Frankfurt show: Toyota readies hybrid C-HR, new Prado

TOYOTA has announced that it will reveal two new vehicles at this month’s Frankfurt motor show, with the C-HR Hy-Power hybrid concept vehicle, and the new version of the LandCruiser Prado set to make their debuts.

The Japanese manufacturer has released a single teaser image of the new C-HR concept, showing the front fascia which is identical to the production version of the C-HR crossover, save for a two-tone lower mesh grille and the blue-tinged Toyota badge synonymous with hybrid models.

Developed by Toyota’s European Design Centre, the C-HR Hy-Power would become the sixth model in Toyota’s Australian line-up to feature a hybrid drivetrain, joining the Camry, Corolla, Prius, Prius C and Prius V, if the car-maker’s local arm gives it the green light.

If it does come to Australia, the hybrid C-HR would have the unique distinction of being the only compact SUV under $40,000 to offer a hybrid drivetrain.

Mitsubishi offers a plug-in hybrid version of its Outlander mid-size SUV, while Mini is set to offer its Countryman premium compact SUV in PHEV form from late next year.

Kia sells its Niro hybrid compact SUV in other markets, but it is not offered Down Under.

Toyota is keeping its powder dry on what will power the Hy-Power C-HR, but given the C-HR shares its Toyota New Global Architecture underpinnings with the latest Pruis, it could get that model’s petrol-electric drivetrain that offers a combined output of 73kW/142Nm.

Currently the only powertrain offered on the C-HR is an 85kW/185Nm 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that sends power to either the front or all four wheels via a six-speed manual or continuously-variable transmission.

Also to be shown at Frankfurt is an updated version of the LandCruiser Prado large SUV, the baby of the LandCruiser range, which Toyota says embodies its QDR (quality, durability, reliability) principle.

The new model will continue to use a body-on-frame chassis for extra robustness, a feature which the manufacturer claims is unique to the segment.

No images have surfaced of the new Prado, which was last updated in September 2015 and was the first model in Australia to feature Toyota’s new 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine.

To the end of July, Toyota has sold 2681 examples of the C-HR, enough for eighth place in the small-SUV segment behind the likes of the Mazda CX-3 (10,686), Mitsubishi ASX (10,583) and Nissan Qashqai (7712).

Meanwhile, the Prado leads sales in the large-SUV segment with 9874 units moved, an 11.8 per cent increase year on year.

It leads other strong sellers such as the Subaru Outback (7132), Toyota Kluger (6983) and Holden Captiva (6084).

GoAuto has contacted Toyota Australia for local information regarding the C-HR Hy-Power and LandCruiser Prado.