First unveiled in globally back in Auto Shanghai 2023 this past April, Toyota has confirmed that the stunning Sport Crossover Concept will soon evolve into a production car for the European market in 2025, as part of a six-model EV onslaught planned for the continent alongside the bZ4X and production versions of the Urban Crossover and Compact Crossover concepts.
Information on the production version is still scarce at the time of writing, but it will be built as a D-segment model, catered towards “first-time electric car customers” who are looking for a stylish alternative to traditional SUVs, the press release states.
Speaking to Autocar, Toyota head of product development, Andrea Carlucci described the upcoming Sporty Crossover as the “perfect style hero” of the six-model EV line-up, highlighting that it’s longer, wider, and lower than the bZ4X, but barely compromises on practicality and comfort.
“I would say it looks at a different customer,” Carlucci said. “We believe that the market isn’t just SUVs. Of course, it is the latest trend and one that will stay a while, but we want to offer solutions for any kind of customer. This could be the solution for the customer that’s specifically looking for something which is stylish.
“We want to deliver something which is closer to the new cues of Toyota – being a bit obsessed with sportiness, especially at the back with the coupe or fastback design.”
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The Toyota Sporty Crossover Concept’s most unique design feature is undoubtedly the low-slung fastback silhouette, giving it a more “raised sedan” look rather than your traditional SUVs. There’s the new Toyota signature hammerhead lighting up front, and the same motif is also repeated for the tail lamps, but here intertwined with loud lines that form a ducktail spoiler at the back.
The sporty concept was developed by BYD Toyota EV Technology (BTET), which is a joint venture established in China between Toyota and BYD. The latter will most likely supply its LFP blade batteries for the electric crossover, as seen in the Chinese market-exclusive bZ3, their first product from the partnership.
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