Automotive

Scion unveils new-ish C-HR Concept, inspired by chopsticks and cutting boards

Scion unveils new-ish C-HR Concept, inspired by chopsticks and cutting boards
The C-HR is nearly production-ready and is planned for introduction in the Scion model lineup in 2016
The C-HR is nearly production-ready and is planned for introduction in the Scion model lineup in 2016
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Scion says that surveys of yuccies found that they identified images from "sleek chopsticks made from recycled materials" and "a cutting board with grid lines"
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Scion says that surveys of yuccies found that they identified images from "sleek chopsticks made from recycled materials" and "a cutting board with grid lines"
Accents on the rear tail lamps mimic those found on the headlights
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Accents on the rear tail lamps mimic those found on the headlights
The Scion C-HR has heavy curves around its rear quarter
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The Scion C-HR has heavy curves around its rear quarter
Sharp edges and strong angles come from the "diamond cut" design elements the car's roofline is based upon
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Sharp edges and strong angles come from the "diamond cut" design elements the car's roofline is based upon
In keeping with the "Weird, Right?" marketing campaign the company has launched, the C-HR doesn’t fit comfortably in any specific category
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In keeping with the "Weird, Right?" marketing campaign the company has launched, the C-HR doesn’t fit comfortably in any specific category
The peering headlamps are emphasized by layered edge lines to accent the front end
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The peering headlamps are emphasized by layered edge lines to accent the front end
The Scion C-HR is a four-door hatchback crossover-style vehicle that seats five and is aimed for "yuccies"
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The Scion C-HR is a four-door hatchback crossover-style vehicle that seats five and is aimed for "yuccies"
The Scion C-HR has a lot of ground clearance
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The Scion C-HR has a lot of ground clearance
The front fascia of the C-HR is very Toyota
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The front fascia of the C-HR is very Toyota
The C-HR appears both powerful and agile, and will be polarizing to anyone who sees it
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The C-HR appears both powerful and agile, and will be polarizing to anyone who sees it
Introduced by Scion’s new boss, Andrew Gilleland, the new production-ready Scion C-HR Concept unveiled at the LA Auto Show
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Introduced by Scion’s new boss, Andrew Gilleland, the new production-ready Scion C-HR Concept unveiled at the LA Auto Show
The C-HR as introduced under the Toyota brand last October
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The C-HR as introduced under the Toyota brand last October
The C-HR is nearly production-ready and is planned for introduction in the Scion model lineup in 2016
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The C-HR is nearly production-ready and is planned for introduction in the Scion model lineup in 2016
View gallery - 13 images

Introduced by Scion's new boss, Andrew Gilleland – who keeps an autographed photo of wrestling legend Ric Flair on his desk and wears a motorcycle helmet featuring Albert Einstein with his tongue sticking out – the new production-ready Scion C-HR Concept has just been unveiled at the LA Auto Show. In keeping with the "Weird, Right?" marketing campaign the company has launched, the C-HR doesn't fit comfortably in any specific category and has odd inspirational themes to go with its new (but not new) introduction.

The C-HR was first introduced under the Toyota brand about a year ago in October of 2014. Shown at the Paris Motor Show, the concept was a hybrid crossover that was a sort of mashup between the RAV4 crossover, the Prius hybrid, and the GT86 sports car. The Scion version shown in LA is more production-ready, though, and is planned for introduction in the Scion model lineup in 2016.

The C-HR as introduced under the Toyota brand last October
The C-HR as introduced under the Toyota brand last October

The C-HR gets its name from the general themes of Compact size and High Ride height. It's a four-door hatchback crossover-style vehicle that seats five and is aimed for "yuccies." These are "young, urban creatives" which emphasize design and distinction as their wants in a car. Scion says that surveys of these yuccies found that they identified images from "sleek chopsticks made from recycled materials" and "a cutting board with grid lines." As opposed, we'd guess, to old typewriters and flood pants for hipsters.

From those esoteric choices came the look of the C-HR. As the quirky Scion boss put it, "It's got 4 doors and a hatch ... but it's not a hatchback. It's large ... with room for 5 ... but it's not an SUV. And it's got a fast-sloping roofline ... but it's not a sports car."

The Scion C-HR has heavy curves around its rear quarter
The Scion C-HR has heavy curves around its rear quarter

The Scion C-HR has a very low roofline, a lot of ground clearance, and a straight-line body that emphasizes the big wheel wells and heavy curves around its rear quarter. It appears both powerful and agile, and will be polarizing to anyone who sees it. Many will not like the look of the C-HR, but Scion is betting that its target market of 20-somethings will.

The underpinnings of the C-HR is a new global platform from Toyota's NGA (New Global Architecture). This is based on a unified platform and powertrain lineup that allows engineers to quickly and more easily develop architecture for a vehicle. The platform design's goal is for a low center of gravity and increased body rigidity, which improves handling characteristics. The C-HR will need that, given that inside those fat wells are 21-inch wheels clad in low-profile tires.

Scion dropped the Toyota talk about hybrid drivetrains for the C-HR, so we can assume that those plans were put aside for the car. Instead, emphasis at the LA show debut was all about design and urban appeal. The company promises more details on the vehicle leading into its 2016 production debut.

Source: Scion

View gallery - 13 images
6 comments
6 comments
minivini
Any word on what makes it go? I like the packaging, but if its insufficiently motivated, that turns it down more than a few notches.
Dan Parker
Maybe it's just me, but I see a 3 door hatchback in the photos.
Bob Flint
Funny I don't see any semblance to flat chopping boards, or roundish chop sticks. But I do believe that the inspiration comes from Sumo wrestlers & tire manufacturer's with the ever increasing push to bigger & fatter. The only saving grace is that when that twisted rear end gets dented, and your $2500 rear light gets cracked you probably won't be able to tell from the original mess...
the.other.will
Style over safety. The driver will have a difficult time seeing things that are both behind & to the side. If this goes to production, the glass should extend in a straight line from the door to the rear. And please drop those silly things on either side of the hatch. They're obviously nonfunctional.
Aaron Turpen
@Dan If you look closely at the rear from the side view, you can see the lines for the second door. The handles are hidden just ahead of the wheel well.
@minivini So far, nothing substantial from Scion/Toyota on the powertrain for the car. Expect a four-cylinder and CVT and they haven't ruled out a hybrid option, but didn't mention one either. It's quite possible the 2.0L turbo in the NX series at Lexus could make it into this car as well and would be a perfect fit IMO.
CorJac
just one word, awful.