Toyota is giving the C-HR crossover a similar update
in Japan to the one recently revealed for Europe and North America. However, the
carmaker’s domestic market gets some extra goodies that aren’t available in the
rest of the world. The most important of them is the C-HR GR Sport model
developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing. Compared to the standard version, it brings
styling and chassis tweaks that make it look more aggressive and sharpen up the
driving experience, respectively.
Styling-wise, the 2020 Toyota C-HR GR Sport adopts a
new front bumper incorporating a massive lower grille with a horizontal bar,
under guard and large fog lamp bezels, GR Sport emblems on the grille, front
fenders and tailgate, and exclusive 19-inch dual-tone alloys shod with 225/45
R19 tires. Customers can have the C-HR GR Sport in 11 colors, including 5
two-tone schemes with black-painted roof and A-pillars.
Inside, the GR Sport model gains a small diameter
sports steering wheel wrapped in leather with silver stitching and featuring
the GR emblem, sports seats with GR logo and silver double stitching, aluminum
pedals, and metallic dark silver trim.
Beyond these cosmetic upgrades, the 2020 Toyota C-HR
GR Sport receives a center brace below the floor which is said to enhance body
rigidity. Additionally, Toyota Gazoo Racing gave the suspension special tuning
(coil springs, shock absorbers and stabilizers) and improved the steering
improved response for a sportier driving experience.
GR Sport model aside, the 2020 Toyota C-HR for Japan
gains similar styling upgrades as the European and North American models, as
well as a new 6-speed iMT (intelligent manual transmission) with rev matching
for the 1.2-liter turbo model with front-wheel drive. Furthermore, all C-HR
models gain the latest Display Audio multimedia interface with Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto, DCM in-vehicle communication, and updated safety kit.
Available from October 18 across Japan, the 2020
Toyota C-HR starts at 2,367,000 yen (US$ 21,790) in base ST trim powered by the
1.2-liter turbo engine hooked to the new 6-speed manual transmission and
front-wheel drive. The cheapest GR Sport model, also based on the ST trim and
featuring the same powertrain, retails for 2,732,000 yen (US$ 25,150). Besides the
1.2-liter turbo, which also offers AWD in combination with the Super CVT-i, the
engine lineup includes the 1.8-liter THS Ⅱ hybrid.
