Toyota put the automotive world on notice Tuesday announcing a $70 billion plan to electrify its lineup, which includes the launch of more than dozen all-electric models by 2025 that it previewed with fleet of concept vehicles.
Among the crossover-style SUVs, like the bZ4X that will be first to market next year, were three particularly tantalizing vehicles.
One is simply designated the Pickup EV, which appears to be a Tacoma-size truck that retains traditional styling, rather than the outlandishness of something like the Tesla Cybertruck. The only indication of its propulsion system being a blanked-out grille.
An SUV called the Compact Cruiser EV is clearly inspired by the classic FJ40 Land Cruiser and FJ Cruiser that ended U.S. sales in 2014. The boxy four-door is equipped with a large skid plate and fender flares, suggesting it could launch with a modicum of off-road capability, and appears to have borrowed some styling elements from the FT-4X concept of 2017.
Toyota may have also given fans of the long-gone MR2 sports car something to look forward to in the form of the Sports EV. The tiny, two-seat coupe features mid-engine styling, even if cars with electric motors don’t really fit that description.
One thing Toyota didn’t announce is technical specifications for any of the vehicles, although there was a Lexus Electrified Sport grand touring concept with the Toyotas that it said would be able to accelerate to 60 mph in the 2-second range.