Toyota delays B-segment SUV reveal to later this year

Toyota delays B-segment SUV reveal to later this year

Right now, the Geneva Motor Show would have been in full swing, and even though it has now been cancelled, carmakers have still been busy carrying out their plans, unveiling several production and concept cars over the past few days. The sole exception is Toyota, which has decided to postpone the reveal of its new B-segment SUV, according to Automotive News Europe.

The car was due to make its premiere by now, but a source close to the company said the reveal will now only happen “in the coming weeks or months.” The delay will likely be a blessing for Toyota, as it has already said that the car isn’t actually going on sale for another 12 months.

Its Geneva activities had already been reduced this year, its media briefing event – which involves senior executives – having moved from the eve of the show to January. Toyota also held what was effectively a private motor show in Amsterdam, showcasing the new Mirai hydrogen-powered sedan, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid and the fully-electric Lexus UX 300e.

Toyota delays B-segment SUV reveal to later this year

The new small SUV would have been the star of Toyota’s Geneva stand and marked its entry into a booming segment – something the more upmarket, sophisticated and expensive C-HR probably didn’t adequately serve. Figures from market researcher JATO Dynamics showed that 1.9 million of these vehicles were sold in Europe last year, an increase of 20% over 2018 numbers.

Smaller and cheaper than the already petite C-HR, the car should get the same B-segment version of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) as the European-market Yaris. They will be built at the Valenciennes plant in France and are expected to make up around 30% of Toyota’s European sales volume by 2025.

At launch, the car is expected to be powered by its hatch sibling’s parallel hybrid setup, consisting of a 91 hp/120 Nm 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine and a 79 hp/141 Nm permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. It will also be offered with all-wheel drive, rare in the segment.

Toyota expects plenty of orders for the new SUV. “We expect this to be a very successful car. Some cars you look at the styling and it just looks right. This is such a car,” said a Toyota source at the Amsterdam event.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Sam “Hailat” Loo on Mar 05, 2020 at 12:47 pm

    12 months global sales start, 18 months at best coming to Kleptoland… looks like it ain’t gonna make it to my year-end shopping list…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • TN Berhad on Mar 05, 2020 at 4:05 pm

      They have to take care of their faulty fuel pumps first. No time for releasing a new car.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
    • Safety First on Mar 05, 2020 at 5:20 pm

      Have they settled their exploding airbag issues?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Matchy on Apr 22, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    The silhouette macam x6.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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