√Scoop! Mysterious Toyota SUV surfaces in Australian patent leak

Is this the next Toyota C-HR, a future Toyota BZ electric car, or something else entirely?

An upcoming Toyota model has been revealed in a detailed set of patent images published in Australia

The small SUV appears to be a production version of Toyota’s small electric SUV, possibly badged BZ2X – which made its debut as the BZ Small SU EV concept in late 2021 – albeit with a number of odd details suggesting this might not be fully electric.

While the concept was an electric vehicle, it’s not entirely clear whether this particular model will join the carmaker’s ‘BZ’ family of electric models, or if this Yaris Cross-sized vehicle will be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Despite the patent images not showing an exhaust tip, the small SUV does use a traditional grille – indicating it could require a radiator to be cooled, as with a petrol-powered engine – as well as showing flaps on both rear quarter panels.

The two flaps could point to a plug-in hybrid powertrain – requiring one inlet for petrol, and another hiding an electrical plug. However, this is not a certainty.

The company’s larger BZ4X electric SUV appears to be offered with plugs on both sides in China, meaning the car in these patent images could still be a battery-powered vehicle.

Curiously, the vehicle in the patent images is riding on the same wheel design offered on the Yaris Cross GR Sport.

Toyota’s new design language – complete with C-shaped LED headlights – was first shown as part of Toyota’s electric vehicle showcase in December 2021, but the company’s latest Crown Crossover confirms the style direction will be used outside of the all-electric BZ range.

Around the same time, Toyota announced it was working on a new Europe-focused ‘E3’ platform, combining parts from its ‘GA-C’ global compact platform and its electric ‘e-TNGA’ architecture, allowing for a combination of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains.

A report from Automotive News Europe at the time says the E3 chassis will make its debut on the second-generation C-HR, which is expected to be revealed in the coming months.

However, rumours out of Japan suggest the model may be based on the larger BZ3X, despite the BZ2X’s funkier design lending itself more to the C-HR. The Automotive News report also says the ‘E3’ platform won’t debut until the second half of the decade – well after the new C-HR is expected to launch.

At this stage, Toyota hasn’t released any details on the mysterious SUV, though the publication of the patent filing suggests an announcement is just around the corner.

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