Revised version of Juke-rivalling hatchback makes its debut at Frankfurt show, with two rear doors and hybrid power
Toyota has unveiled a revised version of its C-HR concept at the Frankfurt motor show, previewing a Nissan Juke rival that's set to make its public debut next spring.
The Japanese brand first showed its idea of a small crossover at the Paris motor show last autumn; now it has tweaked that concept's looks to produce a vehicle that's said to be much closer to the final production version. The final model should appear at the Geneva show in spring 2016, with sales starting before next summer.
The biggest difference between the latest concept and the original is the addition of a pair of rear doors - a sign that, like the Juke, the production version of the car is likely to be offered as a five-door only. Much of the original show car's complex surfacing has been retained, however, along with a sloping rear roofline that's designed to give it a more sporting stance.
The C-HR will be made on Toyota's TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) platform, which is making its production-car debut at Frankfurt underneath the latest-generation of Prius. Toyota has also confirmed that it will be offered as a hybrid; the firm claims this it will be the first hybrid model in its class, although it does not state whether conventionally powered versions of the C-HR will also be available.
Recent spy shots have shown two different prototypes of the same crossover testing on different continents. Both cars confirmed that the C-HR's two-door coupe style had been translated into a four-door layout.
The C-HR is expected to be powered a four-cylinder powerplant and CVT gearbox, sitting above the RAV4 in Toyota's range. It's expected to be the same size as a Nissan Juke but offer interior space that rivals the Qashqai's.
Potential customers are said to have favoured the concept’s looks over more traditional interpretations of crossover themes.
The C-HR’s looks were created in response to a demand from company boss Akio Toyoda for Toyota’s designers to be more adventurous. Recent designs for Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, have shown the initial response to that demand.
Rumours suggest the crossover could be called Auris Cross, although there has been no official confirmation of this. It was first spied testing in Germany around 18 months ago.
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