Sawasdee-kap. We’re at the 2018 Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) and kicking off our live coverage from Impact Muang Thong Thani is the hype car of the moment – the Toyota C-HR. Toyota’s funky rival to B-segment crossovers such as the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 is flashy enough as it is, but here are even more extreme examples.
The star car here is the C-HR TRD, which wears a suite of accessories bearing the Toyota Racing Development name. This two-tone red car with black roof adds on a front spoiler, rear spoiler, trunk lid spoiler, front grille garnish, prominent black overfenders, 17-inch gloss black wheels and plastic garnish between the rim spokes (the silver bits). The package costs 75,900 baht (RM9,447).
Also on display is the C-HR wearing a full Modellista kit. This pearl white example looks fetching from afar, but closer inspection reveals rather garish bits – the fake “gills” on the front wing make no attempt to look legitimate, and the twin pipes are as simulated as they come. Nice rims, though. The Modellista parts aren’t yet available in Thailand officially, but there will be no shortage of private importers.
The C-HR is made at Toyota Motor Thailand’s Gateway plant in Chachoengsao, which exports the B-segment SUV to over 100 countries, including Malaysia. Two engine options are available here – a naturally aspirated 1.8 litre and a hybrid 1.8 litre. The 1.8 Dual VVT-i motor makes 140 PS and 175 Nm of torque, and is paired to a CVT automatic with seven virtual ratios. As is the norm in Thailand, the engine is E85 compatible.
The hybrid model combines a 2ZR-FXE Atkinson-cycle 1.8 litre engine (98 PS/142 Nm) with an electric motor with 72 hp and 163 Nm. Max combined output is 122 hp, but there’s plenty of torque from rest. The battery that powers the motor is a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) unit.
Toyota claims fuel economy of 24.4 km/l and CO2 emissions of 95 g/km. Toyota’s hybrid system is well-proven, but there’s a five-year warranty for the system and 10-year warranty for the hybrid battery for peace of mind.
The 1.8L can be had in Entry and Mid trim levels, while the Hybrid comes in Mid and Hi variants. The base 1.8 Entry (979,000 baht, RM120,954) comes with auto halogen projector headlamps, LED tail lamps, 17-inch alloys, black fabric seats, seven-inch touchscreen audio (USB, AUX, Bluetooth) and seven airbags (front, side, curtain, driver’s knee).
The top non-hybrid C-HR, the 1.8 Mid (1.039 million baht, RM128,367), adds on fog lamps, leather and keyless entry/push start.
The Hybrid Mid (1.069 million baht, RM132,083) will net one all of the above plus full LED headlamps, full LED tail lamps and T-Connect telematics. The top 1.8 Hybrid High (1.159 million baht, RM143,203) gets the full works, further adding on navigation and the Toyota Safety Sense pack.
Not every Thai customer will want to sport-up a crossover that’s already heavy on design, which is why Toyota Thailand offers a big catalogue of non-TRD official accessories for the model. Options range from exterior colour accents (red, chrome) to a floral tissue box cover and matching pillows!. Some are practical, some are tacky, but there’s probably something for every taste.
The Toyota C-HR is now available in Malaysia for RM145,500. We get a 1.8 litre naturally aspirated engine in a single spec from UMW Toyota Motor. The first 50 customers received their new set of wheels last week.
GALLERY: Toyota C-HR TRD
GALLERY: Toyota C-HR Modellista
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
The best car just got better……selling so well here in Malaysia too.
Habis la Boyue
Hahaha! This SA never learns. No wonder their sales drop like waterfall. Even global sales drop.
waterfall like Proton, from 220,000 to 70,000. This month only 3000 plus sales
That took 10 years. Like a downstream river only. Ur toyota went from No1 to No3 in 1 year. Thats like Niagara falls. Hahaha!
Kudos to UMW for bringing the CHR to MY. The 1st of many refined TNGA cars with improved chassis rigidity, handling stability and comfort.
That is one overpriced but still can take my money SUV
SuprimaX SUV designed by Mimos more awesome looks.
Nice looking car…to bad not enough power. Could drop a turbo and push to 230-25o hp at least which can maintain better fuel economy as well.
With our lousy roads and speed limit, what for? You think we have the autobahn?
Here even the Myvi is too powerful for our roads.
Dude what your saying is why bother buy 4k tv for rtm, tv3, ntv7 channels when hd ready tv is enough. When you buy a tv you want the best value for you money. Same as cars. Look beyond myvi’s bro! Whatever it is its just a myvi. If our car market were tax free and open to other manufacturers , myvi’s sale would be much much different.
the back is going to kick some ass in the looks department, but sitting in the back is probably going to make one sick. at least it did for me.
Never seen one on the road yet.. must be selling like hot cakes that their owner keep it in their garage as a collectors item
you may find some near local pasar.
normally elderly bought SUV for market shopping
(Like) Toyota CHR
(Dislike) Peugeot 3008
Buy the Pug 3008 for sheer power, SPACE & comfort.
Chr is really bad looking, is like a toy car, looks good in first glance, but will never last long
50 people disagree with tou
Anyway Toyota owners don’t keep their car long that’s why they’re so concerned with RV
How it looks like when it’s older is of no concern to them
Toyotas dun age well nowadays. After few year spoil here and there. Main reason is due to cheap cost cutting parts. Lousy design that dun age well is another factor.
chr is always ugly…tail light same ugly like civic…no idea what the hype is on….