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Toyota hasn't released many compact electric SUVs. But that was until now! That's because, now the brand has already been testing a prototype of a new SUV from the Japanese automaker that will enter the electric vehicle market in the coming years.
In December of 2021, the Toyota surprised us with more than a dozen new compact electric SUV models. Behind the stage is a small yellow crossover called the Small SU EV. This car could be our prototype.
What would be the characteristics of the compact electric SUV
The photos of the new prototype of the compact electric SUV that has been circulating the streets show a silhouette that clearly resembles the C-HR. So it could also be a new generation of the model. The prototype sketch is very similar to the study of the new C-HR shown in early December.
The photos say there is one with a gray rectangle on the front and no sign, and another with a bold gold element on the front with a sign. The rectangular element at the front could be the radiator cooling element, hinting at the internal combustion engine. This will represent the C-HR, which is expected to launch not just as a hybrid complete, but also as a plug-in hybrid for the first time. On the rear of the model with Cologne plates, the exhaust outlets can also be seen on the right:
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Compact electric SUV may have two versions
Both models, the new C-HR and the bZ2X, will likely be based on the same platform: Toyota's new E3 architecture. It is said to incorporate elements from the platform of the combustion engine internal TNGA-C (the basis of the current C-HR) and the e-TNGA electric platform (the basis of the bZ4X).
More importantly, however, it can support pure electric vehicles as well as hybrids and plug-in hybrids. As such, the degree of electrification must be flexible to meet demand, a Toyota executive said in early December. This could even make an electric C-HR possible.
Overall, the E3's snappy approach is a good fit for Toyota, as the Japanese automaker isn't yet a big believer in pure electric vehicles. However, Japan seems to be keeping an eye on the development of the European market, where electric vehicles currently represent more than 10 percent of the market. So we can expect more EVs from Toyota in the future.
By 2026, no less than six compact electric SUV models will be launched in Europe. For example, the Toyota bZ3 is also planned; the electric sedan will compete with the Tesla Model 3 in China and Europe.
