NOT quite an SUV, not quite a car, but something unique and in-between. That’s probably the best way to describe the C-HR, Toyota’s stunning new vehicle set to head to Australia early next year.
To be offered in two premium grades, the C-HR features extroverted exterior styling, an upscale cabin ambience with superior features, advanced safety and fun-to-drive dynamics.
The C-HR’s aggressive exterior is the first Toyota to exhibit a diamond architectural theme with faceted gemstone-like shapes, fluid surfaces and elegantly integrated detailing. A sophisticated European-designed interior offers enhanced emotional appeal with fashionable styling, high sensory quality, a driver-focused cockpit and engaging functionality.
The promise of advanced driving pleasure implicit in the eye-catching exterior design will be delivered by a new, highly rigid platform, a powerful yet efficient turbocharged engine and front or all-wheel drive power trains.
It has four doors and a hatch, but it’s not a hatchback; it’s compact while having a large interior and room for five; it has a high driving position, yet it’s not a boxy off-roader. And it will come in eight funky colours, including a new radiant green, and the yellow (pictured).
The Australian version will feature advanced safety features including a pre-collision system with autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering control, automatic high beam and a reversing camera.
The higher of the two local grades for C-HR will be called Koba, a tribute to the car’s global chief engineer, Hiroyuki Koba, with the Koba getting heated seats, a smart entry and start system, privacy glass and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The C-HR’s coupe-like styling is further enhanced by disguised rear door handles integrated within the C pillar and the sweeping roofline that projects into a large, aerodynamic spoiler. The strongly tapered cabin integrates a top-hinged tailgate and prominent rear light clusters.
Inside, Toyota has debuted a “sensual tech” design concept that combines high-tech functionality with a sensual and fashionable style. Operating switchgear is slightly oriented towards the driver and an asymmetrical centre console design ensures all controls are within easy reach.
Australian models will feature a 6.1-inch touch-screen display and new two-tiered front-seat design. Diamond-shaped switches evoke the exterior styling cues and the diamond theme is also visible in the door trim pattern, the headliner and the needles of the driver’s analogue instrument dials.
Decorative elements are finished in high-quality piano black and satin silver trim with clear blue illumination for the instruments and switches. The C-HR will go on sale early next year. Prices will be announced closer to launch.
