ON THE ROAD – IAN LYNAS DRIVES THE NEW TOYOTA C-HR PHEV

I find it difficult to understand how and why some manufacturers produce electric vehicles which lack style, in fact some are simply bland. Not so with Toyota- when they launched their C-HR, one of its major points was style; it simply caught your attention. For me, and I suspect many others, this is what is required along with a host of other demands. Now Toyota has further expanded their C-HR range with the important addition of a plug-in version.

I have been to Marseille to sample first hand the newcomer, not just in the surrounding countryside of south west France, but also city driving which is nothing short of a challenge in the second largest French city. The exercise was, of course, to allow for us to sample both the rural and urban drive qualities of this new Toyota. The two litre Plug-in (PHEV) joins the recently launched 1.8 and two litre hybrid electric models in the range and like them benefits from the efficiency and performance delivered by fifth generation Toyota hybrid technology. With the arrival of the plug-in version, the choice is widened for the customer. Behind the wheel I enjoyed smooth, effortless drive quality of an electric vehicle with a driving range of up to 65km (41m). The C-HR PHEV has a dual personality, automatically switching to hybrid electric running when its EV battery is depleted; therefore no fear as regards range anxiety, something which drivers of full EVs have or will encounter at some time. I certainly have and it is far from being a pleasant experience.

#The powertrain is made up by a 161bhp (163 DIN hp.120kW) electric motor on the front axle, with energy stored in a high-output 13.6kWh lithium-ion battery, alongside a two litre engine with 150bhp (152 DIN hp/112 kW). Together you can enjoy a total system power of 220bhp (223 Din hp/164kW), enabling 0-100kph (62mph) acceleration in 7.4 seconds. This pleasing performance is matched by efficiency with excellent fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from 19g/km, A clutch-less dual motor system eliminates friction and wear, which means this newcomer uses significantly less fuel when running in hybrid electric mode compared to most competitor PHEVs. Adding to the Drive Mode Select systems Normal, Eco and Sport options, there is a Custom option which allows the driver to select their preferred powertrain, steering and air conditioning settings. These personalised settings can be saved for selection whenever desired. The C-HR Plug-in has a 6.6kW on-board charger which allows the battery to be charged from zero to 100 per cent in less than two-and-a-half hours using the optional tri-phase cable and a wall box power supply; a Mode 2 charging cable is supplied as standard for charging using a domestic electricity supply. The MyToyota app can be used to start and stop charging remotely when the vehicle is plugged in; this displays live progress during charging and the EV range. The driver can create a schedule using the app, so the battery can be recharged at the best time; taking advantage of overnight lower energy tariffs. The C-HR PHEV has been tuned to suit European tastes, using real-time data from drivers across the continent; one example, accelerator pedal input sensitivity has been recalibrated for easy control and rapid response. I have driven all versions of the C-HR from its original launch and the PHEV is the most comfy and silent running, impressive for a car with modest dimensions.

A first for any Toyota, the new model features ZF frequency sensitive control (FSC) to enhance handling and ride comfort. The hydro-mechanical system increases damping force at low frequencies to gain superior body control, in roll and pitch, and during cornering. At high frequency, damping is reduced to improve ride comfort. On a road high above the French city, which was not unlike a rally special stage I appreciated the surefooted road handling and ride. Stopping power is of course paramount, 17 inch callipers and discs, together with the latest vehicle stability control systems; there is an electric parking brake and a redesigned brake pedal to help improve control and produce a more natural braking feel. Another factor which aids handling, the Toyota New Global Architecture modular platform allows the PHEV battery to located beneath the cabin floor, helping lower the car’s centre of gravity, this plays a role in agile handling as well as avoiding loss of cabin or boot space; yes there is a practical side to this vehicle as well. Technology abounds with the new C-HR PHEV such as Predictive Efficient Drive which raises efficiency by optimising battery usage, in line with road and traffic conditions and the new geofencing function automatically optimises battery use to maximise EV driving capability in low emission zones. The cabin is impressive delivering not only comfort, but the latest in car technology not for just the person behind the wheel but for fellow travellers. I particularly liked the large central screen which was very user friendly. Of course levels of equipment differs as there is a choice of grades.

Summing up, the PHEV version really does put the icing on the C-HR cake.

Ian Lynas