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Scion C-HR concept previews an aggressive compact crossover (pictures)

Shown in Europe under the Toyota badge, Scion takes over the C-HR concept for the US, showing off this design for a new compact crossover production vehicle to launch next year.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
Scion C-HR concept
1 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

LOS ANGELES -- Following its debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September, Toyota brings the C-HR concept to the Los Angeles auto show under the Scion badge.

Scion C-HR concept
2 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Despite an outlandish design, the C-HR concept presages a compact SUV for Toyota. However, the concept's appearance under the Scion badge in Los Angeles indicates a different sales strategy for the U.S.

Scion C-HR concept
3 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

C-HR stands for 'compact' and 'high ride', somewhat minimal descriptors for this concept.

Scion C-HR concept
4 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The concept's design cues appear on current Toyota models, such as the lower air intake with the side vents.

Scion C-HR concept
5 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

As a compact SUV, a model based on the C-HR would combine cargo utility in a small footprint vehicle.

Scion C-HR concept
6 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Typical for a concept, the wheels are oversized.

Scion C-HR concept
7 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Narrow casings could indicate LED headlights in a future production car, quickly becoming a standard in the industry.

Scion C-HR concept
8 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The C-HR is built on Toyota's New Global Architecture, a new platform also used for the Prius, which will likely underpin the majority of Toyota's new cars.

Scion C-HR concept
9 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Fenders are a bit extreme on this concept, and would seem unlikely to make it to production.

Scion C-HR concept
10 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Loopy taillights are also a feature unlikely to make it to production.

Scion C-HR concept
11 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Side mirrors are kept small, which would help aerodynamics.

Scion C-HR concept
12 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The heavily raked rear window would seem to minimize rear cargo capacity.

Scion C-HR concept
13 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The sides of the taillights show an interesting pattern.

Scion C-HR concept
14 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The C-HR concept takes off in a different direction than current Toyota styling, with more rounded sides.

Scion C-HR concept
15 of 15 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

It is possible a production car based on this concept could retain some of its extreme features, competing with the likes of the Nissan Juke.

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