Toyota patents a liftback/CUV running on BYD technology

The Ministry of Industry of China has posted some images of a new crossover scheduled for production at the FAW-Toyota factory near the end of the year, CarNewsChina reports.

It’s called bZ3C and utilizes a single electric motor designed by BYD to drive the wheels with 272 PS (268 hp / 200 kW). Outfitted like this, the EV can attain a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). CLTC-rated range is estimated between 500 and 600 kilometers (310–373 miles).

The Toyota bZ3C is 4,780 mm long, 1,866 mm wide and 1,510 mm tall with 2,880 mm between the axles (that’s 186.7 x 72.9 x 59 inches with 112.5 inches of wheelbase). It weighs 1,920 kilos (4,233 lbs) and supports wheels from 18 to 21 inches in diameter. A LiDAR above the windshield functions as a part of the standard ADAS package on board.

Toyota hasn’t revealed yet whether it plans to offer the model exclusively in China or in other countries as well. Chances are good that the production will be restricted to China in either case.

At the Shanghai Auto Expo in the spring of 2023, Toyota unveiled a concept car called the bZ Sport Crossover (see video). It provided the basis for the bZ3C.