2023 Toyota BZ3 electric car leaked

the 2023 Toyota BZ3 The sedan, the electric equivalent of the best-selling Toyota Corolla, has appeared in photos from China, but an Australian launch has yet to be confirmed.

Images released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology show the production BZ3 sedan, the second member of Toyota’s BZ range of electric cars, with dimensions similar to a Toyota Corolla sedan.

The BZ3 is the production version of the Toyota BZ SDN concept revealed last year, with minimal differences between the concept and production cars, and limited to wheel designs, light signatures and patterns on plastic parts.

Front and rear appearance, with full-width LED light signatures, are reminiscent of the larger BZ4X SUV, while buyers can choose between 16-inch and 18-inch wheels.

Chinese government images don’t show the interior of the new electric car, however spy photos (below, via carspies) point to a large vertical touchscreen in the center, a digital instrument display positioned well in front of the driver, and a steering wheel similar to the BZ4X.

Tan leather-look seats will be available on some models, while there’s a space-saving rotary dial-style gear selector mounted on the center console.

The new BZ3 is powered by Chinese electric car giant BYD’s ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate batteries, selected for their slim profile – about half the thickness of a traditional lithium-ion battery – increasing space for the passengers.

While the battery capacity is unknown, it will be paired with a single electric motor in two states of tune: 135kW (with 16-inch wheels only) and 179kW (with 18-inch wheels). Both cite top speeds of 100 mph.

Both are expected to be underpinned by the Toyota group’s e-TNGA architecture, but unlike the front- and four-wheel-drive BZ4X, the BZ3 is said to be rear-wheel drive.

The BZ3 measures 4725mm long, 1835mm wide and 1475mm tall, on a 2880mm wheelbase – 95mm longer overall, 65mm wider and 40mm taller than an Australian market Corolla sedan , but mounted on a 180mm longer wheelbase (with shorter front and rear overhangs). ).

the 2023 Toyota BZ3 Rumor has it it will be revealed at the Guangzhou auto show in November, before a launch in that market likely later this year.

Prices in China can open as low as 200,000 yuan ($42,650 AUD), about 30 percent less than an entry-level rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3, which starts at 290,988 yen ($62,000 AUD) before incentives. . (or $65,500 plus road costs for the same car in Australia).

However, it’s unclear if the car will make it to Australia, as reports suggest it may be a China-only model, built in China.