Toyota is making its presence felt in the crossover market courtesy of the C-HR which made its world debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show. Designed to stand out both within the Toyota line-up and in its segment, the unique character of the C-HR demonstrates the flexibility of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) for vehicle developers in the three key areas of design, powertrain and dynamics, allowing them to deliver a fresh take in the increasingly popular crossover segment.

As a result, the C-HR remains remarkably true to the general features of the concept-cars that attracted so much public attention at Paris in 2014 and Frankfurt in 2015. The coupe-like lines are a testimony to the resolve of its designers to create a style that stands out in the Toyota range, and to establish a new direction amongst mid-sized crossovers.

The C-HR introduces a distinctive styling featuring a body with a diamond architectural theme with wheel arches projecting prominently at all four corners to emphasise the new crossover’s strength and rigidity. The C-HR’s modulated structure combines the powerful lower body and raised ground clearance with the slim and sleek cabin profile of a coupe. The slender upper grille flows from the Toyota emblem into the sleek, aggressive wing extremities of the headlamp clusters and wraps fully around the front corners of the vehicle. The lamp clusters incorporate full LED lighting with light guides and sequential turn signals, giving the C-HR its own unique visual signature. Below, the enhanced three-dimensionality of the bumper that’s integrated with the wheel flairs and the trapezoidal lower grille architecture reinforce the C-HR’s wide, firmly planted stance.

The C-HR’s coupe-like styling is further enhanced by disguised rear door handles integrated within the C pillar, and the powerful projection of the sweeping roofline into a large, skeletal frame rear spoiler. To the rear, the strongly tapered cabin integrates the back door while securing luggage space. This contrasts with the pronounced flaring of the wheel arches to give the new crossover a wide and extremely powerful stance. Standing proud of the tapering body work, prominent rear light clusters may also be equipped with LED lamp technology to give the C-HR an equally expressive rear light visual signature.

The C-HR will be equipped with two powertrains in the UK including the latest-generation full hybrid power plant and with CO2 emissions of less than 90g/km it is unrivalled within its segment. Delivering 122bhp, this new hybrid powertrain is more efficient and lighter, and offers sharper performance than previous hybrid systems. Detailed design changes to the engine have resulted in a thermal efficiency of 40% – a world-beating performance for a petrol unit. Other hybrid system components have been made lighter and smaller, and have been repositioned for optimum packaging, further contributing to the car’s lower centre of gravity.

Alternatively, the Toyota C-HR is available with the new 115 bhp/85 kW 1.2 litre turbo engine, (first shown in the Auris). This will have a choice of 6-speed manual gearbox or a Continuously Variable automatic Transmission system, which is developed to meet expectations in response and direct feel for European customers familiar with manual and automatic gearboxes. The CVT is available in front-wheel or 4-wheel drive versions.