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Until recently, hybrid power and performance weren't considered friendly bedfellows, but developments in motorsport and sports cars have changed all that. Toyota is wading in on the act with a concept C-HR, known as the Hy-Power.
This points the way to what Toyota says is a higher-performance version of its current hybrid powertrain, though no actual outputs or system specifics are quoted. However, the styling does give an indication as to what a sporty hybrid Toyota of the future could look like.
Building on the C-HR's 'diamond' design language, the concept features several styling enhancements intended to outline performance potential. These include a subtle front lip spoiler, as well as various colour highlights aimed at accentuating the C-HR's lines. Toyota has deliberately stayed away from 'bolt-on' additions in favour of a cleaner, fresher look, with plenty of black and dark chrome surface finishes. Well, apart from the retina-searing 'Burning Orange' paint on various exterior panels that is...
The theme continues inside, with more violent orange detailing, as well as sports seats. Created by Toyota's ED2 European design studio, the aim was not to effect major changes on the C-HR's appearance, as chief designer Lance Scott explains: "What we wanted to do was almost to purify or concentrate the unique value of the Toyota C-HR and see how we could give it further emphasis by using a new and unique colour and interior trim execution. The challenge was not to stray away from the qualities that define the car, but to add to them in a fresh and original way."
Toyota has had huge success with its hybrid range to date, with half of all Toyota and Lexus vehicles currently sold in Western Europe featuring hybrid powertrains. The Prius, instigator of Toyota's hybrid revolution back in 1997, has now hit 11 million sales worldwide since its inception.