New Lexus 1 Series Rival

Soldato
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There'll be a new player in the 'premium compact' sector next year, as Lexus readies a stylish new hatchback - with a hybrid powertrain.

The new production model will be based on the LF-Ch concept pictured here, which Lexus will unveil at the Frankfurt show next week. Technical details of the hybrid powertrain have not been released with these official images, but the company press release does discuss the exterior and interior design at length.


"A new, bolder Lexus grille design sits above a deep, full-width bumper and air dam, giving a perfect balance of precision and power. The sharply sculpted, aerodynamic front wings overlap the front bumper to create deep, front brake-cooling air intakes and give the LF-Ch a powerful and purposeful wide-track stance," the blurb says.

"In profile, the tapered side glazing, a muscular, rising beltline and a sharply truncated rear overhang project the car's premium compact character. The steeply raked windscreen, long flowing roofline, blacked-out B-pillars and rear doorhandles integrated in the C-pillar window trim combine to give the appearance of a sporting pillarless coupe. At the rear the trailing edge of the roof overhangs the rear window to create an integrated rear spoiler." There'll be a new player in the 'premium compact' sector next year, as Lexus readies a stylish new hatchback - with a hybrid powertrain.


The new production model will be based on the LF-Ch concept pictured here, which Lexus will unveil at the Frankfurt show next week. Technical details of the hybrid powertrain have not been released with these official images, but the company press release does discuss the exterior and interior design (not shown) at length.

"A new, bolder Lexus grille design sits above a deep, full-width bumper and air dam, giving a perfect balance of precision and power. The sharply sculpted, aerodynamic front wings overlap the front bumper to create deep, front brake-cooling air intakes and give the LF-Ch a powerful and purposeful wide-track stance," the blurb says.


"In profile, the tapered side glazing, a muscular, rising beltline and a sharply truncated rear overhang project the car's premium compact character. The steeply raked windscreen, long flowing roofline, blacked-out B-pillars and rear door handles integrated in the C-pillar window trim combine to give the appearance of a sporting pillarless coupe. At the rear the trailing edge of the roof overhangs the rear window to create an integrated rear spoiler."

Inside the concept car has a few 'showbiz' tricks, including ambient lighting in the headlining, but the key elements of its design are likely to make it into the production model.


"Extensive use of semi-aniline leather, polished aluminium, wood and soft-touch materials reinforces the theme of harmonious contrast in the dashboard, door panels and seating. The driving position is low and well-supported, with a wide-grip steering wheel with paddle shift controls and an instrument binnacle housing large twin dials embellished with a turbine motif," says Lexus.

Interestingly, the concept also gets Lexus Remote Touch controls, as first seen in the new RX 450h. With a multi-information display on top of the dashboard, Remote Touch is designed to work like a computer mouse, letting the driver access control and customise a range of information, entertainment and vehicle set-up programmes.


Inside the concept car has a few 'showbiz' tricks, including ambient lighting in the headlining, but the key elements of its design are likely to make it into the production model.

"Extensive use of semi-aniline leather, polished aluminium, wood and soft-touch materials reinforces the theme of harmonious contrast in the dashboard, door panels and seating. The driving position is low and well-supported, with a wide-grip steering wheel with paddle shift controls and an instrument binnacle housing large twin dials embellished with a turbine motif," says Lexus.


Interestingly, the concept also gets Lexus Remote Touch controls, as first seen in the new RX 450h. With a multi-information display on top of the dashboard, Remote Touch is designed to work like a computer mouse, letting the driver access control and customise a range of information, entertainment and vehicle set-up programmes.

Sauce

Good to see another contender in this premium sector and with it being a Lexus this will be rear wheel drive aswell.

I'm confused by hybrid powertrain... Does that mean it's gonna be like a Prius or is it going to have a set of balls to go along with it's awesome looks?
 
Soldato
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That rear view looks like a buck toothed smiling pokemon.

Will be interesting to see what the tamed down version looks like if it ever makes it to production.
 
Soldato
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Wheels are a failure, and the rear isn't all that nice.
Am I the only one who thinks a Yaris has mated with a Mazda 3 for the side profile?
 
Soldato
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I think the interior will change but the exterior will remain as is I reckon. Hopefully not the wheels though.

We are now in a time that we are getting all sorts of wacky cars on our roads and these vertical intakes at the front seem to be quite popular now. Think the Leon Cupra has them and the Insignia VXR.
 
Man of Honour
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Another euro-box astrogolfoleonocus clone, particularly so as the real one will always be more dumbed down than the sketch shown.
The interesting bit might be the technology they'll use, and at least we know it''ll be reliable. The question is whether they'll continue to follow BMW and make it rwd?
 
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