Toyota C-HR Hy-Power Concept gets clever cosmetics and the promise of more power

The Toyota C-HR Hy-Power Concept has been revealed at Frankfurt, with clever surface treatments and detailing and the promise of more hybrid power.

Last week we had a tease for the Toyota C-HR Hy-Power which we assumed would be some sort of performance hybrid C-HR. And it is, although we not entirely sure what’s on offer.

As Toyota wake up to the call of the funky – especially with the very good C-HR – it’s an obvious step to create a performance edge too, and the C-HR Hy-Performance is promising that.

Cleverly, instead of adding bolt on bits to the C-HR’s already extreme look, Toyota’s designers have used clever surface treatments and detailing to add emphasis and a degree of sportiness.

Every panel on the C-HR is just the same as the funky original, but Toyota’s European designers have matt silver paint, gloss black trim pieces and dark chrome trim to create a new look, as well as contrasting orange highlights which flow up the roof and extend to the interior too.

It’s an effective makeover, but what really interested us was the ‘Hy-Power’ bit.

Toyota tell us that under the C-HR’s funkier exterior lies an uprated, high performance hybrid powertrain offering more power and performance than the current 120bhp hybrid C-HR.

Sadly, Toyota hasn’t said exactly what sort of extra performance to expect, but they do say this is an indication of their desire to produce performance hybrids across the range.

Which sounds like an appealing plan.