THE term SUV for sports utility vehicle, is dead, as far as Toyota is concerned because it will soon have its C-HR on sale in Australia.
Offered in two premium grades when it arrives early next year, it has “extroverted styling, an upscale cabin ambience with superior features, advanced safety and fun-to-drive dynamics”.
The C-HR is the first Toyota with a diamond theme: faceted gemstone-like shapes, fluid surfaces and elegantly integrated detailing.
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READ NOWUnder the glitter is a new, highly rigid platform, a powerful and efficient turbocharged engine and front or all-wheel drive powertrains.
Toyota’s Tony Cramb says the C-HR is an evolution of SUV.
“C-HR is for people who want something special – those who desire the innovative dynamism and emotional appeal that a traditional SUV can’t offer,” he said.
“It has four doors and a hatch, but it’s not a hatchback; it’s compact while having a large interior and room for five; it has a high driving position, yet it’s not a boxy off-roader.
“Not only does the C-HR always look like it’s on the move, the new platform and turbocharged petrol engine ensure it delivers an agile driving feel.”
The higher of the two local grades for C-HR will be called Koba, a tribute to global chief engineer Hiroyuki Koba.
Local models will feature safety features such as a pre-collision system with autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering control, automatic high beam and a reversing camera.
The Koba variants will also have heated seats, a smart entry and start system, privacy glass and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Australian models will feature a 6.1-inch touch-screen display and new two-tiered front-seat design.
Diamond-shaped switches evoke the exterior styling cues and the diamond theme is also visible in the door trim pattern, the headliner and the needles of the driver’’s analogue instrument dials.
Decorative elements are finished in high-quality piano black and satin silver trim with clear blue illumination for the instruments and switches.