Just last month, my colleagues made a forward-looking summary of the key German new cars that will be launched in 2022, but the models to be launched in Japan this year are also heavy enough and the lineup is large, such as Toyota's Corolla Reefang, Fenglanda and Weisa, which are currently on the market at the beginning of the year. In addition to Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Honda and Nissan, these Japanese brands have new cars will be listed this year, and there are many blockbuster models on the market, so we will divide into two articles to summarize the key new cars to be listed in advance.
Toyota bZ4X
Toyota released 15 pure electric concept cars at the end of last year, officially sounding the horn to enter the field of pure electricity, while the bZ4X was released earlier and has announced prices in the European market, priced at 41950-51550 pounds, equivalent to about 361-443,000 yuan.
The Toyota bZ4X is the first model built on the Toyota e-TNGA architecture and positions itself as a compact pure electric SUV. From the appearance point of view, the Toyota bZ4X adopts the latest design concept of the Toyota family, and the overall line of the body is sharp and extremely aggressive, while also showing a strong sense of light and shadow beauty. In terms of size, toyota bZ4X overseas version of the model has a length, width and height of 4690*1860*1650mm, and a wheelbase of 2850. The overall is a little bigger than the RAV4 Rongfang.
The interior design is still toyota family style, but it is obviously different from Toyota's fuel vehicles, the overall design is more simple, and the oversized central control screen and the strangely shaped dashboard make the car more technological. The multimedia system is more powerful, the online resources are more abundant, and the OTA remote upgrade is supported. At the same time, the bZ4X series uses a steer-by-wire system, and the whole series is equipped with Toyota's latest TSS+ intelligent driver assistance system as standard.
In terms of power, the total power of the overseas version of the bZ4X dual-motor version is 160kW (218 hp), the front-wheel drive version is 150kW (201 hp), which has a cruising range of 500km under WLC conditions, and the four-wheel drive version is also equipped with X-MODE function jointly developed with Subaru. The new car is expected to be officially launched this summer, and the two-vehicle strategy will be adopted, with FAW Toyota and GAC Toyota respectively carrying out localization production.
Lexus RZ
Lexus RZ just released the official map a few days ago, also based on the Toyota e-TNGA architecture to build, and Toyota bZ4X and Subaru SOLTERA are sister models, can be seen as a luxury version of bZ4X, but the official map released this time only has the appearance, whether the interior design is consistent with toyota bZ4X, it is still unknown.
From the appearance point of view, the Lexus RZ uses the latest design language of the Lexus family, the spindle grille has been changed to a closed front grille, with an extremely sharp headlight group on both sides, and the two sides are equipped with air intakes with penetrating front bumpers, the entire front of the car looks like a strong visual impact and recognition. The lines on the side of the body are sharp and full of power, and with the suspended roof and blackened wheel eyebrows and side skirts, it looks more dynamic and stylish. The tail is made of through taillights, and the upturned ducktail shape is also above the trunk, which is matched with the spoiler behind the roof to make the whole car look more sporty.
From the overall design of the vehicle, compared with toyota bZ4X and Subaru SOLTERA, Lexus RZ has its own brand of design, and the overall feeling is similar to the current Lexus RX model.
In terms of motivation, the official has not yet disclosed any information. For comparison, both the Toyota bZ4x and Subaru Solterra are equipped with a dual-motor powertrain with a total power of 160 kW (218 hp) and match them with a 72.8 kWh battery pack. However, there is also news that as a high-end brand model, the Lexus RX is likely to launch a higher specification powertrain model.
Lexus RX
At present, there is very little information about the new generation of Lexus RX models, not even spy photos have been photographed, and overseas media have only released imaginary pictures of new cars, but it is certain that the new car will have very big changes in the power system, and it is likely to cancel the 3.5L V6 engine and the four-cylinder 2.0T engine to achieve full electrification.
According to foreign media reports, the new generation of Lexus RX will use a 2.4T engine to replace the 3.5L V6 engine, which is used in the new NX350 model released last year. With a maximum power of 205 kW (275 hp) and a maximum torque of 430 Nm, it has completely surpassed the current 3.5L engine from the data point of view.
In addition, the new model RX500h will replace the flagship status of the current RX450h, using a 2.4T engine and an electric motor to form a plug-in hybrid system. Meanwhile, the Lexus RX still retains the RX450h model, whose hybrid system consists of a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine and a lithium-ion-powered electric motor, also plug-in hybrid. It is said that the hybrid model will also have a model model of RX350h, which will also be composed of 2.5L engines and electric motors, which will be the same as the new NX 350h, although the specific parameters are still unknown.
As for whether the 2.0T engine of the current model will continue to be in service, it is unclear. The new car is expected to be officially released and launched in the second half of this year, and will also be built using the familiar TNGA-K platform.
Lexus LX
The all-new Lexus LX was officially released in October 2021 and is based on the TNGA-F platform, with the latest design in appearance and interior, and the luxurious atmosphere is further enhanced. At present, overseas prices have been exposed, and the more configuration is divided into Base (basic), Off-Road (off-road) and Execute (administrative) models from low to high, and the overseas price is equivalent to about 692,200 yuan, 714,400 yuan and 996,900 yuan respectively.
From the appearance point of view, Lexus' new generation LX adopts the latest family design, a new spindle-shaped grille, making the front face more three-dimensional, no chrome border, and also highlighting the sense of unity with the body. The sides are outlined with straight lines, simple lines can highlight the aura, and the raised front and rear eyebrows create a strong sense of strength. The rear logo adopts the latest design, and the "LEXUS" letter is prominently placed in the center, with through-the taillights, creating a strong sense of luxury.
The interior design is more subversive than the current model, equipped with dual displays of 12.3 inches and 7 inches, a 12.3-inch floating central control screen located above the center console to support voice control, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto mobile phone interconnection and remote OTA and other functions; the 7-inch touch screen below integrates the basic information of the vehicle and the air conditioning display interface, while also retaining many physical buttons.
In addition to the regular 7-seater version, the all-new Lexus LX will also introduce a 4-seater version for the first time, and the 4-seater version will also be designed with a separate control area at the rear to control the entertainment and comfort of rear passengers. In terms of safety configuration, Lexus' new generation LX is equipped with LSS+ Safe Driver Assistance. And the new car is also equipped with fingerprint authentication button start, which greatly reduces the risk of theft.
In terms of power, the new generation LX is equipped with a 3.5L V6 twin-turbo petrol engine (V35A-FTS), with a maximum output of 305 kW (415 hp) and a maximum torque of 650 Nm, matching a 10-speed automatic transmission. Lexus' new generation LX is equipped with Multi-Terrain Select, available in 6 modes: Auto (Automatic), Dirt (Dirt), Sand (Mud), Mud (Mud), Deep Snow (Snow), rock (Rock).
The new car is expected to be delivered in North America first in the first quarter of this year. As for the domestic price, it is expected that the guidance price will be consistent with the current model, and there will not be much difference, but the final landing price is very difficult to say, according to the tradition of the LX series models, the price increase is inevitable. After all, Lexus' flagship model, without increasing the price of ES, is estimated to be difficult to book a car.
Subaru SOLTERA
Built on the e-Subaru pure electric platform, subaru SOLARA is positioned as a compact SUV that shares technology with the Toyota bZ4X. Subaru SOLTERRA debuted at the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show, and the car will also be Subaru's first all-electric model.
Although it is a sister model with Toyota bZ4X, in the design of the front face of the body, the two cars still have a very obvious difference, the closed hexagonal grille shows the brand identity of Subaru, and at the same time, through the use of different lines, the entire front face has a very strong three-dimensional sense, with a sharp LED headlight group, it looks more ferocious and domineering. The design of the side and rear of the body is basically the same as that of the Toyota bZ4X, while the body size and wheelbase are also the same as the bZ4X, and there is no change.
If the appearance is still different from the bZ4X, then the similarity between the interior and the bZ4X is very high, whether it is the button layout, or the large size of the central control screen and the strange shape of the dashboard are consistent with the Toyota bZ4X, and even the steering wheel style and multi-function buttons are no different. However, the car machine system will be equipped with the STARLINK system, which supports OTA, voice control, digital key and other functions.
In terms of power, the new car may be equipped with the same dual-motor four-wheel drive system as the bZ4X, and the acceleration time of 0-100km/h is 7.7 seconds. Equipped with a battery pack with a capacity of 71.4 kWh, the cruising range under WLTP conditions is about 450 km. And full-time all-wheel drive and X-MODE will be standard. At present, it is uncertain whether the new car will be domestically produced, and if it is sold in the form of vehicle imports, the price is expected to be higher than that of the Toyota bZ4X.
GAC-Mitsubishi Outlander
The new Mitsubishi Outlander has now been listed overseas, and the domestic version of the model has not been able to debut. In fact, last year, GAC Mitsubishi had a new "5A45" model project, which is the domestic version of the new Mitsubishi Outlander. According to the plan, the new car will take the lead in officially unveiling at this year's Beijing Auto Show, and then officially launched in the second half of the year.
The new Mitsubishi Outlander is based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi CMF platform, which is the same platform as Nissan's new X-Trail. The iconic grille on the front face is complemented by split headlights on both sides and the thick chrome trim around the grille, which makes the visual sense more rigid. The window lines on the side of the body are high and equipped with large rims, and the color scheme and shape are very young. The taillights are more slender, and the rear surround is decorated with chrome panels, and the rear exhaust with bilateral doubles makes the rear look layered. In terms of body size, the new Mitsubishi Outlander is 4680*1860*1747mm in length, width and height, and the wheelbase is 2705mm, which is a certain improvement over the body size of the current model.
Interior, the new car will come standard with an 8-inch central control touchscreen, while the high-end model is expected to be upgraded to 9 inches and equipped with a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster with a new style of four-spoke steering wheel. At the same time, such as three-zone automatic air conditioning, wireless charging, HUD head-up display, BOSE brand audio is also expected to appear in high-end models.
In terms of power, the new Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan's new generation of X-Trail are built for the same platform model, but, from the planning of GAC-Mitsubishi, the 2.4L engine with a 4J12 in 2022 will be discontinued, but the 2.0L engine of the 4J11 will be retained, and the 1.5T engine of the 4B40 will be added, which means that the new Mitsubishi Outlander will be equipped with 2.0L and 1.5T engines after domestic production. The four-wheel drive model will also be equipped with Mitsubishi's unique S-AWC technology.
GAC Mitsubishi Artucker AIRTREK
GAC-Mitsubishi Artucker AIRTREK is Mitsubishi's latest pure electric vehicle model, positioned as a compact SUV. At the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show, GAC Mitsubishi Artucker AIRTREK officially debuted/announced the pre-sale, the pre-sale price of the new car is 210,000-240,000 yuan, the hardcore version of the pre-sale price is 233,800 yuan, and the new car will be officially listed on March 30, 2022.
GAC-Mitsubishi Artucko AIRTREK adopts Mitsubishi's latest "Dynamic Shield" family design language, the overall design is very full, the front face uses a lot of chrome decoration, and adopts a closed grille design, highlighting its identity as an electric vehicle. At the same time, a through-type light strip connects the split LED headlight group on the left and right sides, while the main lamp adopts a matrix LED long and near light. The overall design of the body side is quite similar to the GAC AION V, which is also within a reasonable range as a sister model, and the side is also equipped with hidden door handles. The tail is clean and neatly designed, the taillight shape is also very exquisite, and the overall visual effect is excellent.
Inside, GAC Mitsubishi Attuco AIRTREK uses the latest design language, a large number of horizontal flat lines, the overall design is more neat and atmospheric, equipped with a full LCD dashboard, suspended central control screen and a three-spoke steering wheel. In addition, the new car will also provide two-color splicing seats, rear exhaust air outlets, etc.
In terms of power, GAC Mitsubishi Artuka is equipped with a maximum power of 135 kW (183 hp), a maximum torque of 350 Nm motor, equipped with a 70 kWh battery pack, CLTC standard cruising range of 520 km.
Written in the end: compared with the German key new energy models, Japanese brands are more conservative, and most of the key models to be listed this year are mainly fuel vehicles. And even if it is a new energy model, from the existing known information, its product strength may not be able to impress today's consumers, to Toyota bZ4X, Subaru SOLTERA and Lexus RZ these three sister models as an example, the endurance barely reached 500km for today's pure electric models can only be regarded as barely passed, so from the perspective of product layout, the current focus of Japanese brands should be hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Of course, as the first pure electric model to use the e-TNGA architecture, these three cars cannot be ruled out just to test the water in advance, and the follow-up will launch a longer endurance version of the model.