The Scion C-HR concept at LAAS screams out for attention like a two-year old throwing a tantrum. When it appears as the production version next year, it will likely have grown up into a usable crossover. The C-HR Concept is named for its Compact size and High Ride height. With four doors and a hatch, it is claimed to be the perfect vehicle for “yuccies,” the young urban creatives who allegedly inspired an all out feet-kicking, breathe-holding styling tantrum.
Scion claims these customers put an emphasis on great design and wanted “something distinctive, sophisticated, passionate and clean.” They viewed most SUVs as too boring and wanted something for their urban lifestyle that sparked emotion.
Underneath the head- or stomach-turning look (your choice) of the C-HR is Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform, TNGA. It creates a lower center of gravity, increased body rigidity, more responsive handling and improved ride comfort.
Let us hope the production wrapper looks better. Pricing, when announced, will be interesting as well.
C-HR faces strong competition in its own showroom from the iM 4-door hatchback This Scion is on sale now with an MSRP of $18,460 plus $795 delivery for the 6-speed manual transmission and $19,200 plus $795 delivery for the simulated 7-speed CVTi-S model. The iM is a ‘mono-spec’ model with few options. It is at least $2000 to as much as $6000 under competitive offerings – Mazda3, Ford Focus SE, VW Golf S and Hyundai Elantra GT – and in some cases has equipment those compact cars can’t offer at any price.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
