Motorhub went to Hamburg to get a comprehensive briefing on the new European designed and built Toyota C-HR that made its global debut today and is due to launch in Ireland next year. The second generation five seat crossover has a tough act to follow. The original C-HR signalled a new and exciting design direction for the global Japanese brand. C-HR had a bold exterior with coupe-like aspirations and this cutting edge design was matched in the cabin where there wasn’t a hint of dullness thanks to a refreshingly modernised interior. The new car shares the same length as the original but is wider by 35mm (1830mm) and just a few mm taller, yet it manages in its compact shape to develop further the angular theme of the first generation coupe high rider (C-HR) with more dramatic creases, styling and angles.
The new C-HR appears more aggressive and angular in the flesh with some nice exterior detailing – such as the rear doors and how they resolve in to the rear light cluster, the front end is sharper with more technical matrix LED headlights, there are four flush door handles (although I’ll miss the rear hidden handles – but kids will reach the new ones easier) and a new, huge, glass roof that increases headroom by 3mm rather than reducing it. The cabin is freshened up and there is an abundance of connectivity and driving aids plus a safe exit system that uses interior lights to warn occupants if they are about to open a door unsafely on a pedestrian or a cyclist passing close by. Toyota says the original C-HR brought the highest amount of new customers/conquest sales to the brand and that is no surprise as it did signal a new beginning for the giant brand – Toyota described it ‘a concept car for the road’. The new generation C-HR does a good job of following on – but it is hard to be that tricky second album when the debut was such a hit despite featuring lots of innovative recycled materials and a host of smart connected driving aids.
The new C-HR gets improved aerodynamics and more fuel efficient 5th generation hybrid powertrains. As all C-HRs are full hybrids they are all automatic. The two engine petrol/electric hybrid range features a 1.8-litre front wheel drive (140hp combined output), 2-litre (198hp combined) available in front wheel drive and intelligent all wheel drive (AWD-i). The range topper is a front wheel drive 2-litre PHEV plug in hybrid with 223hp combined. The PHEV version has an impressive electric only range of 66km thanks to its larger rechargeable battery. The PHEV can do 0-100km/h in a time of 7.4 seconds. The PHEV gets a geofencing navigation ability that will automatically switch the car to EV mode when driving in low emissions zones (LEZ). The C-HR that we feel most customers will go for is the 1.8 as it will be the cheapest price point. Many buyers will do the usual thing and step up a trim grade from the entry grade to one with more toys. Emissions figures for the Euro 6 AP powertrains are very impressive with the 1.8-litre claiming 103g/km CO2, rising to the 2-litre’s 107g/km and PHEV.s 112g/km. Claimed WLTP fuel consumption figures are even more impressive with the PHEV at an astonishing low 0.9l/100km and the 1.8 at a diesel-like 4.8-5l/100km.
New C-HR improves on the ground-breaking original and we are looking forward to testing the car in the coming months to prove its performance claims.
