Like all automakers, Toyota is a frequent buyer of assorted patent places of work, defending its designs whether or not has to do with ideas or manufacturing autos. The newest patent although has one thing attention-grabbing – whereas it clearly depicts the Toyota Small SU EV Idea from final 12 months, it incorporates some new styling cues.

Let’s begin with the fundamentals. The Small SU EV is without doubt one of the quite a few idea automobiles Toyota and Lexus unveiled in December 2021, previewing a variety of future EV manufacturing autos. Virtually one 12 months later, the identical car seems within the Australian patent workplace with slight adjustments, making us consider it may very well be a production-ready design.

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As you may see from the direct comparability, the patent drawing has a unique decrease bumper consumption sporting a honeycomb sample and integrating fog lights. That is completely different from the idea’s aluminum-style insert with small openings, though the remainder of the design appears just about similar.

Sticking a bigger consumption on the grille-less face of an EV doesn’t make sense, so it might trace on the presence of a combustion engine beneath the bonnet, as a part of an electrified powertrain. This situation is supported by the presence of similar ports on the rear fenders of either side, as one may very well be destined for charging and the opposite for refueling. Nonetheless, patent drawings will not be at all times one hundred pc correct, plus we don’t see any seen exhaust pipes, nonetheless, it is a frequent pattern amongst electrified fashions.

May This Be The Subsequent-Gen C-HR Or A Smaller SUV?

The Small SU EV already regarded very near manufacturing standing. The mannequin might sit on Toyota’s upcoming E3 structure which is able to mix components from the GA-C (Corolla, C-HR, and so forth) and the eTNGA (bZ4x), making it suitable with plug-in hybrid powertrains. This platform will reportedly underpin the following generations of the C-HR that’s rumored for 2023, in addition to the following Prius.

The Small SU EV idea does bear similarities to the daring design language of the C-HR, so we are able to’t rule out the potential for the idea turning into the successor of the C-HR. Nonetheless, the marginally bigger bZ Compact SUV idea appears like a extra becoming substitute to the C-HR, sharing much more styling cues just like the sculpted profile.

At the moment, the one mannequin in Toyota’s SUV vary that sits under the C-HR is the Yaris Cross, which is obtainable in each ICE-powered and self-charging hybrid types. May the manufacturing model of the Small SU EV slot between the Yaris Cross and the C-HR as a unique mannequin? The primary differentiation factors may very well be the sportier styling with a coupe-style rear finish and naturally the rumored PHEV powertrain.

Solely time will inform if these drawings are translated to the manufacturing line or not. In any case, there are an entire lot of premieres anticipated by Toyota within the close to future so we’ll maintain our eyes vast open for clues.

H/T to The Drive