Toyota C-HR is the next compact SUV to be reckoned with

[Amirul]

The booming SUV market is diversified into categories like premium SUVs and non-premium ones. The latter is occupied with vehicles like the Honda HR-V and the Nissan Juke in the compact segment. Apparently, Toyota has also joined the heat with its new C-HR. Having made its global appearance earlier this year, the company recently has released official images of the compact crossover.

Exterior

Built on the company’s modular TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, the C-HR features what the company call as ‘Coupe-High Rider’, with diamond architectural cues around the car. The front fascia heralds the latest interpretation of Toyota’s Under Priority and Keen Look design philosophy. It gets slim upper grille that meet up with the car’s angular headlight clusters.

The headlights bulging shape forms swooping lines on the fenders, down the side panels and ending at the tail lights. The arrow-shaped tail lights form a flanking effect for the tailgate, which features more lines and a tiny spoiler.

Interior

The C-HR’s cabin although gets a fresh design, it is however constructed with smoother and fluidic lines as opposed to the dramatic lines on the exterior. Beside the driver-focused cockpit is an 8-inch colour touchscreen on the centre panel, framed by blue trims (hybrid variant).

3 colour schemes available for the interior design – dark grey, black/blue and black/brown.

Engine

Depending on the market it will be sold in, the C-HR will be available with 3 different powertrain packages. The first one is the 8NR-FTS 1.2-litre turbo 4-cylinder, producing 113hp and 185Nm of torque, transmitted via a 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission or a CVT, with a choice of 2- or 4-wheel-drive for the CVT.

Next up is a 2.0-litre CVT variant, fitted with a Dual VVT-i 4-cylinder engine punching out 145hp and 187Nm of torque. This variant will likely make its way to our market if UMW decides to do so.

As for the hybrid powertrain, the C-HR will be powered by a 1.8-litre VVT-i Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder unit, paired to a pair of electric motors, the same package found on the new Prius.

Safety

For certain markets, the C-HR is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense as standard, which consists of a Pre-Collision System (including Pedestrian Recognition), Lane Departure Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Parking Assist System and Road Sign Assist.

Production of the C-HR has already begun for the European markets, to be followed by North America before reaching the Asian markets.

 

[6UE5t]

Not bad, got manual 6 speed transmission some more! Rear lights looks like copying the new Civic while front looks like copying Renault style though.

 

[vr2turbo]

Probably MT won't be here. As for SUV market will be flooded soon with BRV also coming

 

[sweelt]

Not bad, got manual 6 speed transmission some more! Rear lights looks like copying the new Civic while front looks like copying Renault style though.

Some angle, also look like nissan juke.

 

[RENESIS VIII]

I like the manual version but too bad most probably it won't come here or even anywhere in south east asia... Modern manual cars nowadays mostly went to European countries.

 

[vr2turbo]

Mentioned probably the 2.0 will be here and not the 1.2T, wonder why? Road Tax will be so cheap......lol

 

[sweelt]

Word "T" too powerful yet gain less in roadtax for errrrr....
lol...
No profit....somemore give public enjoy, mana boleh!

 

[vr2turbo]

Word "T" too powerful yet gain less in roadtax for errrrr....
lol...
No profit....somemore give public enjoy, mana boleh!

Yah! but 1.2 only. Power less but torque same......lol

 

[RENESIS VIII]

Mentioned probably the 2.0 will be here and not the 1.2T, wonder why? Road Tax will be so cheap......lol

Technicians not yet trained to maintain advanced turbocharged engines. All these while they are just doing NA engines. Just guessing.

 

[vr2turbo]

Nowadays just hook up to computer, then follow computer to change this and that. Nowadays hardly they do repairs

 

[RENESIS VIII]

Nowadays just hook up to computer, then follow computer to change this and that. Nowadays hardly they do repairs

Maybe it is the difficulty of hardware changes? Like switching out spark plugs or servicing the turbo. That 1.2 litre 8NR-FTS engine is a direct injection model. If I am not mistaken, current UMW Toyota lineup did not consist of any turbo direct injection petrol engines. Only 86 uses direct injection and 2 turbo engines in their lineup is on Hilux 2.5 and 3.0.

 

[vr2turbo]

up to their marketing loh......lol

 

[RENESIS VIII]

up to their marketing loh......lol

Output also not very impressive to attract Malaysians. 113hp and 185Nm. Hp lower than HR-V but torque slightly higher.

 

[vr2turbo]

Driving in town, torque is very important......

 

[RENESIS VIII]

Driving in town, torque is very important......

I agree. Being able to pull away easily during low RPM is very convenient. But some diesel cars like those pickup truck had like over 300 to 400nm torque but their 0-100 acceleration figures are like 12 seconds or more? Is it because of their heavy weight?

 

[vr2turbo]

Torque needed to pull heavy loads not speed...

 

[RENESIS VIII]

Torque needed to pull heavy loads not speed...

Isn't torque affects acceleration too?

 

[vr2turbo]

Isn't torque affects acceleration too?

Yes, but gearing, weight, tuning all plays a part. Like diesel torque comes in at very low rpm, so how do you get the truck to go fast....lol

 

[RENESIS VIII]

Yes, but gearing, weight, tuning all plays a part. Like diesel torque comes in at very low rpm, so how do you get the truck to go fast....lol

Their red line is very low too. Hilux is like at 4400 rpm. But these cars when they accelerate abit, I can feel the forces pulling me back to the seat. Feels fast but not really that fast.