Toyota’s C-HR crossover SUV has been a part of the range since 2016, and it was first introduced in North America in the 2018 model year. It's one of the key parts of the North American lineup for Toyota, and a car that is currently still in its first generation. However, Toyota recently unveiled a new C-HR, this time called the C-HR Prologue. This is what Toyota is envisioning the next generation of the C-HR will look like, and it is certainly a dramatic change.
Toyota references the launch of the original C-HR Concept in its press release, a car that was initially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show back in October 2014. Toyota says that a new challenge was set by the company for 2022, and that was how to bring the C-HR to an even higher level than the one it was already on. Well, that is what the brand hopes it has done with this new model. While this is at the moment just a concept, it is a clear sign that the real, next-generation C-HR, will be vastly different from the last.
A Very Different Looking New Toyota C-HR
Think of this as more of a taste as to what we can expect from the upcoming Toyota model. The C-HR Prologue concept is certainly quite different to what has come before. Larger wheels and shorter overhangs are one of the key elements for this new C-HR, although it is arguable that the exterior lines of the new car are not as aggressive as what we have on the current iteration of the model. However, that is perhaps not what Toyota is looking to offer with the next C-HR.
Toyota is promising, at least right now, more space inside the C-HR. Something that will appeal to plenty of people. It will be especially good if the new concept is not really any bigger than the current generation of the C-HR. Cars these days do seem to just get bigger and bigger, so if the C-HR can stay similar size to the current one, that would be quite welcoming. We don’t yet have any specifics as to how the extra space is all achieved or as to how much extra space we get, but more space inside is not a bad thing at all.
No Word Yet As To The Production Form
While this concept clearly has the previous C-HR in its lineage, and it is offering something quite different, this is not strictly speaking the production form. Hence, the term Prologue when Toyota talks about this concept. So take some design details on this model with a slight pinch of salt. However, it's unlikely it will deviate too much given that, for a concept, this is not outrageously wild. We have got quite used to concept cars getting unveiled, only for the full-blown production version to really fall short.
The concept itself is actually imagined at Toyota’s European Design Development Center in France. The CH-R has proven a big hit in Europe especially, hence the design team have tried to stay as true as possible to that original design that looks to have worked so well. Sales figures have constantly jumped over the 100,000 mark in Europe of the CH-R. But the design, the department will hope, should in theory bring in a bit of a breath of fresh air to the CH-R and refresh it. It has of course been a while since that first generation hit the production line.
What Else Can We Glean From The Toyota Concept?
Toyota has made a reference to a face to remember in its detailing of the new car. This is the hammerhead face that the company says is part of a 3D architecture, achieved with interlocking shapes as well as a bold lighting signature. The grill apertures shrink in size, while the headlamps slim down to, in Toyota’s words, help to accentuate the high-tech identity of the car. Toyota believes the new C-HR Prologue has a look as sharp as a shark, but that is a little bit debatable compared to the current model.
A Glimpse Into The Future Of A Popular Toyota Product
In terms of crossover design, the C-HR does offer something a little bit different compared to many of its rivals. The C-HR offers a more aggressive and refined design compared to so many blobby and dull crossovers on the market, and Toyota is clearly keen to evolve that further and ensure that it is as strong a sales success as it has been since 2016. Toyota hopes that the qualities it says lie within the current C-HR, audacity, provocation and fun, are all carried over for this new model. It's likely we will see the full production version at some point in 2023.
Source: Toyota