A few months ago I had a sneak preview of yet another new model from Toyota, the Urban Cruiser. The newcomer accelerates the company’s development of its battery electric vehicle range, a new presence in the rapidly expanding compact SUV market. Alas, I had no opportunity to take the wheel of this new Toyota, no doubt that the opportunity will arise.
The Urban Cruiser range includes two battery options with different capacities, to suit different customer requirements in terms of driving range and performance. Three versions are available in Europe at launch: a front-wheel drive model with a 49kWh battery; and front and all-wheel drive versions with a 61kWh battery. This compact SUV in the B segment will deliver a generous driving range of up to 426km (265m) (FWD, 61kWh battery) in the combined WLTP cycle. Both batteries use lithium iron phosphate technology which has the benefits of durability and low cost and a thermal management system helps ensure an optimum battery temperature is maintained, including in very cold and very hot conditions. When using DC charging, a battery charge from 10 to 80 per cent is expected to take 45 minutes and for 15 to 100 per cent charging with a three-phase 11kW AC power supply, the time should be around six hours; single-phase 7kW AC charging should accomplish the same charging performance in about 9.5 hours. The system includes a “My Room” charging mode that allows drivers to use the air conditioning and audio system while sitting in their vehicle while charging is in progress.
The newcomer boasts a robust design and its SUV character is evoked in a strong lower body treatment with robust sill and wheel arch mouldings and lower bumper sections. The so called “hammerhead” front end, a Toyota design cue which is a key element, accentuated by a thin line around its leading edge. The visual impact is enhanced by slim headlight units with light guides for the horizontal LED daytime running lights and turn indicators and a U-shaped garnish around a bi-LED for the headlight high and low beam. A strong lower bumper with a gloss black finish accentuates the vehicle’s wide stance. A powerfully designed rear light arrangement spans the width of the back door, wrapping round into the car’s muscular haunches. LED lights are arranged in parallel lines to create a distinctive illumination signature. Worth noting the dimensions are slightly greater than the full hybrid compact SUV, the Yaris Cross.
The cabin and load space have been maximised thanks to clever design and packaging of the powertrain components. With a 2,700mm wheelbase, the interior is open, spacious and versatile, with a sliding and split-folding rear seat system that can extend passenger room to rival larger models. Information and multimedia functions are fully digital, easy to access with an instrument combimeter and central touchscreen display that are seamlessly integrated in the dashboard design. On-board connectivity is well-catered for, with front and rear USB ports and wireless smartphone integration. The MyToyota app gives owners the freedom to use functions remotely, including scheduling battery charging and checking the battery’s state of charging. There are four drive modes, selected using the shift-by-wire dial controller on the centre console.
Eco mode extends the car’s driving range with regulation of the air conditioning system’s power usage and response to the driver’s use of the accelerator pedal. Normal mode provides prompt power delivery for everyday driving, while Sport mode sharpens the throttle response for a more agile driving experience. You will have the option to use Pedal mode for driving with minimal use of the brake pedal. This mode offers three selectable levels of deceleration when the driver releases the throttle, allowing vehicle speed to be controlled using only the accelerator pedal. The front-wheel drive model also benefits from a “snow mode” which controls drive torque to help reduce wheel-slip when driving on snow-covered roads. The suspension is designed for comfort, stability, responsive steering, and low noise and vibration. A MacPherson strut arrangement is used at the front and a multi-link system at the rear and the rear suspension uses high-rigidity components to help maintain tyre contact with the road and improve ride comfort when travelling over uneven ground. Braking, all four wheels are equipped with 18 inch ventilated disc brakes; those at the front with two-piston callipers and an electric parking brake is provided as standard, with a convenient brake hold function.
Ian Lynas
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