Production Scion C-HR Heading to Detroit

Scion C-HR Conept (Credit: © Scion )

Toyota hasn’t been shy with its C-HR concept lately. Not only did it debut as a design study at the 2014 Paris Auto Show, but it also made another appearance at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show, then it landed in Los Angeles with a more production-ready look and a Scion badge. Now, according to Car & Driver, the C-HR will make its production debut at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show.

According to the report, the C-HR, which will don the Scion badge in the U.S., will have a pair of powertrains available – gasoline and hybrid — giving it an instant leg up in the subcompact crossover realm. The hybrid powertrain will hail from the recently redesigned Prius, meaning it will be a 1.8-liter unit, but it will be down about 14 horsepower, putting it at 121 ponies. On the gasoline side of the coin will be a turbocharged 1.2-liter borrowed from the Japan-spec Auris. This engine will reportedly crank out 114 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of twist.

Handling the power will likely be a standard front-wheel drive system, while an optional all-wheel-drive setup will likely be available.

Scion C-HR Conept (Credit: © Scion )

While the C-HR looks awesome in concept form, as it appears ready to gobble up road and everything that gets in its way, its powertrains tell a different story. With a max output of just 121 horsepower, it won’t stand a chance against anything in its segment in terms of straight-line speed, leaving younger buyers – its key demographic – looking for more power elsewhere. What also worries me is that these engines are the prelude to a massive toning down of the C-HR on its way to production to avoid being an all show, no go model.

I just hope that there is another, more potent powertrain lurking below the surface to match up with the awesome-looking concept that we all fell in love with.

We’ll find out soon enough, as the Detroit show kicks off on January 11th.