Toyota C-HR concept revealed, previews small hybrid SUV

Brett Davis

The wraps have officially come off the Toyota C-HR concept vehicle just before its international debut at the Paris Motor Show in a couple of weeks. A production version is set to be in the making, based on the Corolla.

Toyota C-HR concept

Toyota has been showing us more and more of its aggressive and sporty side with each new concept it comes up with. And the C-HR continues the trend, with edged panel contours, lots of sharp angles, and a pouncing off-road character.

The company hasn’t said much about the C-HR at this stage, other than describing the exterior as “an expressive new design approach with a diamond styling theme”.

It’s understood a production version is on the way, although it is likely to be watered down somewhat compared with this extravagant and eye-catching concept. The company has been spotted test driving prototypes based on Corolla hatches in the recent past, with a jumped up body.

At the moment the smallest SUV the company offers is the RAV4. However, in the larger segments there’s the Prado, which is off-road focused, and the Kluger, which is more of a crossover. Both offer seven seats and a pretty similar size.

Toyota needs a new crossover for the smaller segment, sitting under the RAV4, to compete with the likes of the Mitsubishi ASX and the Hyundai ix35. The C-HR is set to preview such a model. Toyota says the C-HR is,

“A vision for a hybrid-powered compact crossover that displays an emphatic new design language. The show car gives an early hint of a kind of vehicle Toyota would like to bring to market.”

More details will be revealed at the Paris show, starting October 2.

Toyota C-HR concept roof

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