2023-06-26 07:00:00
Toyota – for a long time that also stood for quite boring design. That changed at the latest in 2016 with the C-HR. Initially, the somewhat phlegmatic hybrid drive could not quite keep what the external form promised, but that changed three years ago with the introduction of the 2.0-liter engine. Now Toyota has introduced the second generation of the compact crossover. It is only offered in Europe, where it was also developed.
The successor is to repeat what the predecessor achieved with a total of over 750,000 units: win more new customers for the brand than any other model. Toyota has primarily oriented itself to a younger group of buyers. This applies not only to the once again expressive exterior design, but also to the interior and operation. Digital natives and smartphones set the tone here.
The main features of the current model still shine through, and yet the coupé highrider (C-HR) has been completely redesigned. In view of the model designation, it is astonishing that the rear door handles no longer disappear into the window frame, but can be found in a conventional place. Advantage: The window section in the rear could be significantly enlarged. At the same time, Toyota didn’t stop at conventional door handles, but used the Lexus LC and made them flush. Up to 20-inch wheels with a wider track give the C-HR an even stronger visual presence. It is further reinforced with the two-tone paint finish, which emphasizes the rear section from the C-pillar onwards.
Toyota has placed great value on all kinds of light effects. For example, the ambient lighting with up to 64 colors changes from red to blue when the air conditioning reduces the temperature. It adapts to the different light conditions of the day and automatically changes to a warning red if, for example, the door exit assistant detects a hazard, or in the case of the plug-in hybrid it reflects the charge level of the battery.
The rear lights in the spoiler lip greet the driver as they approach with a light that moves upwards from below (when exiting the vehicle it goes in the opposite direction) and the welcome lettering “Toyota C-HR” appears. There is also a welcoming and farewell ceremony in the front.
The Toyota C-HR is equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that allows different displays. There are three preset layouts that can be personalized using the steering wheel buttons. The uniform use of colors and fonts for the instrument cluster and multimedia screen is intended to increase user-friendliness. A voice assistant is also on board. For example, although the speaker grilles of the JBL system are made of real metal, the proportion of parts made from recycled plastic has been doubled. It is used, among other things, in the side paneling of the trunk and even on the seats. A new type of panoramic roof, which is accompanied by three centimeters more headroom, insulates better in winter and protects better against heat in summer.
However, two points are noticeable in the interior design: the edge of the glove compartment with the open shelf above it protrudes quite far into the front passenger’s knee room and he is separated from the driver by a small curved wall in the center console, the meaning of which does not want to be revealed.
The drive portfolio for diesel fans consists of a 1.8 liter engine with 140 HP (103 KW) and the 2.0 liter engine with 198 HP (140 kW) for the hybrid and the plug-in hybrid. Like the new Prius, the latter has a system output of 223 hp (164 kW) and is also said to be “best in class” with a standard electric range of up to 66 kilometers. The petrol engine rotates 500 revolutions per minute less. For city driving, the C-HR Plug-in Hybrid also offers the option of single-pedal driving. In addition, the cold start properties of the electric motor have been improved, so that the C-HR PHEV can now start up at lower temperatures without the help of the combustion engine. In addition, the all-wheel drive version gets the newly developed AWD-i drive.
The C-HR is scheduled to come onto the market at the beginning of next year. The prices and the final consumption values are therefore still open. (cen/jri)
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