The second variant on the C-HR theme since Geneva in March of 2015, this new version is a rich metallic silver with production-intent proportions.
Versus the original purple C-HR, this latest concept adds a pair of rear doors versus being a soft-road coupe. Mind you, the doors are well-hidden behind an interesting upward bulge of metal in the side surfaces. Other big tweaks to the shape of the body take the C-HR design from completely one-off to production-ready.
We saw a similar evolution of the Lexus NX via various concepts, eventually leading to the production truck. The NX became less polarizing, but still maintained the original concept’s design feel.
We predict similar with the C-HR.
But with much more toning-down of the wilder concept details. This compact crossover will be smaller than the RAV4 and compete with the Jeep Renegade and Honda HR-V. So with price points in the 20k range, do not expect 24-inch alloys or this $50k paint job. Nor some of the wilder nose and trunk details.
The real-deal C-HR should be ready for global shoppers in late 2016 or early 2017. The crossover shares a platform with the next Prius — an architecture the firm (cleverly:) calls “Toyota Next Generation Platform.”
TGNA will allow the C-HR to offer a hybrid variant, but its AWD availability is not yet confirmed.
If the C-HR were to offer AWD, it is likely to be just the standard engine upgrade versus the Hybrid.
2015 Toyota C-HR Concept 4-Door
Toyota C-HR Concept Gets a Step Closer to Production
Frankfurt, Germany, September 15, 2015―The Toyota C-HR concept, a stylish and compact hybrid crossover, has been updated with the intention of launching a mass-market version in the not-so-distant future. The new five-door model is currently on display at the 2015 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show (September 15―27).
The Toyota C-HR Concept was created to explore new directions for compact crossovers in an increasingly homogenous marketplace, and made its first appearance at the 2014 Paris Motor Show as a design study.
The concept is visually distinctive, thanks to its expressive diamond-inspired styling, packed full of eye-catching details that have been sculpted and chamfered to represent the facetted surfaces of a precision-cut gemstone. The vehicle builds on two key elements of Toyota’s design language―Keen Look and Under Priority―to create a bold, emphatic front profile that emphasizes the lower grille as well as increasing aerodynamic performance, cooling, and pedestrian safety.
The updated concept represents a step toward commercialization, with changes such as the shift from a three-door to a five-door format made from a practicality standpoint. Additionally, the roof color scheme has been changed from a two-tone (blue and black) to a uniform glossy black color scheme.
The Toyota C-HR Concept makes use of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), an integrated development program for vehicle platforms and powertrain components. TNGA will enable Toyota to create vehicles with improved chassis rigidity, handling stability, and comfort. Additionally, Toyota aims to give the concept an engine with thermal efficiency of over 40 percent, as well as further improving fuel efficiency by making the hybrid system―including the motor and battery―smaller and more lightweight.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.