on the virtuous appearance of this model, with a very limited weight and a battery of capacity 8 times less than that of an average electric car. And with consumption three times less, it would finally have an efficiency comparable to the 24 cars.
Production in Europe is expected to escape possible customs duties and remain a local assembly model: in 2024, there were 80% of cars sold by Toyota in Europe.
Source: BFM TV
