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| Toyota's latest concept car looks like the designers took a diamond cutter to a block of pure excitement and then added 21-inch wheels. It is the future of Toyota, and Camry drivers will hate it. |
STILL think Toyota makes square Camrys and Corollas for
unenthusiastic drivers who just want to get to point B in relative comfort and a
lot of reliability?
Then think again and take a second look at Toyota’s reworked C-HR
Concept, which is now on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The C-HR shows where the world’s top car sellers are steering
design as part of its new global architecture programme, and all the square
shapes have clearly been deleted from the computer aided design program.
Instead, think “diamond”.
The second C-HR Concept is the result of co-operation between
Toyota’s ED2 (European Design Development Centre) and the company’s other design
centres.
In the words of the designers: “The lower bodywork has been
sculpted to represent the faceted surfaces of a highly-durable, precision-cut
gemstone.
“An exceptionally sleek cabin contrasts with aggressively angular
rear shoulders and muscular wheel arches that feature unique 21-inch wheels with
‘diamond-cut’ machined-surface spokes.”
At the rear, the glasshouse tapers sharply to a pronounced
diffuser, integrated fog lamps and distinctive floating rear lamp clusters that
incorporate diamond-pattern lens detailing. Piano black paint creates the
impression that the roof is floating and patters on the openings create
interesting shadows, or as the designer states, a “play of light” in the C-HR
Concept’s cockpit.
Despite those high shoulder lines, Toyota stated a very rigid body
and a low centre of gravity to minimise body movement and vehicle roll during
cornering.
“This allows for suspension settings that deliver great ride
comfort without compromising on driving dynamics, equipping the C-HR Concept
with responsive handling, agility and straight-line stability,” read the
statement.
