One of the stars of the 2014 Paris Motor Show was the first prototype of the Toyota C-HR, a compact crossover with a very peculiar design. and new, so much so that even for the Japanese brand it was a weirdo. In the following two years, the model began to be mass-produced to reach different markets, Mexico included.
For this 2022, Toyota presents the C-HR Prologue, the prelude to its second generation, which seeks to follow the same progressive path of the original: to be a different and bold Toyota.
Developing
The C=HR Prologue is actually a development on the Toyota Small SU EV Concept, one of the many prototypes that the Japanese brand anticipated last year in its great expansion plan.
The C-HR was conceived in the Toyota European Design Center (ED2) in the south of France and with an eye on an audience… as are the Europeans, much more adept at new things, but also thinking of a less utilitarian car and with more added value in terms of offering a different driving experience. “Our mission was to go deeper, to go beyond what we had never reached. We are very much looking forward to offering our new Toyota C-HR.”recounts Lance Scott, Design Director/Co-manager of ED2.
Although the general design respects some of the proportions of the original, as well as that “rebel” vibe, today the C-HR carries an identity completely in line with what we have seen in the new Prius and in the bZ Compact SUV Concept, like the “Hammerhead” front with C-shaped lights. Large wheels, short overhangs, two-tone structure (like those of the Aygo X) with a third color in the spoiler and rear diffuser; all this helps to deliver a sportier vision but at the same time more functional.
The brand talks about organic design, but in my opinion, there are much more defined, simplified and sharp lines, those that contrast with some cast surfaces that add volume.
Finally, to summarize the proposal a bit, the C-HR is something like a car for personal use and with a special aesthetic. In the past we had affordable coupes and many three-door hatchbacks. Even that carried over to compact SUVs like the RAV4 and Vitara. All those formats have disappeared, with the Hyundai Veloster perhaps being the last model of that breed. The C-HR could perfectly be a successor to all these cars mentioned, following the path of the Nissan Juke.
The C-HR’s powertrain is sure to be similar to that of the new Prius, with hybrid and plug-in options to suit all budgets and preferences. The previous Toyota C-HR already used the TNGA-C platform and this will be the same, with its most updated version.
This new C-HR will be manufactured in Turkey, like the current one, and should debut next year, positioning itself halfway between the Yaris Cross and the Corolla Cross.