Toyota has confirmed its plans to build the CH-R crossover, and that a production example would be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1.
It had been long rumored that the CH-R was destined for production, as Toyota has lacked a contender in the red-hot subcompact crossover segment. In addition, there have been sightings of a thinly camouflaged prototype undergoing testing in rainy weather.
The CH-R — that the final name is not known yet — will go on sale in Europe first, then come to the US. European market versions will be built in Turkey, with production starting towards the end of 2016.
The US market version was intended as a Scion when a concept version was introduced at the LA Auto Show last November. However, it was announced last week that Toyota is shuttering the brand, and that the CH-R will debut as a Toyota instead.
Without a player in the funkily-designed subcompact crossover segment, Toyota has ceded market share to the Nissan Juke. The CH-R, to be built on Toyota’s TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, seeks to make a grab for sales in the class.
Toyota did not disclose powertrain details, except to say that a hybrid version would be available at the start of sales. It will go on sale in the US in 2017.
Live photos by Brian Williams.
Leave a Reply