2017 Toyota C-HR Build Inspired by Gundam Style

Hiroki Ichii - 2017 Toyota C-HR Build Inspired by Gundam Style

Location: Japan | Age: 52 | Occupation: Company Employee
Instagram: @hiroki_ani

Author: Donnie Rochin
Instagram: @r0cean11
Website: www.r0cean11.com

Facebook: r0cean11 Photography

A Passion Born from Routine Turned Art Form

Q: What got you into cars?
Hiroki reflects on his automotive journey with nostalgia:

“Back when I was growing up, getting your license and driving was just part of becoming an adult. Everyone did it. It wasn’t just a hobby or a lifestyle—it was the norm.”

But over time, what started as a rite of passage became something far deeper. For Hiroki, cars evolved into an art form—an expression of personality and creativity. What once was transportation is now a canvas.

Standing Out with the Toyota C-HR

Q: Why did you choose the Toyota C-HR?

“For me, it was all about design,” Hiroki explains. “The moment I saw the C-HR, I knew it was different. It broke the mold of what people expected from a compact crossover.”

He was drawn to its sharp lines, futuristic stance, and bold presence. Unlike any other SUV on the market, it looked aggressive and forward-thinking—like a concept car made real. That initial impression sparked a transformation journey that would turn this crossover into a uniquely styled expression of Hiroki’s vision.

A Look Back at the Road So Far

Q: What was your first car?

“My first car was a Honda Prelude BA5,” Hiroki says with a smile. “Back then, it was all about sportiness and fun.”

That love of driving soon turned into a phase of drifting, where the Nissan Silvia S14 became his go-to machine. Those formative experiences laid the groundwork for his deep mechanical knowledge and appreciation for car culture.

“Now I’ve shifted gears. My focus is more on styling and customization. With the C-HR, I’m blending performance with visual artistry.”

From Behind the Wheel to Behind the Lens

Q: Do you have any hobbies related to your car?

“Absolutely—photography,” Hiroki says.

He sees photography as an extension of the build process. It’s one thing to modify a car—but another to capture its personality through a lens. For Hiroki, photos are storytelling. He enjoys finding the right angles and environments to highlight the car’s aggressive design and stance, creating a visual dialogue between the machine and its surroundings.

A Gundam-Inspired Machine

Q: What was your inspiration for customizing the car?

“The overall design theme of my C-HR is inspired by Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn,” Hiroki shares.

He’s long admired the futuristic, mechanical style of the Gundam series. Translating that into a real-world build meant integrating sharp, angular styling, striking geometry, and bold aesthetics throughout the C-HR.

From custom aero to detailed lighting and interior refinement, this build is more than a modified car—it’s a tribute to anime culture and Japanese design innovation.

Toyota C-HR Build Details: Modifications & Specs

Exterior Aero

• Front Bumper: ROWEN

• Side Skirts: MODELLISTA BEYOND

• Rear Bumper: ROWEN

• GT Wing: Custom-made, hand-built for a one-of-a-kind silhouette

Suspension & Chassis

• Coilovers: HKS HYPERMAX

• Springs: 326Power 36k – for aggressive stance and precise handling

• Arms: t-demand Skid Racing – enhancing adjustability and fitment

Wheels

• Model: WORK Emotion ZR-10

• Specs: 20" x 11J +6 Offset – perfectly filling the widened arches

Interior

• Fully reupholstered in premium suede

• Custom LED ambient lighting for nighttime presence

Audio System

• Head Unit: Carrozzeria

• Speakers: Ground Zero

• Amp & DSP: HELIX

• Custom outer baffle speaker system – engineered for audiophile clarity

Collaborators & Shops

• Suspension Tuning: YSR – @ysr0443

• Paint & Detailing: glossFactory – @kenkengloss

Looking Ahead

Q: What’s next for the build?

“The next big step is to install large-diameter performance brakes,” Hiroki says. “The visual impact is one thing, but the stopping power has to match the look. It’s all about balance.”

For Hiroki, style never comes at the cost of function. Every upgrade is part of a broader goal: cohesive performance and appearance.

A Vision Beyond the SUV Label

Q: Any specific vision for the final look?

“Even though the C-HR is technically an SUV, I want to push it as far into the GT car aesthetic as possible.”

The lowered ride height, sharp aero, and wide stance are all part of that mission. Hiroki wants the car to spark curiosity and turn heads—to blur the line between crossover utility and sports coupe design.

“I want people to see it and ask, ‘What is that?’”

Mission accomplished.

Call to Action

Do you have a build story like this one? Got a build on a budget? We want to see it. Submit your story to Stance Auto Magazine, and you could be the next featured owner showing the world how to do it right—without breaking the bank.

And hey, don’t forget to tag us on socials. Use #stanceautomag on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook so we can see (and maybe feature) your ride.

Order Your Car Magazines From Our Amazon Book Store

Get Noticed Use our Hashtags - #stanceauto #stanceautomag #stanceautomagazine #modifiedcarmagazine

UKTM no: UK00003572459