Toyota C-HR interior showcases new direction

Toyota has detailed the funky new interior of the upcoming C-HR with the first official release of images of the compact crossover’s interior. Targeting class-leading sensory quality, the interior of the new C-HR delivers a modern and sensual style that is unusual to a car company often associated with conservative design.

According the Toyota, the new C-HR interior showcases the “emotional appeal” of its future vehicle interiors, and sets a new direction for its segment. The company’s global president Akio Toyoda is determined to allow greater stylistic freedom and promote engineering creativity with eye-catching designs and enhanced driving pleasure, and from the outset the C-HR is a promising proposition.

Due in Australian showrooms early next year, the C-HR remains remarkably true to the concept cars that drew high praises at motor shows in Paris in 2014 and Frankfurt in 2015.

Chief designer Kazuhiko Isawa said the C-HR will give Toyota a powerful new presence in the growing small SUV segment, creating “a new frontier with a vehicle that is full of originality”.

“That newness comes from SUV robustness and strength. But we’re not trying to make an SUV that’s dynamic; rather, a dynamic vehicle with SUV-like properties,” Mr Isawa said.

The interior styling represents a fresh approach for Toyota with a new “sensual tech” design concept combining high-tech functionality with a sensual and fashionable style.

An airy, expansive cabin has been created through the seamless layered architecture of the instrument panel that continues through to the door trim with a stylish ornamentation and a piano black panel.

Operating switchgear is slightly oriented towards the driver and an asymmetrical centre console design is said to ensure all controls are within easy reach.

Australian models will feature a 6.1-inch touch-screen that extends from the instrument panel rather than being enclosed by it. This enhances driver visibility due to the design requiring a lower profile for the upper dashboard.

According to the Japanese car maker, designers focused painstakingly on component quality and the consistency of grain, texture, shape, colour and illumination in every element, even the stitch groove radii of the seats.

A unique new two-tiered front seat design combines a slender, sporting upper section with a more strongly bolstered and supportive lower area.

Reinforcing the link between interior and exterior design, the shape of many switches reflects the diamond motif of the exterior body shell. The same diamond theme is also visible in the door trim pattern, the headliner and even the needles of the driver’s analogue instrument dials.

Decorative elements are finished in piano black and satin silver trim with clear blue illumination for the instruments and switches. Prominent blue highlights across the dash and door trims for European models will be replaced by cool-grey inserts for Australia.

Local models will feature advanced safety features including a pre-collision system with autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering control, automatic high beam and a reversing camera.

Other available features include heated seats, a smart entry and start system, privacy glass, 18-inch alloy wheels and bi-tone metallic paintwork.

Positioned between the Corolla hatch and the RAV4, the C-HR uses the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) and combines a rugged lower body and raised ground clearance with the slim and sleek cabin profile of a coupe.

The exterior design features a diamond architectural theme with wheel arches projecting prominently at all four corners. Coupe-like styling for the five-door C-HR is further enhanced by disguised rear door handles integrated within the C-pillar, a sweeping roofline and an aerodynamic skeletal frame rear spoiler.

The C-HR for the Australian market will be powered by a new 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 85kW and peak torque of 185Nm. It will be available in front and all-wheel-drive configurations with six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmissions.