Toyota is well on track with its process of jumping on the sporty crossover bandwagon. Once again, we have come across the Japanese carmaker’s upcoming four-door coupe on stilts, a contraption that, at least so far, goes by the name of C-HR.
The vehicle was recently spotted testing in heavy rain in the proximity of the Nurburgring. Since this is the kind of car that’s expected to bring the fun, but not exactly tear up the track, everything seems fitting.
In fact, we expect the C-HR to be Toyota’s new RAV4. While the RAV4 is the car credited with popularizing the crossover segment, the vehicle has grown larger and more diluted with every generation.
The RAV4 is now pretty far from the original and with Toyota’s average buyer age always being in need of a lowering pole, the C-HR will cover just that role.
Being on its way to the subcompact crossover market, the C-HR has plenty of weight on its pre-production shoulders. For starters, the raked roofline model is late to the jacked-up party.
Most competitors have already released such vehicles, with the cars being based on subcompact platforms, with examples ranging from the Ford Fiesta-based EcoSport and the Clio-derived Captur to the Nissan Juke.
Nevertheless, the C-HR will make an important entry, sitting atop an all-new platform called Toyota New Generation Architecture. While dreamers see a GT 86 on stilts, the usual toning down brought by the transformation process means we can hope for the base front-wheel-drive to be accompanied by optional all-wheel-drive, all with a bit of fun to drive.
When Toyota introduced the C-HR in concept form, the vehicle was powered by a hybrid setup. Nevertheless, we expect the production model to be launched with a downsized turbo four. And while we hope the range-topper will pack the Lexus NX’s 240-something hp engine, albeit in slightly downtuned trim, the regular version will use a 1.2-liter turbo from the Auris.
Until we get our hands on more details, you can check out the crossover being tested in the footage below. Oh, and by the way, the vehicle will also be brought to the US, probably as a Scion.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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