Toyota take the covers off their all-new Toyota C-HR, which stands for Coupe High Rider which, the company claims, combines a coupe-like upper body with the powerful underpinnings of an SUV.
The C-HR Concept was first unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show and now Toyota have revealed the C-HR in production form at the 2016 Los Angeles Motor Show.
The C-HR is styled in what Toyota term as “Sensual Speed-Cross”, featuring a diamond architectural design with wheel-arches projecting prominently at all four corners that emphasise strength and rigidity. The front of the C-HR represents a development of Toyota’s design identity, the upper grille flows from the Toyota badge into the wing extremities of the headlamp clusters and wraps fully around the front corners of the vehicle. Toyota claim the shoulder axis that runs through to the front and rear, emphasise the fast-looking, ‘lift-up’ feel of the thin body. The Toyota C-HR’s coupe-like styling is further enhanced by disguised rear door handles integrated within the C pillar. The flared wheel-arches give the new C-HR a wide and powerful stance; extra marks in the design department.
Inside, the C-HR is equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen display featuring a redesigned and improved HMI (Human Machine Interface) with Toyota’s Multimedia ’16 navigation platform and enhanced connected services which are slightly oriented towards the driver.
The new C-HR will be available with a variety of engine choices starting with a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine which delivers 116 PS and 185 Nm of torque, which may be mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). CVT-equipped versions are available with either front- or all-wheel drive. There will also be 2.0-litre petrol engine which develops 144 PS and 188 Nm of torque, the CVT-only model will be available only in Ukraine and Caucasus for now. The new C-HR will also have a hybrid option with Toyota’s latest 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine which can also be found in the new Prius which has a maximum output of 98 PS at 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm at 3,600 rpm.
Toyota have raised the stakes in the crossover segment with the new C-HR and expect it to hit the showrooms by 2017. Pricing for the new C-HR is yet to be announced, we hope that Toyota decide to get the C-HR to India. We could even expect to see the added option of a diesel engine.
Story: Sahej Patheja
