Within the huge SUV range that Toyota has, if there is a car that stands out greatly, that is undoubtedly the Toyota C-HR. The brand’s hybrid crossover, despite offering a risky design and not as functional as a compact SUV, has become a real bestseller. And now the time has come to renew this formula, discovering today a Toyota C-HR in Prologue prototype version that anticipates what the second generation of the C-HR will be like and, above all, how it will improve.
On the occasion of the Kenshiki Forum 2022 that we were able to attend live, Toyota discovered us this second-generation Toyota C-HR sneak peek. Under the Prologue label, the Japanese firm presents us a completely new car that seeks to evolve the recipe of the current C-HR. There are no major changes or novelties that break with what is already known, and it is that Toyota admits that the aesthetic approach of the C-HR has not only worked really well for them at the sales level, but they want to keep it for this second generation, keeping as well as one of its most recognizable models.
A sporty design with a lot of character to continue being Toyota’s best-selling crossover
But having said that, this new C-HR will certainly introduce innovations in design, as the irruption of the new stylistic language of the brand called Hammerhead. This philosophy is perceived especially on the front, since it is here where an enormous frontal mouth appears, some tapered, C-shaped LED optics and the use of different planes to give life to an aggressive nose full of personality. Although a certain link with the bZ electric range is hinted at, the C-HR shows a differentiated stylistic commitment.
We also find this idea on the side, where again we find straight lines that allow us to play with the lights in the front doors, finding novelties as interesting as the use of cameras to replace rear-view mirrors either fully flush handles on the front doors and again hidden in the rear doors. The coined design is maintained, emphasizing that vision of a coupe-style car where the drop of the tailgate is pronounced and the glass surface is reduced. The use of different contrasting paints is maintained in this conceptual C-HR, and in fact the brand confirmed to us that the production model derived from this prototype will continue to bet on two-tone configurations given the success obtained with the current C-HR.
The new Toyota C-HR will have hybrid engines from 140 to 223 hp, debuting a plug-in hybrid version for the first time
Once we got to the rear, we discovered another of the points where this C-HR changes the most. Toyota has integrated two huge LED lights that give life to a kind of spoiler on the tailgate, but which also extend to the “C” pillar to create a new lighting signature. We are facing a tall rear, which sports a very horizontal rear window and which is also loaded with muscle to underline the visual impact. Although the production model will soften part of this aesthetic, we can already anticipate that 90% of this C-HR Prologue will hit the streets.
The Toyota C-HR 2023 you can buy hybrid and plug-in hybrid
Unfortunately, the interior design, the equipment or the available technology Toyota has not offered any details. But what has been confirmed is that the new Toyota C-HR, which will be officially presented in 2023, can be purchased in both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid version. If we take into account the latest developments in Toyota’s hybrid range, everything indicates that The new C-HR can be purchased with the brand’s fifth and latest generation of hybrid engineswhich means talking about an engine 1.8 hybrid of 140 CVa second engine 2.0 hybrid of 196 CV and a third engine 2.0 plug-in hybrid with 223 hp that in models like the new Prius PHEV is capable of offering up to 69 km of electric autonomy.
