The All-New 2018 Toyota C-HR
Toyota C-HR – Compact High Rider
That’s one of many acronyms and hidden “gems” (more on this later) that make up Toyota’s first Compact SUV. Like the FR-S (Front engine, Rear drive – Sport) of Scion fame and Toyota RAV4 (Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD), the letters have a meaning to the name. The C-HR is also one of the first of many Toyotas based on TNGA platform.
TNGA: Toyota New Global Architecture
TNGA is not just a manufacturing process, platform or powertrain but a whole new way of thinking in making better vehicles. There are five core TNGA values that will find their way to the entire Toyota lineup soon. They are as follows:
- Performance
- Comfort
- User-friendly
- Styling
- Safety
One of the most significant changes with TNGA vehicles is the drastic increase in structural integrity. This allows for better performance, safety and of course, comfort with decreased noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). It also provides a better mounting point for advanced suspension and components.
Shining like a Distinctive Diamond
The influence of the diamond can be found throughout the entire vehicle, from the unique sheet metal, to interior styling cues to even some of the lighting elements. If one looks at the profile of the C-HR, they can see the diamond shape in the sheet metal.
Every switch, user control and even noise deadening shapes in the headliner all reflect the diamond motif as well. And what would a diamond be if it didn’t shine! The standard LED running lights were specifically designed to sparkle like diamonds and the puddle lamps in the XLE Premium model shine bright with the Toyota C-HR logo.
A Perfect Blend of Performance and Fuel Economy
Even more short forms for you here with the CH-R having a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine featuring Valvematic technology and putting out 144HP at 6100 RPM and 139 lb. ft. of torque at 3800 RPM. The Valvematic (continuously variable valve train mechanism) allows for the valves in the engine to allow for differing levels of air intake and exhaust depending on driver need and pedal input. Basically, you have maximum power instantly when you need it and maximum fuel efficiency when you don’t. Given the weight and size of the vehicle, this translates into a very smooth yet powerful ride without paying a fuel price with the CH-R having a very respectable fuel economy of 8.7L/100kms city and 7.5 L/100kms highway.
But how all that power gets to the ground is even more important. The TNGA platform allows for a naturally more rigid chassis, meaning that less power is lost through torsional twisting and is directed more firmly to the rest of the drive train. Plus the better mounting for the Macpherson strut suspension in the front and double wishbone suspension in the rear means that more power stays on the wheels themselves where it meets the road. This also means that not only do you have a powerful ride, but it is smooth, quiet and extremely comfortable.
The CH-R was entered and did very well at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. The CH-R placed a credible 84th out of 158 cars in total and finished 3rd in the SP2T class. Lessons learned from this race translated directly into the production model available now and for you to enjoy.
TSS-P - LDA, DRCC, AHB, PCS
That’s a whole lot of acronyms to end off what the C-HR and TNGA is all about: SAFETY!
TSS-P stands for Toyota Safety Sense with Pedestrian detection, which is standard on the C-HR. TSS comes with LDA (Lane Departure Alert), DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control), AHB (Automatic High Beams) and PCS (Pre- Collision System). The lane departure can not only warn you if you start to sway out of your lane, but also may gently help nudge you back in the proper lane in the C-HR. The DRCC is full speed, meaning that it can work from 0 km/h to 180 km/h back to 0 again as need be depending on what the vehicle in front is doing. The pre-collision system helps you with potential obstacles and vehicles but can also detect pedestrians if they happen to wander in front of the vehicle. Add that to the AHB, allowing for better visibility for you and those around you, and you have one safe vehicle.
Safety Sense
In Europe, it attained the top safety honours with anticipated likeness with IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) ratings in NA (North America). So much so, the insurance company, Aviva, has teamed with Toyota to have discounted rates on vehicles equipped with these items. A much-needed relief, especially for those of us living in Brampton, ON. The XLE Premium also adds BSM (Blind Spot monitoring) and RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) adding to an already superb safety system. C-HR is also one of the first vehicles in our lineup to offer the soon to be standard all passenger seatbelt warning system, meaning that all occupants will have to buckle up or the driver will be notified.
So the C-HR has it all! Come in now and get your diamond before they get as rare as the real thing.