Toyota, one of the world’s leading automakers, has unveiled a new concept vehicle that previews a future electric compact SUV for the European market. The Urban SUV Concept, which was revealed at the 2023 Geneva Motor Show, combines a sleek and stylish design with innovative features and technologies that aim to meet the needs and preferences of urban customers.
e-TNGA Platform
The Toyota Urban SUV Concept is based on Toyota’s new e-TNGA platform, a flexible and modular architecture that accommodates different types of electric vehicles. The platform allows for various combinations of battery size, power output, driving range, and different body styles and dimensions. The Urban SUV Concept showcases one of the possible configurations of the e-TNGA platform, with a compact body that measures 4,180 mm in length, 1,765 mm in width, and 1,620 mm in height. The concept also has a wheelbase of 2,640 mm, which provides a spacious and comfortable cabin for up to five passengers.
Exterior Design
The Toyota Urban SUV Concept features a distinctive and dynamic exterior design expressing Toyota’s urban mobility vision. The front end is characterized by a large grille integrating the headlights and the Toyota logo, creating a strong and confident impression. The side profile is defined by a sloping roofline and muscular wheel arches that emphasize the vehicle’s agility and stability. The rear end is dominated by a horizontal LED light bar that connects the taillights and the Toyota logo, creating a sense of width and harmony. The concept also features 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, and a two-tone color scheme contrasting a silver body with a black roof.
Interior Design
The interior of the Urban SUV Concept is designed to offer a high level of comfort, convenience, and connectivity for the driver and the passengers. The dashboard is dominated by a large 12.3-inch touchscreen that displays the infotainment system and the vehicle settings. The touchscreen is complemented by a 10-inch digital instrument cluster that shows the speed, battery level, and driving mode. The concept also features a wireless charging pad, a head-up display, a multifunction steering wheel, and a rotary gear selector. The seats are upholstered in leather and fabric, with blue accents and stitching that add a touch of color and contrast. The concept also offers a generous luggage space of 396 liters, which can be expanded by folding the rear seats.
Electric Drivetrain
The Toyota Urban SUV Concept is powered by a fully electric drivetrain that delivers high performance and a long driving range. The concept is equipped with a 72 kWh battery that can provide a range of up to 310 miles (500 km) on a single charge, according to the WLTP cycle. The battery can be recharged up to 80% in 30 minutes using a fast charger. The concept also features a dual-motor system that produces 302 horsepower (225 kW) and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. The concept can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h). The concept also offers three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, which can adjust the power delivery, the steering response, and the suspension settings according to the driving conditions and preferences.
Safety and Assistance Systems
The Urban SUV Concept also showcases Toyota’s advanced safety and assistance systems that aim to enhance the driving experience and the protection of the occupants. The concept is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which is a suite of features that includes a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and automatic high beams. The concept also features a blind spot monitor, a rear cross-traffic alert, a parking assist, and a 360-degree camera system.
Future Plans
The Urban SUV Concept is not a production-ready vehicle but a preview of what Toyota plans to offer shortly. Toyota has announced that it will launch a new electric compact SUV for the European market in 2024, which will be based on the concept and the e-TNGA platform. The new model will be part of Toyota’s ambitious strategy to electrify its entire lineup by 2025, with at least 10 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 60 electrified models globally. Toyota expects that by 2025, more than 70% of its sales in Europe will be electrified, with 15% being BEVs.
Conclusion
The Urban SUV Concept is a clear indication of Toyota’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, as well as its understanding of the needs and preferences of European customers. The concept demonstrates that Toyota can offer a stylish, spacious, and versatile electric compact SUV that can deliver high performance, a long range, and a low environmental impact. The concept also shows that Toyota can integrate advanced features and technologies to enhance the comfort, convenience, and safety of drivers and passengers. The Urban SUV Concept is a potential game-changer for the European electric compact SUV market, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Toyota is ready to take on the challenge and the opportunity and to offer a compelling and competitive product that can appeal to a wide range of customers.
It should be noted that the technical specifications for the Toyota Urban are hypothetical and not necessarily accurate.
