2016 Geneva Motor Show - TOYOTA C-HR Crossover Debuts
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TOYOTA C-HR
Toyota’s Fresh New Take on the Crossover
2016 Toyota Motorshow Geneva; The Toyota C-HR’s unique character
demonstrates the flexibility that the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture)
gives to vehicle developers in the three key areas of design, powertrain
and dynamics, enabling them to deliver a new and fresh take on the
increasingly commoditized crossover segment.
As a result, the Toyota C-HR remains remarkably true to the general
features of the concept-cars that attracted so much public attention in
Paris in 2014 and in Frankfurt in 2015. Its coupe-like lines are a
testimony to the resolve of its designers to create a style that stands out
in the Toyota range, and to establish a new direction amongst mid-sized
crossovers.
The Toyota C-HR also brings innovation to its segment through the
introduction of a hybrid powertrain. Using Toyota’s very latest 1.8
hybrid system, the C-HR’s driving experience is perfectly aligned
with modern urban life, and matched to a level of efficiency previously
unseen in the crossover segment.
Finally, guided by Chief Engineer Hiroyuki Koba’s vision
“Response, Linearity and Consistency” the C-HR’s driving
dynamics have been deliberately benchmarked on the precision and control
experienced at the wheel of a modern C-segment hatchback, thanks to the
meticulous refinement of Toyota’s most recent platform and its low
centre of gravity. The aim was to allow the C-HR to carry its speed through
corners, with excellent body control and steering fluidity, making it
enjoyable not only when flowing through busy city traffic but also on the
open road independent of the surface condition, in a way that exceeds the
current standards for a crossover.
Stand Out With Passion
Aware of the already crowded crossover market, the development team decided
from the start on a very targeted approach, centred on a clear and singular
customer image.
He is a driver who is predominantly driven by emotional considerations. He
wants to stand out, and wants to be the first to try new experiences and
products. He chooses style over outright practicality, and he sees his car
as an extension of his personality. He looks for quality in anything that
he buys, and he enjoys a spirited drive. And, since he lives in the city,
his car needs to be able to keep up with him as he weaves in and out of
rush hour traffic.
A Coupe-like Design
In response to the tastes and requirements of this target customer, the
Toyota C-HR introduces a distinctive styling that brings newfound dynamism
and sensuality to the crossover market. The production car remains
remarkably true to the concept car which was first shown at the Paris
Motorshow in 2014, and which registered extremely well with the target
customer.
Featuring a body with a diamond architectural theme with wheel arches
projecting prominently at all four corners to emphasise the new
crossover’s strength and rigidity, the C-HR’s modulated
structure combines the powerful lower body and raised ground clearance with
the slim and sleek cabin profile of a coupe.
Viewed from any angle, the C-HR’s combination of facetted
gemstone-like shapes with fluid surfaces and elegantly integrated detailing
create a delicate balance of precision and sensuality.
The front represents a further development of Toyota’s Under Priority
and Keen Look design identity. The slender upper grille flows from Toyota
mark into the sleek, aggressive wing extremities of the headlamp clusters
and wraps fully around the front corners of the vehicle.
The lamp clusters incorporate full LED lighting with light guides and
sequential turn signals, giving the C-HR its own unique visual signature.
Below, the enhanced three-dimensionality of the bumper that’s
integrated with the wheel flairs and the trapezoidal lower grille
architecture reinforce the C-HR’s wide, firmly planted stance.
The movement of the blacked out rocker panel towards the front and rear
wheel, along with the shoulder axis that runs through to the front and rear
emphasize the fast-looking, “lift-up” feel of the thin body.
The C-HR’s coupe-like styling is further enhanced by disguised rear
door handles integrated within the C pillar, and the powerful projection of
the sweeping roofline into a large, skeletal frame rear spoiler.
To the rear, the strongly tapered cabin integrates the back door while
securing luggage space. This contrasts with the pronounced flaring of the
wheel arches to give the new crossover a wide and extremely powerful
stance. Standing proud of the tapering body work, prominent rear light
clusters may also be equipped with LED lamp technology to give the rear
view of the C-HR an equally expressive visual signature.
This car is the result of a global cooperation between our design centers
on 3 continents and was managed by PCD (Project Chief Designer) Kazuhiko
Isawa at headquarters. The original exterior design was created by Calty,
our design studio in California.
Responsive and Frugal Powertrains
The Toyota C-HR will be equipped with an engine-range that is designed to
deliver exactly the fluent driving behaviour that its customers are looking
for. This finds its full expression at the wheel of the hybrid version, the
intrinsic characteristics of which guarantee a smooth, jolt-free ride.
Fitted with the latest-generation hybrid power plant, the C-HR has CO2
emissions of less than 90 g/km, unrivalled within its segment.
Delivering 122 DIN hp, this new hybrid powertrain is more efficient and
lighter, and offers sharper performance than the previous system. Detailed
design changes to the engine have resulted in a thermal efficiency of 40%
– a world-beating performance for a petrol unit. Other hybrid system
components have been made lighter and smaller, and have been repositioned
for optimum packaging, further contributing to the car’s lower centre
of gravity.
Alternatively, the Toyota C-HR is available with the new 115 DIN hp/85 kW
1.2 litre turbo engine, which debuted in the Auris. It comes with the
choice of a 6-speed manual gearbox or a Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission system, which is developed to meet expectations in response &
direct feel for European people familiar with manual and automatic
gearboxes. The CVT is available in front-wheel or 4-wheel drive
versions.
And finally, a 2-litre CVT-only model will be available for certain
markets.
Dynamics that Belie a Crossover
The design and development of the Toyota C-HR chassis has received the full
attention of the Chief Engineer Hiroyuki Koba, himself a keen driver. From
the very outset of the project, he travelled thousands of kilometres along
European roads in order to understand not only the requirements of the road
network, but also the way that Europeans drive.
“I have noticed, for example, that Europeans have a much more fluid
driving style, based on a more acute observation of traffic” observes
Hiroyuki Koba. “They avoid obstacles simply by adapting their
trajectory and speed and will focus to carry on speed aiming for efficient
progress, while elsewhere in the world the preferred approach is very often
to stop. This has prompted us to work with our European team on driving
precision in all aspects of the vehicle. We wanted to achieve performance
on a par with a good C-segment hatchback.”
With its low centre of gravity and multi-link rear suspension, the new
TNGA-based platform has formed an ideal starting point from which to ensure
that all of the features of the chassis could be designed to obtain an
immediate and natural response to the driver’s actions. Chief
Engineer Hiroyuki Koba has been engaged in each key dynamic assessment and
decision, assuring that his vision “Response, Linearity and
Consistency” fully came to life.
In particular, steering has been designed to be perfectly linear which,
together with the optimum limitation of rolling motion, gives the Toyota
C-HR remarkable driving precision for a crossover. Limiting body movement,
which generally affects tall cars in particular, also has a direct
influence on comfort. Even on European often battered roads, the car
remains remarkably composed and accurate, adding to the confidence and joy
of driving.
Advanced Safety Equipment as Standard
In line with Toyota’s strategy to democratise advanced safety
equipment, the C-HR will be equipped with technology usually reserved for
higher segments. The Toyota Safety Sense system that will be offered as
standard on C-HR includes a Pre-Collision system, Lane Departure Alert,
Road Sign Assist and Automatic Highbeam, as well as Pedestrian Detection
and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Production
The Toyota C-HR will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT)
in Sakarya, Turkey. This marks the first time a hybrid-powered vehicle has
been produced in the country, and falls within the scope of Toyota Motor
Europe’s Greater Europe manufacturing and sales operations.
This will be TME’s third hybrid vehicle production plant in Europe,
together with Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (Yaris Hybrid) and Toyota
Motor Manufacturing UK in Burnaston, Derbyshire (Auris Hybrid and Auris
Hybrid
Touring Sport). The hybrid engine is to be produced at Toyota Motor
Manufacturing UK’s engine plant in Deeside, Wales.