GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Toyota's new baby SUV

First images of the production version of Toyota's all-new compact SUV, the C-HR, have hit the internet ahead of its world debut at the Geneva motor show on March 1.

The road-ready C-HR – the nameplate the small crossover will carry into showrooms – appears very similar to the adventurously styled concept car that debuted at last September's Frankfurt show.

However, while many of the coupe-like concept's sharply sculpted body surfaces and overall proportions continue into production, the customer car is much lower to the ground and is far less sleek, featuring a higher roofline, flatter body sides, larger side windows and longer rear doors.

So far no details have been announced, but Toyota has previously said its all-new sub-RAV4 model – which rival the likes of the Mazda CX-3 and Nissan JUKE – will be based on the same new  its TNGA platform that underpins the new Prius.

As you can see here, the C-HR to be shown at Geneva will be a hybrid and is likely to share its petrol-electric powertrain with the latest Prius, which arrives Down Under in March.

Whether that version becomes available in Australia remains to be seen, and it remains unclear where our C-HR will be produced.

If production only takes place in Europe, Toyota Australia may struggle to land it at a competitive price, which would need to open at about $20,000. When local production of the Camry and Aurion ceases next year, all Toyota models will come from either Japan, Thailand or -- in the case of the Kluger -- the US.

Naturally, however, Toyota Australia is keen to join this country's booming small SUV sector.

“The stunning looks, compact packaging and outstanding agility inherent in the C-HR Concept mean the production car is definitely on our wish-list for Australia,” said sales and marketing chief Tony Cramb last year.

“Given the right specification, pricing and availability for our market, we would expect the C-HR production model to accelerate the already-hot demand for vehicles in the small SUV segment.

“Toyota is obviously keen to compete in what is the fastest-growing category across the entire Australian market, with sales up more than 30 per cent so far this year.”