PrEVIEW 2017 Toyota C-HR
With the rising popularity of lifestyle crossovers like Nissan’s Juke, Toyota may be slightly late in the game but this is not to suggest that the Japanese automaker wasn’t considering such as proposition. St the Paris Motor Show in 2014, Toyota did offer a glimpse of its C-HR concept and took its own time in deciding whether to move forward or not. The good news is that Toyota has greenlighted the production of the C-HR and the production version hasn’t changed much from the concept presented. The incoming crossover introduces distinctive styling that brings newfound dynamism and sensuality to the crossover market. Dimensionally, it stands at 4,360mm long, 1,795mm wide, 1,555mm high (Hybrid) and on a 2,640mm wheelbase. Toyota designers have used the “Sensual Speed-Cross” concept to design the sheetmetal which features a diamond architectural theme with wheel arches projecting prominently at all four corners. The car’s structure combines lowered body on raised ground clearance resulting in a slim and sleek cabin mimicking a coupe. The car’s sheetmetal sports shapes with fluid surfaces and elegant detailing. Up front, the design represents a further development of Toyota’s Under Priority and Keen Look design identity. The slender upper grille flows from the Toyota badge into the sleek, aggressive wing extremities of the headlamp clusters and wraps fully around the front corners of the vehicle 72
JUL 2016
and the rocker panels have been blacked out towards the front and rear wheels, along with the shoulder axis that runs through to the front and rear. Disguised rear door handles are integrated within the C pillar and, essential to the representation of speed within the design, the powerful projection of the sweeping roofline into a large, highly aerodynamic, skeletal frame rear spoiler and the strongly tapered cabin integrates a top-hinged tailgate. Rear light come equipped with LED lamps. For the interior, there’s departure for Toyota. The interior styling of the CH-R represents a new ‘Sensual Tech’ design concept combining high-tech functionality with a sensual and fashionable style. It embodies a driver focused area within an airy, expansive cabin space created by the seamless layered architecture of the instrument panel that continues through to the door trim with a stylish ornamentation and a piano black panel. The driver’s operating switchgear, and 8in display audio touch-screen featuring a redesigned and improved interface along with Toyota’s navigation platform and enhanced connected services are slightly oriented towards the driver. In conjunction with the asymmetrical centre console design, this brings all controls within easy reach of the driver, whilst still allowing front passenger access to the relevant switchgear.