Launched in 2016, the Toyota C-HR is becoming one of the company's most popular crossover. It has to do with its affordable sticker, compact size, and fuel-efficient engines, but the C-HR also stands out thanks to its outlandish and youthful design. However, a team of designers from ED2, Toyota's European design studio, thinks that the crossover isn't wild enough. As a result, it created C-HR HyPower Concept with added features inside and out and a more powerful hybrid drivetrain.

Unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the HyPower Concept is pretty much a customized C-HR. The goal was to create an even more impactful and emotional styling for the already wild-looking crossover, but there's no official word on whether this project will spawn a higher performance version or a customization program. Still, the C-HR HyPower Concept is an interesting take on the tiny crossover and the design is more than doable in case Toyota votes in favor of a bespoke program.

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Dramatic Contrast

Although the concept car uses the same sheet metal as the production model, Toyota's seemingly minor changes have a big impact on the C-HR's exterior. In order to enhance the interplay between the sharp lines and deeply sculpted, muscular surfaces, the firm created a new paint called Dark Carbon. Essentially a silver hue in a matte finish, it's paired with gloss black front lip spoiler, nose grille, and wheel arch trim for a stealthier appearance.

The HyPower Concept also features dark chrome in the headlamps, window frame, and 20-inch alloy wheels, but the Burning Orange highlights in the lower grille, A-pillars, side mirror caps, and roof provide a dramatic contrast. The latter is particularly interesting, as it has a geometrical pattern with various shades of orange. The roof also becomes darker toward the rear, to the point where it matches the glossy finish of the spoiler and the C-pillars. Pretty cool!

Fancier Interior

The dark vs orange theme continues inside, with the black seats featuring orange headrests and bolsters. Bright Burning Orange yarn was also used for an asymmetrical quilting pattern on the seatbacks, cushions, and door panels, giving the cabin a premium, Bentley-inspired look.

More Power Under the Hood

The drivetrain was also enhanced for this concept, but unfortunately Toyota is keeping all the details under wraps. All we know is that the HyPower Concept is equipped with a hybrid powertrain and that it delivers more than the 122 horsepower in the standard production C-HR. However, Toyota points out that higher performance hybrid options will be made available in all of its core models and that further information will be revealed in early 2018. All told, it's safe to assume that a more powerful hybrid C-HR will become available next year.

References

Toyota C-HR

Read our full review on the Toyota C-HR.