A deeper look at Toyota's electric response to the Suzuki Jimny is now available. In 2021, the Compact Cruiser and 15 other electric vehicles were unveiled as part of a strategy to sell 3.5 million electric vehicles annually by the year 2030. Following the vehicle's category victory at the 2022 Car Design Awards in Milan, Italy, further pictures of the vehicle have been made public.
The 16 vehicles that Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda unveiled were referred to be the "showroom of the future" for Toyota and Lexus, even though their production hasn't been officially confirmed. By 2030, the company wants to have sold 30 electrified vehicles.
It's not unreasonable to anticipate that the Compact Cruiser will be in showrooms at some time, given that the Lexus RZ concept from the innovative lineup of EV concepts has already become a reality. Toyota hasn't specified how the small off roader will be propelled, but it has verified that the prototype seen above has all-wheel drive. The original Land Cruiser served as influence for the concept's designers, and the retro-futuristic FJ Cruiser that was sold between 2011 and 2016 is clearly seen in the styling.
The design of the LED running lights up front also has more than a touch of the 70 Series. Large bash plates, black cladding, and snowboards mounted on the roof are enhanced design features unlikely to be preserved in production, but they will influence how the car that might eventually be sold will look.
Currently, there aren't many electric off-road vehicles, but that will soon change. While Ineos is working on an EV that is smaller than its Grenadier, Jeep has committed to producing an electric Wrangler. Once manufacture of these pick-ups ramps up, electric vehicles like the Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer EV also offer to carry e-power far into the wilderness.
Tundra Capstone
In 2021, Toyota itself debuted what appears to be an electric version of its Tundra pickup vehicle. The Tundra Capstone is intended to be an even more opulent product than the Platinum and 1794 Edition that were previously presented. It will compete with models like the GMC Sierra Denali and the Ford F-150 Platinum. The 3.5-liter "i-Force Max" twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine with a motor generator and 288V nickel-metal hydride battery pack, which is housed under the back seats, is the only available powertrain for the Capstone.
The i-Force Max powertrain has a total system output of 325kW of power and 790Nm of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automated transmission. The Tundra Capstone runs largely on electricity to make the most of the electric motor's quick torque below 28 km/h, switching to mostly gasoline power to help with performance at higher speeds.
There’s no V8 engine available in this new generation of the Tundra for the first time ever, with a non-hybrid 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 290kW and 649Nm also available on lower trim levels. Setting the Capstone grade apart from the exterior is its unique grille with a body-color outer frame and a chrome mesh insert, as well as chrome mirror caps, chrome tailgate insert, and 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels.
The Capstone also has a heated leather steering wheel, a 10-inch color head-up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12-speaker JBL premium sound system.
The infotainment display provides 4G access for up to five devices, dual simultaneous Bluetooth connectivity, built-in music streaming, and more. The Intelligent Assistant can be triggered by saying, “Hey Toyota” and then search for navigation points of interest, adjust audio, change the climate control, and more.
