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.
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.
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.
C-HR stands for 'compact' and 'high ride', somewhat minimal descriptors for this concept.
The concept's design cues appear on current Toyota models, such as the lower air intake with the side vents.
As a compact SUV, a model based on the C-HR would combine cargo utility in a small footprint vehicle.
Typical for a concept, the wheels are oversized.
Narrow casings could indicate LED headlights in a future production car, quickly becoming a standard in the industry.
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.
Fenders are a bit extreme on this concept, and would seem unlikely to make it to production.
Loopy taillights are also a feature unlikely to make it to production.
Side mirrors are kept small, which would help aerodynamics.
The heavily raked rear window would seem to minimize rear cargo capacity.
The sides of the taillights show an interesting pattern.
The C-HR concept takes off in a different direction than current Toyota styling, with more rounded sides.
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.