Toyota bZ4X is the brand’s first battery-electric car. This crossover-shaped vehicle seems to feature a futuristic style and loads of practicality, but one thing is quite weird – why does Toyota bZ4X have a steer-by-wire system and what is it exactly?
Toyota used to be one of the leading car manufacturers when it came to eco-friendly mobility. Toyota Prius was the standard environmentally friendly car for years and then Toyota came up with such hydrogen-powered cars like Mirai. However, the largest Japanese car manufacturer was never quick to adopt the battery-electric architecture. At least not until now.
Toyota bZ4X is a nearly 4.7 meter long 5-seater crossover. Underneath its floor there is a 71.4 kWh battery, which can be sent to the front or all wheels. The FWD version, obviously, won’t do that great in the snow conditions, but it is 85 kg lighter (1,920 kg) and has a WLTP range of approximately 500 km. 4WD bZ4X can do around 460 km between charges. Toyota bZ4X is not exactly a sporty car. FWD version develops 150 kW of power and reaches 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, while the 160 kW 4WD version does the same thing in 7.7 seconds. But it is very practical.
People switching from a car with an internal combustion engine will notice that bZ4X is more spacious, because batteries hide under the floor and there are not bulky engines or gearboxes. Premium interior in the bZ4X is designed to calm you down and there are loads of technological features, many of which are integrated with smartphones. The driver will be able to enjoy a little bit more knee room as Toyota bZ4X can avoid the mechanical link between its steering wheel and the front wheels.
Some Toyota bZ4X models will come with the steer-by-wire system, which will have no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and tires. In this configuration the steering wheel will basically work like a controller – you turn the steering wheel and some motors turn the wheels. This allows for greater flexibility of the steering wheel feel and no vibrations pass from the road to the driver’s hands. Because there will be no mechanical limitations, a vehicle’s computer can give the steering wheel different characteristics depending on the driver’s preferences. Of course, people will say that the loss of feel is a negative thing, because that feedback gives some confidence, but this steer-by-wire system should be suited for a more relaxed driving experience.
Toyota may be late to the party, but the bZ4X seems like a worthy contender. Just that this steer-by-wire system is bound to not be the most popular option. On the other hand, someday we will do away with steering wheels in general as cars will turn autonomic – maybe it’s not even that big of a deal already.
Source: Toyota
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