Geneva Motor Show - As if to throw one big middle finger in the face of anyone who ever accused Toyota designs of being boring, the new C-HR crossover sports an eye-catching exterior that's radical by anyone's standards.
This is the production version of a concept of the same name that emerged back in 2014 and it'll go head-to-head with Nissan's Juke and Mazda's CX-3 in the increasingly crowded compact crossover market that also includes more conservative offerings like the Ford EcoSport, Opel Mokka and Honda HR-V.
Due in South Africa during the first quarter of 2017, the C-HR is built on Toyota's 'New Global Architecture Platform' and while the concept's design had to be toned down to meet the practical demands of the real world, one gets a sense that stylists retained as much of its design flair as possible. The result is a wide stance, flared wheel arches, sloping roofline and eye-catching diamond shapes in the side profile.
Powering the C-HR is a 1.2-litre direct injection turbopetrol engine that pushes 85kW and peak torque of 185Nm from 1500 to 4000rpm. It sends power to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or continuously variable (CVT) gearbox.
This is likely to be the only engine offered in South Africa, while certain overseas markets will also have the option of a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain and a 2-litre normally aspirated engine.