PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Toyota C-HR Concept green lit
Japanese car giant confirms crossover coupe will reach production, and is likely for AustraliaIf you thought that Toyota's renewed focus on sporty models such as the 86 coupe was just a short-lived dalliance, think again.
The company confirmed to motoring.com.au in Paris that it will build a sporty new crossover coupe for global markets, the design of which was previewed in the form of the C-HR concept today.
The new ultra-efficient hybrid vehicle will bolster the company's considerable SUV stable by adding a compact model, expected to measure around 4.2 metres in length, making it smaller than both the mid-size RAV4 and Toyota's top-selling Corolla hatch.
"Yes, we're serious about [building] it", Toyota of Europe's Executive Vice President, Karl Schlicht, revealed to motoring.com.au.
Although he wouldn't be drawn on the production car's timing, the Toyota executive said the new car will resemble the concept, with a few tweaks here and there.
"Sure, [the concept car is] a bit exaggerated, you can understand that it's a bit stretched... bigger wheels, but most of this we're serious about putting into production," Schlicht revealed.
Toyota says the C-HR concept car's design took inspiration from the Toyota 86 and will be pitched as a sporty crossover like the Nissan JUKE rather than a compact SUV in the vein of the Ford EcoSport.
But unlike the concept, the production version – the name of which is not yet known – will be five-door, not a two-door model – albeit with hidden rear door-handles.
"We'd like it to look like a two-door," said Schlicht, "but it should be a five-door."
Toyota Australia's smallest SUV is currently the RAV4 and the company admits it has been dragging its feet in the small SUV segment, which is why its first model will be less of an A-to-B appliance and more of a stylish mode of transport.
"There's no doubt there's interest in this type of vehicle. The SUV size around low four metres to 4.3 or 4.4, it's very popular -- between the B and C segment," he said.
"Car-makers are going to pile into that segment and that’s why we're trying to be extremely creative. We're a bit late to the party but we want to be noticed," enthused Schlicht.
The concept car is powered by Toyota's new-generation hybrid system and, though it remains to be seen whether the powertrain's production debut will take place in this new compact crossover, the vehicle won't be exclusively hybrid.
The Toyota EU supremo said the European car's prime powertrain will be hybrid to meet CO2 emissions limits in Europe, its major marketplace, but hinted that other engines will be available.
"We have potentially other options for other markets if you like," he said.
The high-riding crossover coupe will be based on a new platform and "not [shared with] Yaris necessarily," said Schlicht.
"We're going through a major platform change around the world, so this car will be part of that change process."
Being based on a new platform, the CH-R concept will also benefit from a range of new high-tech features, but Schlicht wouldn't be drawn on what they would be.
What he did reveal, however, was that Australian customers would warm to the car.
"Australians like a European design – [their tastes are] a bit different than the US," he said.
"Tell Toyota Australia they should get this car!" he concluded.
All the latest news and video from the motoring.com.au team at the Paris motor show
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