Toyota Reveals New Platform, Hybrid Powertrain in C-HR Concept

October 7, 2014

Ryan Gehm

The C-HR crossover concept is an important vehicle for Toyota, demonstrating the Japanese automaker's desire for more "engaging" design. Unique styling is a key attribute for a new vehicle, particularly in the highly competitive European C-segment market, said Karl Schlicht, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Europe, at the Paris Motor Show unveiling.

The C-HR's glasshouse tapers to the rear window, which along with the "spoiler-tipped roof line" creates the effect of a floating roof. (Ryan Gehm)

Significantly, the company's ED² (European Design Development) studio based in Southern France led the design for the concept, which introduces what Toyota calls a "diamond architecture" styling theme. The lower bodywork is "sculpted to represent the facetted surfaces of a highly durable, precision-cut gemstone," press materials expound.

Setting such florid descriptions aside, the styling hints at the future design direction for its vehicles, Toyota promises.

Key design elements in the front include a slim upper grille extending into the headlights that incorporate a unique 3-D treatment of the daytime running lights, as well as an aero-inspired floating front spoiler. From the side, the glasshouse tapers to the rear window, which along with the "spoiler-tipped roof line" creates the effect of a floating roof.

Beyond the design elements, the crossover concept is significant because it introduces a new platform with what Toyota claims will be a lower center of gravity and increased structural rigidity. Improved handling and a more "fun-to-drive" vehicle are important bogeys for the C-HR, said a Toyota spokesman after the concept's Paris debut.

The C-HR Concept is shorter and lower than the RAV4, but just a bit wider.

Smaller than the RAV4, the crossover concept is 4350 mm (171.3 in) long, 1850 mm (72.8 in) wide, and 1500 mm (59.0 in) tall, with a wheelbase of 2640 mm (103.9 in). (See chart for size comparison to the 2014 RAV4.)

The concept also employs a new full-hybrid powertrain that reportedly will deliver "significantly" improved fuel efficiency.

Questions to the spokesperson regarding the new hybrid system, platform specifics, and material usage were invariably met with “Unfortunately, I cannot provide any more details at this time.”

He did offer, though, that the next-generation hybrid system is "certainly a level up from what we have in our current [hybrid] vehicles."

The European market is a major one for Toyota and Lexus hybrid sales. Through the first eight months of 2014, hybrid sales for the brands reached 107,000 units, representing 28% of the Toyota Group sales in Western Europe.