Source: Gasgoo
According to foreign media reports， Toyota has unveiled an electric SUV concept called the Urban, a new model that will be Toyota’s lowest-priced electric car to date, taking on Volvo’s EX30.
On December 4, Toyota unveiled the Urban electric SUV concept at the annual Kenshiki Forum in Brussels. The concept will be one of five new electric models Toyota will launch in Europe by 2026. Toyota says the Urban SUV Concept is “close to production” and a production version will be launched next year.
Image source: Toyota
The Urban’s design is inspired by Toyota’s hybrid-electric Yaris Cross, which is the segment’s best-selling model. Despite its small size, the crossover SUV features a bold, “no-compromise” design with pronounced wheel arches and a high stance. Toyota claims that the company has maximized the space inside the vehicle to provide flexible passenger or cargo space.
Toyota has revealed that the Urban electric SUV will be available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions at the time of its official launch. Consumers will have two options when it comes to battery capacity, one focusing on a low price and the other focusing on providing owners with a longer range.
Image source: Toyota
The Toyota Urban electric SUV measures 4,300 millimeters in length, 1,820 millimeters in width and 1,620 millimeters in height, dimensions that will make it a direct competitor to the Volvo EX30, which measures 4,233 millimeters in length, 2,032 millimeters in width and 1,549 millimeters in height.
Andrea Carlucci, Toyota’s European marketing director, hinted that the Urban will also be close to the EX30 in terms of price, with the latter starting at around 35,000 euros ($38,000) in Europe.
Image source: Toyota
Toyota didn’t reveal any more specific information about the new car, but the company said it plans to launch the next generation of EV batteries after 2026. Toyota’s goal is that the new battery will boost the vehicle’s range by 20 % while cutting costs by 40 % compared to the bZ4X currently on sale.
Toyota will reveal more details about the new electric SUV in the first half of 2024, and the model will be the first electric vehicle Toyota releases since the bZ4X. The company plans to offer consumers a diverse selection of electric vehicles by 2026.
