Toyota teases new compact SUV as GAS opens

Toyota has kicked off a teaser campaign for its new compact Sport Utility Model (SUV) model, ahead of the official unveiling at this year’s 86th Geneva International Motor Show in Palexpo holding from March 3 to 13, 2016.

Based on the C-HR concept from last year’s Frankfurt show, it is expected the carmaker will carry at least some of the concept’s styling lines into the road-going version. Toyota currently refers to the new model as the C-HR.

“The C-HR’s dramatic styling represents a breakthrough in the segment, and shows the new face of Toyota. Based on Toyota New Global Architecture, it brings the promise of an engaging drive experience,” Toyota said in a statement.

Toyota strongly hinted that a five-door body-style will be under the covers at Geneva, but there is no word yet on whether a three-door model is also on the cards. For now, the Japanese brand is giving nothing else away, and the teaser image also contains few clues for fans of the Japanese carmaker.

As a follower of automotive history, you would know that across brands, Audi has the Q3, Mercedes has the GLA and BMW has the X1, but Lexus currently has no ambitions to join those rivals in the small SUV space with a compact crossover of its own.

And that is despite the impending availability of a Toyota-derived small SUV platform that would give Lexus the option of developing a sub-NX soft-roader.

Toyota announced at the last auto show in Frankfurt in 2015 that, it will be bringing a production version of its C-HR compact crossover concept to next year’s Geneva show, sparking speculation that a Lexus derivative may be on the way.

The NX derivative is presently Lexus’ smallest SUV option and is officially classified as a small SUV. However, at 4630mm long, 1845mm wide and 1630mm high it is more akin to midsize competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.

Meanwhile, the Toyota C-HR’s dimensions of 4350mm length, 1850mm width and 1500mm height put it right in the ballpark of the Audi Q3 perceived as currently the most popular small luxury SUV on the market.

MIKE OCHONMA