Toyota showcases updated C-HR concept at Frankfurt

Toyota has displayed its updated C-HR concept, a compact hybrid crossover, at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show.

The company says it is hopeful of showing a production-ready model of the five-door concept at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2016. The C-HR Concept, which was created to explore new directions for compact crossovers in an increasingly homogenous marketplace, was first revealed at the 2014 Paris Motor Show as a design study.

The concept is visually distinctive, thanks to its expressive diamond-inspired styling, packed full of eye-catching details that have been sculpted and chamfered to represent the facetted surfaces of a precision-cut gemstone. The vehicle builds on two key elements of Toyota's design language ― Keen Look and Under Priority ― to create a bold, emphatic front profile that emphasises the lower grille as well as increasing aerodynamic performance, cooling, and pedestrian safety.

The updated concept represents a step toward commercialisation, with changes such as the shift from a three-door to a five-door format made from a practicality standpoint. Additionally, the roof coloor scheme has been changed from a two-tone (blue and black) to a uniform glossy black.

The C-HR Concept makes use of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), an integrated development program for vehicle platforms and powertrain components. TNGA will enable Toyota to create vehicles with improved chassis rigidity, handling stability, and comfort. Additionally, Toyota aims to give the concept an engine with thermal efficiency of over 40 percent, as well as further improving fuel efficiency by making the hybrid system ― including the motor and battery ― smaller and more lightweight.

More from Frankfurt:

- Mercedes-Benz hosts five world premieres at Frankfurt Motor Show

- BMW reveals three new plug-in hybrids

- Porsche displays Mission E electric saloon at Frankfurt