Toyota is closing in on a production start date for the C-HR, the tiny Juke-like SUV that will sit in the manufacturer's range below the RAV4.
The company has revealed today that the latest design study to wear the C-HR nameplate, making its debut in Frankfurt, is nearer the actual production model in design than the first C-HR show car that was unveiled in Paris last year.
Unlike the Paris C-HR, the Frankfurt version is a five-door model – the trailing-edge shutlines of the rear doors can be observed in the complex real wheel arch design and just forward of the tail lights. Despite the additional doors, which are a known quantity from recent spy pics, the second show car remains true to the spirit of the original design.
Whether that spirit makes it into the production car in undiluted form remains to be seen... in Geneva next year, when the production model is formally unveiled.
Toyota claims that this second car is aimed at gauging consumer reaction, but the sheet metal seems to be locked in place, given disguised pre-production models are already appearing on public roads. However the C-HR shapes up in production guise, Toyota Australia has already puts its hand up for the car that the company hopes will take sales away from the Nissan Juke.
"The stunning looks, compact packaging and outstanding agility inherent in the C-HR Concept mean the production car is definitely on our wish-list for Australia," said Toyota Australia's executive director sales and marketing, Tony Cramb, as quoted in a press release issued today.
"Given the right specification, pricing and availability for our market, we would expect the C-HR production model to accelerate the already-hot demand for vehicles in the small SUV segment.
"Toyota is obviously keen to compete in what is the fastest-growing category across the entire Australian market, with sales up more than 30 per cent so far this year."