2023 Toyota BZ 'Corolla' Electric Car Spotted In China!

Toyota's new small electric car, believed to be co-developed with Chinese conglomerate BYD, has been spotted testing in China ahead of its rumoured launch later this year.

Reported to be slightly larger than Toyota's best-selling Corolla, this car will be launched exclusively in China in late 2022, most likely with BZ1, BZ2, BZ3, or BZ4 badging – in line with Toyota's Beyond Zero (BZ) electric car sub-brand.

The latest spy photos from China confirm that the car will be heavily influenced by the BZ SDN electric car concept, which was unveiled late last year, as well as the BZ range's signature headlight design, expansive 'glasshouse,' sloping roofline, and flush door handles.

The photos also show a minimalist dashboard with a slim instrument panel mounted far ahead of the driver serving as both a head-up display and a traditional gauge cluster and a three-spoke steering wheel similar to the BZ4X electric SUV.

Around the centre, you can find a large, Ford Mustang Mach-E-style touchscreen, with a row of touch controls and a rotary gear selector placed below.

Prices in China could start as low as 200,000 Chinese yuan ($AU42,400) – more than 30% less than a base Tesla Model 3, which costs 290,988 ($AU61,650) before incentives in China, or $63,900 plus on-road costs in Australia.