Intended to be the best of both worlds, crossovers deliver the ruggedness of a sport utility vehicle with the handling characteristics of a sedan. At least, that’s the theory. In practice, we’ve often found them lukewarm — sacrificing the best traits of either segment to deliver something that can bridge the gap between them. If that’s what you’re looking for, then there isn’t much of a problem. But we’ve often thought you’d be better off in a hatchback or a more traditional SUV.
Crossovers do have a role to play, however. I find petite examples particularly adept at city duty. But there aren’t many crossovers offering driving excitement below the $40,000 mark, and none of them are particularly svelte. Toyota seems to understand our plight and, in continuing its attempt to rebrand itself as a bold automaker, decided to make something genuinely thrilling out of the ho-hum C-HR.
It’s called the “R-Tuned,” and the manufacturer claims it’s the quickest CUV ever to grace God’s green earth.
That corporate assertion should be prefaced by explaining that the C-HR R-Tuned is not a production vehicle, however. It’s a 600-horsepower showboat the company can show off at SEMA. But it’s pointing in the right direction. If Toyota’s subcompact crossover needed anything, it was more power.
But maybe not this much power. The C-HR’s 2.4-liter Toyota 2AZ-FE uses forged internals from Dezod and a DG-Spec Garrett turbo pushing 23 pounds of boost. They’ve also ripped out the CVT to replace it with a five-speed and added an OS Giken limited-slip differential — a mandatory upgrade since the car remains front-wheel drive. Additional performance parts include Brembo racing brakes with 14-inch rotors and a custom suspension that is likely spine-destroying levels of firm.
“The C-HR R-Tuned has been to the track every month since we started the project late last year,” said DG-Spec’s own Dan Gardner. “It’s probably been subjected to more real-world tests than just about any car built for SEMA. It’s not just a show concept but a track-worthy performance vehicle, and I can’t wait to see what people at SEMA and beyond think!”
I think yes, Dan. Despite this being a track-only vehicle designed specifically to bolster aftermarket attention, it’s good that it exists. It’s nice to see Toyota taking the C-HR to the limit. It’s exciting to hear that the R-Tuned bested production versions of the McLaren 650 S Spyder, Porsche 911 GT3, and Nissan GT-R NISMO at Willow Springs.
But this was a track car, after all. The Sienna R-Tuned (another car I’d like to see go on sale) was also a beast, but it was customized intentionally to be so.
Obviously, we’re not expecting Toyota to offer a stripped-out racer like this for sale. But maybe, just maybe, it will consider offering a toned-down version with rear seats and some headliner. You know, something that could give the Juke NISMO a serious run for its money.
[Images: Toyota]
You know what would help those CUVs handle even better?
Lower ride height and COG.
Science? Gravity? You must be a witch!
“Lower ride height and COG.”
that would make it a car……… oh…… I see what you have done there!
Add lightness, and simplify.
That’s the best comment here in months!
However this think is so ugly, even HP, a splitter and a wing can’t fix it. The lipstick on a pig comment comes to mind.
I would just be happy with the new 2.0T + 6MT & LSD to be honest. More likely we will get everything on this SEMA special with the stock engine
I would love to get some R-Tuned bits to add to a new-ish Sienna (our eventual next vehicle)!
I still can’t get past their decision to call it the C-HR, which to me seems purposefully designed to sow confusion with Honda’s HR-V (and its CR-V big brother.) RAV2 would have made about 50x more sense.
Yes.
It fooled me. I thought it was a Honda until the end of the second paragraph finally spelled out Toyota.
They finally did it. They found a way to make it worse.
Love the Hot Air Intake – patent pending?
“Love the Hot Air Intake”
HAI!
This CUV is useless without a ‘ring lap time. I suspect that this cobbled together pile of expensive parts is virtually undriveable.
What the heck are we doing here!? Just stop..
They can build a 600 hp CUV (which I think stands for “Critically Ugly Vehicle” in this case), but can’t squeeze more than base Camry power out of their sporty coupe?
Also, they seem intent on following Nissan’s Juke. First, make an ugly small crossover with limited practicality, then come out with a stupid fast version. My question is, why? Why did the Juke inspire…anyone?!
Why bother having a CUV when the front splitter means you can’t even get over a speedbump let alone a kerb or grass verge? At this stage is basically looks like a Corolla that’s been stung by a bee and had a bad allergic reaction.
I like fast cars and all but if I can’t go into a Toyota showroom and buy one, what’s the point? It just seems like a waste of everyone’s time.
Yo, that thing is tight! Does it come with a factory fart can exhaust?
Im still waiting for mid/rear engined V6 1.200hp AWD sienna.
The car should still be able to seat 5 person + 2 child seat.
What? No debate over whether the C-HR is a “crossover/CUV” like for the Niro (since it’s not available with AWD)?
Never quite understood the allure of CUVs with the sharply raking hatch/liftgate which takes away cargo space and the whole point of owning a CUV.
Even more so than other small CUVs, the C-HR is a slightly lifted hatchback.