Toyota C-HR may get Nismo Juke-rivalling boost – report

Unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March this year, the C-HR debuted an edgy and sporting new evolution of Toyota’s SUV styling. But, with 98kW hybrid and 85kW 1.2-litre turbo powertrains on board, its performance figures are unlikely to land anywhere near the ‘blistering’ column.

A new report with the UK’s Autocar magazine claims suggests that at least one key executive within Toyota is keen to add a hero model to the C-HR range, and another has conceded that such a model could be on the cards.

Speaking with Autocar, C-HR lead engineer Hiro Koba said that although a hotter variant isn’t “concretely” in the plans, he is “pushing to make such a car”.

Rembert Serrus, senior manager for vehicle assessment with Toyota Motor Europe, added that any potential for a faster C-HR would depend “on how much we need to change”.

“A sports version could be a minor change or it could be a new project. A sports version would make a lot of sense,” he said.

Neither executive offered thoughts on what might drive a quicker C-HR, although the racing-modified version bound for the Nurburgring 24-hour next month will draw power from a 132kW 1.5-litre petrol engine.

That power would bring the C-HR closer to the 147kW Nissan Juke Nismo, although it would fall well short of the 160kW and 280Nm offered by the 1.6-litre turbo Juke Nismo RS. (Neither are offered in Australia, but they could be on the way.)

In its regular form, the sub-Rav4 C-HR will make its Australian debut early next year. For more details on the C-HR, see our links below.

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