The launch of the original Toyota C-HR, in early 2017, was a first for a market with an abundance of models with a “standardized” appearance, and posed a stark contrast between conventional SUV styling and more striking design. and sharp, with an image closer to contemporary sports coupes.
Its success in this time has helped transform the public perception of Toyota in Europe, and has also added a powerful emotional dimension to the brand. More than half of the customers of this model mention the style of the vehicle as the main reason for the purchase and its rate of conquest and acquisition of new users from outside the brand is the highest among all Toyota models.
With the arrival of the new generation of the C-HR, scheduled for the beginning of next year 2024, Toyota takes the quality and outstanding status of its predecessor to new heights but also adds an avant-garde and groundbreaking design, a greater attention to sustainability and to recycled materials, advanced technologies and an offer of electrified and plug-in hybrid engines with more power and efficiency, as well as greater driving capacity in electric mode.
The unmistakable design of the new Toyota C-HR, faithful to the style of the first vision of the model, presented at the end of 2022, conveys a concept close to that of said prototype. From the brand they describe its clear lines as those of a “supercoupe”, with a very aggressive and stylized profile. The front treatment introduces the new face of Toyota SUVs, also seen on the bZ4X.
Sharp and forceful, it employs a pattern of overlapping shapes and diamond-cut character lines that run along the sides of the vehicle, underscoring the flush-fit door handles – a first for a Toyota – or short cantilevers and with large wheels of up to 20 inches.
Special mention deserves the new two-tone paint style, which will extend the contrasting black from the roof to the rear bumper and into the rear three-quarter section of the vehicle.
Inside, the new model goes further in its leap forward in sensory quality and conveys an even more premium appearance. All control elements are concentrated in the area close to the driver, while the horizontal arrangement of the instrument panel, together with a “wing” design, gives the occupants the feeling that the cabin surrounds them, enhancing comfort.
Also noteworthy in the passenger compartment is its ambient lighting system, which offers a wide spectrum of colors -up to 64- and introduces direct and indirect interior lighting options to reflect the environment of the passenger compartment -cold or warm- or the time of day. Thus, a program of 24 changing colors has been created, synchronized with the passing of the hours, which goes from more intense tones in the morning to more relaxing ones in the afternoon.
The range includes the 140PS 1.8-litre HEV and 195PS 2.0-litre electric hybrid versions and the 223PS 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, called the 140H, 200H and 220PH respectively. The 200H engine will also be available with the option of intelligent all-wheel drive (intelligent All-Wheel Drive, AWD-i).
This option, available for the 200H engine and only associated with the GR SPORT finish on our market, offers greater traction and stability when starting off, in curves or when driving on slippery surfaces, thanks to an additional compact motor-generator with high torque in the rear axle of the vehicle.
All will feature the latest fifth generation of Toyota’s Electric Hybrid technology, the subject of a complete redesign of major hybrid system components to reduce overall size and weight, as well as a more powerful high-voltage battery.
