Toyota bZ5 EV sedan design revealed in bZ SDN patent

Following the market launch of the bZ4X SUV, Toyota is working on its second dedicated electric vehicle, the bZ5. The sedan, also part of the Beyond Zero (bZ) range, was previewed by the bZ SDN concept in December as part of a huge lineup of 16 EV show cars – including three other bZ models.

Not much could be seen of the bZ SDN then, but a patent filing at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), published in May, has revealed the full design of the car. This includes the rear, which was not shown in the few photos that were released.

The front end is as per what was showcased at the event, showing clear similarities with the bZ4X, incorporating a full-width headlight graphic with L-shaped ends and a protruding chiselled snout. The X-shaped face flows neatly into the heavily-sculpted bonnet, which then leads into the sweeping glasshouse.

Along the side are a barrage of lines and creases that form a “Z” shape, highlighting the subtly flared rear fenders. The window line dips downwards at the A-pillars before kicking back up near the back, wrapping around the blacked-out D-pillars that form the trendy “floating roof” look.

The rear is the bit that we haven’t seen, and here you’ll find an integrated boot lid spoiler, wraparound full-width X-shaped taillights and a trapezoidal bumper crease integrating the number plate recess. A large blacked-out diffuser completes the look and gives the bZ SDN a rather sporty appearance.

We know the upcoming bZ5’s design will be faithful to the bZ SDN, thanks to spyshots that show clear influences underneath the garbage bag camouflage. We also get a look at the interior, which sports a massive portrait touchscreen, a floating centre console and a slim instrument readout (but not the bZ4X’s controversial yoke-style steering wheel).

Billed as the ideal “first car,” the bZ5 will reportedly sit between the Corolla and Camry in size, measuring 4,725 mm long and 1,835 mm wide. However, its 1,475 mm height and 2,880 mm wheelbase are larger than both its petrol-powered siblings.

No technical details have been released so far, but expect the bZ5 to ride on the same electric Toyota New Global Architecture (e-TNGA) – developed in collaboration with Subaru – as the bZ4X. It should also get the same 204 PS/265 Nm two-wheel-drive and 218 PS/336 Nm all-wheel-drive variants, along with a 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery that should provide a range of around 500 km.

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