Toyota plotting sporty C-HR SUV

Toyota has announced it’s considering a sportier version of its forthcoming C-HR SUV.

Said to be inspired by the C-HR N24 that will race at the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance next month, the road car version of the racer will follow in the tyre tracks of Nissan’s 160kW JUKE NISMO that should arrive in Australia later this year.

The news that the Japanese car-maker is considering a faster C-HR was revealed by the C-HR lead engineer, Hiro Koba, while talking to Autocar:

“I am pushing to make such a car. I need to get approval,” he said.

Echoing his views was senior Toyota exec, Robert Serrus, who said a sports version “would be possible” and “would make a lot of sense”.

If given the go-ahead the C-HR could use a development of the race car’s 132kW turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine.

The sportier C-HR could also mimic the race car’s aero package, while under the skin the jacked-up hot hatch will have its own bespoke suspension tune, bigger brakes and, if power dictates, a front-mounted limited-slip differential to aid traction.

Toyota Australia has already confirmed the C-HR SUV will go on sale here early next year, so the sportier version could also join the party later on.

The ‘normal’ C-HR range will be powered by a 85kW/185Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine matched to either six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmissions.

Sitting below the RAV-4, the C-HR is expected to be priced from around $20,000.