Bangkok 2016: Toyota C-HR Makes ASEAN Debut

Less than a month after being confirmed for production at the Geneva Motor Show, the striking Toyota C-HR compact crossover makes its first ASEAN appearance at the ongoing Bangkok Motor Show as seen in pictures provided by colleagues our Thai sister site Auto Spinn.

Confirmed to go on sale in 2017, the C-HR’s surprisingly early appearance in our region suggests that Toyota is plotting an entry into the fast-growing compact crossover segment to take on the likes of the hugely popular Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3.

Underpinned by Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) modular platform, the C-HR will be available with a trio of four-cylinder petrol engines – 1.2-litre turbocharged, 1.8-litre hybrid, and 2.0-litre naturally aspirated. Transmission options consist of a 6-speed manual and CVT. Which of these combinations will be selected for the ASEAN region is unclear at this stage.

According Hiroyuki Chiba, Co Chief Engineer of the project, Toyota had began conceptualizing a compact crossover as far back as six years ago, but it wasn’t until the TNGA platform was adopted that the project was able to proceed in a cost effective manner.

When launched, the C-HR will be Toyota’s second model to utilize the TNGA platform after the fourth-generation Prius. Moving forward, the TNGA will see wider applications across the Toyota line-up, enabling the company reduce production costs and complexity worldwide.