SEMA 2017: The Toyota C-HR R-Tuned is a high-performance crossover

This is the 447kW Toyota C-HR R-Tuned.

While most C-HRs will be confined to the Woolies car park or the street outside the gym, this one gets to hit the track – fast.

In fact, Toyota took it to Willow Springs International Raceway in California, where it apparently beat the lap times of “all but five production cars” on the ‘Big Track’ with a 1:25.22.

Toyota claims it was faster than the McLaren 650 S Spyder, Porsche 911 GT3, and Nissan’s GT-R NISMO.

Under the bonnet is a 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE and a custom Garrett turbo system built by DG-Spec, the workshop that built the car.

To help it stop and corner, Brembos with 14-inch rotors and DG-Spec Motion Control Suspension motorsport dampers can be found underneath the C-HR.

Instead of the CVT found in a stock C-HR, a five-speed Toyota E-Series manual transmission helps get power to the front wheels, while an OS Giken LSD helps with traction and cornering.

Toyota media and marketing vice president Steve Curtis says the C-HR R-Tuned follows on from the Sienna Toyota revealed at a previous SEMA.

“The Sienna R-Tuned we showed two years ago at SEMA redefined the perception of what a family minivan could become with a bit of racing inspiration,” Curtis says.

“With the C-HR R-Tuned, we took it to another level entirely.”

DG-Spec owner Dan Gardner says the C-HR has probably gone through more track testing than most cars shown at SEMA.

“The C-HR R-Tuned has been to the track every month since we started the project late last year.

“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!”