Toyota C-HR concept to seed new baby SUV

There's a new small Toyota on its way based on the C-HR vehicle seen at Paris Motor Show 2014.

Toyota realises it must have an entrant in the small SUV segment and this is a close representation of what to expect within the next year or two. It will share Prius C underpinnings with a new specifically designed chassis.

As to which powertrains will be offered it's all speculation but they will certainly be shared with other Toyota products. The C-HR fits in underneath the current RAV4 and will be priced accordingly. But the car has been a long time coming with competitors already on the menu offering crackerjack small SUVs... and more are on the on the way this year.

Competition right now centres on Ford Ecosport, Holden Trax, Nissan Qashqai and the Subaru XV with Renault's striking Captur only weeks away.

Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen says "We don't have a model that competes in that segment. We're always looking to compete in all segments."  "It would be below RAV. It's heading in the right direction." 

Toyota has dominated the SUV sector in Australia since the arrival of the original LandCruiser. It opens with RAV and runs through to the heavyweight LandCruiser. The name comes from the C segment for compact cars, H for hybrid and R for crossover.

The styling of the C-HR takes cues from the 86 sports car and Dakar racers, so is unlikely to survive untouched for production. But, typically for Toyota, it will tour the global motor show circuit to get input from potential buyers.

Breen confirms that the C-HR is another project with the personal support of Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda.