2021 Toyota C+pod Is A Tiny EV With Plastic Body Panels

Toyota has uncovered a new urban electric vehicle in Japan, the C+pod, which targets corporate users, local governments and other organizations, with sales for individual customers planned for 2022.

Previewed by last year’s Ultra Compact BEV Concept, it uses a small electric motor mounted at the back that drives the rear wheels, with a maximum output of 9.2 kW (12.5 PS / 12.3 HP) and 56 Nm (41 lb-ft) of torque, which allows it to accelerate up to a top speed of 60 km/h (37 mph).

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Powering it is a 9.06 kWh battery positioned under the floor, which gives it a 150-km (93-mile) range on the WLTC cycle and takes around 5 hours to be charged at 200V, or roughly 16 hours at 100V. Stopping power is provided by front disc brakes and rear drums, and it also features strut coil springs at the front and torsion beam type coil springs at the rear.

The exterior panels are made of plastic in order to reduce overall weight. The tiny EV is available in five different two-tone body color options, including Cyan Metallic and Orange Metallic, as well as three different three-tone color options.

The C+pod measures 2,490 mm (98 in) in length, 1,290 mm (50.1 in) in width and 1,550 mm (61 in) in height, with a 1,780 mm (70.1 in) long wheelbase. It has a maximum ground clearance of 145 mm (5.7 in), a 3.9-meter (153.5 in) turning radius and it tips the scales at 670 kg (1,477 lbs) in the entry-level X grade and 20 kg (44 lbs) more in the G.

It offers seating for two and comes with amenities such as air conditioning system, heated seats, electrically adjustable side mirrors, central locking and a digital instrument cluster mounted in the middle of the dashboard.

Despite the basic layout, the C+pod is offered with pre-collision safety with day- and nighttime vehicle and pedestrian detection and daytime cyclist detection, and intelligent clearance sonar with parking support brakes. It also comes with LED front and rear lights.

The C+pod has already launched in Japan on December 25, with a starting price of 1,650,000 yen ($15,908) for the X and 1,716,000 yen ($16,544) for the G.