We are told that Toyota Gazoo Racing is working on a ‘Toyota GR C-HR’ SUV packing the same engine as the recently unveiled GR Yaris hatchback.
The source claims that the high-performance version of the C-HR will emerge before 2023. This is strange, considering that the next generation should be arriving in late 2021.
To those who missed the premiere, the GR Yaris comes equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine good for 268 hp (200 kW). It packs manual transmission and AWD. The alleged GR C-HR should keep its Toyota TNGA platform while getting a lighter chassis and stiffer suspension.
The Toyota C-HR received a mid-generational refresh last fall, getting a new spec called GR Sport in Japan (shown in the gallery and the video). The GR Sport brings along new 19-inch wheels, a different front bumper, a redesigned steering wheel, bucket seats, pedal pads, and other premium features. Tech-wise, it introduces an additional bottom guard plate, better shocks and springs, new roll stabilizers, and revised power steering. The engine range stays the same: just like the regular C-HR, the GR Sport ships with a 1.2-liter turbo unit capable of 116 hp (86 kW), hooked onto a six-speed manual transmission. If this is not enough, you may opt for a hybrid version that combines a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated engine (98 hp / 73 kW) with an electric motor (72 hp / 54 kW) and electromechanical CVT. The drive stays on the front axle in all versions.
If it ever does come out, the rumored Toyota GR C-HR will constitute a potent rival for other performance SUVs, specifically, the recently revealed VW T-Roc R (296 hp / 220 kW), the impending Hyundai Kona N, and the Ford Puma ST.