We saw the Toyota C-HR make its debut in the European market in 2016 and ever since, the crossover has enjoyed strong success. Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture-based (TNGA) platform, the C-HR now finds new applications in terms of a higher powered hybrid powertrain. Toyota showcased this very vision of the company and its designers at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show with the C-HR Hy-Power Concept. Created by a team at ED2, Toyota’s European design studio in the South of France, the C-HR Hy-Power Concept paves the path to a hybrid car with sporty credentials. Now while this may look production ready to you, Toyota is still saying that we need to wait till the end of 2018 to know more about it. So, we know the powertrain is here to stay, but its application in the C-HR crossover, is what Toyota isn’t confirming yet.
One look at the car and you’ll see that there are no changes whatsoever in the overall design, so all the panels on the C-HR are the same. What has changed though is the paint and some addition of graphics and decals to lift the whole car up. The C-HR Hy-Power makes use of a new Dark Carbon silver paint with a matt finish to accentuate the interplay between the vehicle’s sharp lines and deeply sculpted surfaces. The effect is heightened by the use of gloss black elements, including the lower front lip spoiler, the area above the Toyota emblem on the front of the car and the wheel arch trims. Dark chrome sustains this effect, witnessed in the headlamp ornamentation, window frames and in the 20-inch alloy wheels.
A dramatic contrast is struck an anodised Burning Orange finish on the front pillars, the door mirror housings and an accent bar within the headlamp units. The colour is also used as a highlight within the black diamond mesh pattern of the lower grille. The use of colour, texture and form combine to even greater effect on the concept car’s roof. A ‘diamond-cut’ film covers the entire surface mixing together contrasting matt and gloss planes.
The concept has been designed around the use of a new hybrid powertrain that offers more power and performance than the 122 DIN hp system featured in the current production Toyota C-HR. Toyota does mention that the Hy-Power version, makes more power, how much more, is what it hasn’t let on. More details regarding this expansion of hybrid will be revealed early in 2018. Toyota used the unveil of the C-HR Hy-Power to announce a new strategy for its hybrid vehicles. Toyota Europe boss Johan Van Zyl explained: “In future we will provide all models with two hybrid powertrains. One will focus on fuel efficiency and economy. The second will offer more power and enhanced driving dynamics.”
