Toyota took to the Frankfurt Motor Show on Tuesday to unveil the C-HR Hy-Power, a design-forward, higher-powered hybrid concept version of its C-HR midsize crossover, which went on sale last year.
Created by a team at Toyota’s ED² design studio in the south of France, the concept takes its inspiration from two natural forces: the process that turns carbon into diamonds, and the fiery molten core concealed beneath solid rock. That’s evident in the concept’s finishing and use of colors, especially the “diamond-cut” film pattern of reds and oranges on the roof, the burning orange stitching in the seats and the subtle highlight accents on the front grille. Those contrast strikingly with the matte-finished dark carbon silver paint on the body.
The automaker showed the original exterior concept in Paris in 2014 and revised it for the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015.
“The challenge was not to stray away from the qualities that define the Toyota C-HR, but to add to them in a fresh and original way,” said Lance Scott, chief designer for Toyota’s ED². “For example, we wanted to retain the high quality of the production car, so we explored different ways of expressing uniqueness in the interior. By using a high-quality leather trim with a unique gradation yarn and stitch patterns, we’re able to build on the fundamental qualities of the interior ambience.”
Toyota says the concept features a hybrid powertrain that boosts power and performance above the 122 DIN horsepower system featured in the production C-HR crossover that will eventually be made available in all of its core models. It says more information about this expansion of its hybrid technology will be made early next year.
The production C-HR comes equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that generates 144 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. The 2018 model will come with the option of a contrasting roof, similar to this new concept.
Related Video:
