Toyota's bZ3 saloon set to take on Tesla 3 in family EV market

OFFICIAL But Japanese brand currently has no plans to bring all-electric newcomer to Europe

-  Alastair Crooks

TOYOTA is taking on Tesla’s Model 3 with a new electric saloon, the bZ3. And although its second bZ-badged model is earmarked for sale in China, it precedes the launch of a second bZ model for Europe.

bZ stands for beyond Zero’, and was a badge introduced by Toyota on 11 concept EV models nearly a year ago. The bZ4X SUV was the first production variant to go on sale here earlier this year, and its follow-up is expected to be a new compact SUV.

As with the bZ4X, the production bZ3 looks almost identical to the bZ SDN concept it’s based on, as well as sharing as elements from the bZ4X. The lower portion of the front bumper differs slightly from the concept, but the full-width LED light strip remains.

In profile, the bZ3’s raked windscreen and flowing roofline give it a sleek look and help to reduce drag 0.218Cd) and therefore improve range. A kick in the windowline above the rear wheelarch adds a bit more of a dynamic look. The upright rear end features another full-width lightbar.