Bold-new Toyota C-HR goes on sale next February

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Toyota’s flamboyantly styled C-HR will join the fast-growing compact SUV segment when it launches in Australia in February 2017.

The company’s executive director of sales and marketing Tony Cramb, announcing the on-sale timing, said the C-HR is designed to stand out within the Toyota line-up and in its segment.

“C-HR takes a fresh approach with its extroverted design, powerful yet fuel-efficient turbocharged petrol engine and dynamics that reward driving enthusiasts,” Mr Cramb said.

“It is stunning proof of the determination by Toyota to encourage greater stylistic freedom and engineering creativity in order to achieve eye-catching designs and enhanced driving pleasure,” he said.

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Targeting younger buyers, the C-HR is the company’s first compact crossover to be constructed on a new highly rigid platform called Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA).

Global chief engineer Hiroyuki Koba, a keen driver, strategically adapted the Global Architecture platform to confirm it met his requirements to suit the C-HR’s design and driving performance.

According to Toyota, Mr Koba travelled thousands of kilometres in development models, particularly on European roads, to bring to life his vision of driving precision and comfort.

The GA-C platform allows for a low centre of gravity and promises an engaging drive experience with superior handling and agility.

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Calling the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V as rivals, the C-HR will be the first Toyota vehicle in Australia equipped the newly developed four-cylinder direct injection 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

“This impressive engine is tuned to deliver exactly the fluent, engaging driving behaviour that C-HR customers will demand,” Mr Cramb said.

“It offers performance levels equivalent to a significantly larger engine, but with lower fuel consumption and emissions.”

Equipped with Toyota’s Variable Valve Timing – intelligent (Wide) system for even more flexibility in the valve-timing, the blown four delivers 85kW and generates peak torque of 185Nm from just 1,500rpm all the way to 4,000rpm.

The powertrain is mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox with auto rev matching or a seven-stepped continuously variable transmission (CVT). CVT-equipped versions are available with either front- or all-wheel drive.

Toyota says the TNGA allows the C-HR engine to be placed low and angled slightly rearward, helping designers secure a low bonnet line as well as contributing to the low centre of gravity.

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Reflecting the demands of its target customer, the Toyota C-HR will be offered in Australia with two highly equipped variants.

Advanced driver assist safety features will be standard, including a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering control, automatic high beam and a reversing camera.

Top-of-the range customers will be able to specify heated seats, a smart entry and start system, privacy glass, leather-accented upholstery and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Full pricing and specification of the 2017 Toyota C-HR will be announced closer to local launch.

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