The star of Toyota's future-looking 'Kenshiki' event last week was the C-HR Prologue, a concept car that previews how the second generation of the C-HR crossover will look when it is launched in time for 2024 sales. The dramatic styling comes with a promise of more interior space and the addition of plug-in hybrid power.
Hammerhead nose
As the need for large radiator grilles reduces, and LED technology allows for ever-slimmer headlights, Toyota has created a new design motif for the front of its cars, one it refers to as the 'hammerhead face' - after the shark of the same name. The idea has been seen on the new Toyota Prius already, alongside the bZ compact SUV concept car, and it carries through to the C-HR Prologue.
Though the 2024 C-HR bound for Irish showrooms may feature a slightly toned down take on the Prologue's nose design, expect it to look very similar - Toyota pulled off the same trick in the transition from Prologue to production car for the Aygo X.
On the subject of which, check out the C-HR's striking rear end, featuring a large contrasting black section, similar to that available on the Aygo X. It picks up on the success of the bi-tone paint option offered on the outgoing C-HR and vividly extends it. Like the Aygo X, there are large-diameter alloy wheels and short overhangs to give the C-HR presence and stance. Despite appearances, it is expected to be a larger car.
Intricate rear lights enhance the appearance further, while Toyota has added a third colour to proceedings, a metallic orange (it calls it 'sulphur') used on the trailing edge of the shapely roof, within the stylised rear diffuser and within the front apron.
Plug-in hybrid C-HR coming
Although Toyota hasn't shown what the Prologue's interior looks like, it has confirmed that the 2024 production model will come with the option of plug-in hybrid power for the first time. It's expected that it will make use of the new Prius's fifth-generation PHEV system, based around a 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 13.6kWh battery pack. If so, that means around 223hp output and an electric range in the region of 70 kilometres. It's unknown at this stage if an all-wheel-drive variant will be developed.
No electric C-HR?
When Toyota unveiled the new Prius recently, some onlookers wondered why there was no electric version on the cards. The thing is, Toyota uses separate platforms for its electric models, as it reckons that to use the same underpinnings as its cars using internal combustion engines results in too much compromise. Hence, there won't be an all-electric C-HR.
However, all is not lost, as Toyota has confirmed that it will be selling six different "bZ" (beyond Zero) cars by 2026, and the recently unveiled bZ compact SUV concept will morph into an electric car that will be of similar size and design to the C-HR.
It wouldn't be drawn on what the other bZ models will be, but one market placement graphic suggested that at least one of them is likely to be smaller than the new Toyota bZ4X SUV.
The production version of the new Toyota C-HR is expected to be unveiled in late 2023, with Irish sales beginning in 2024.