New Lexus 1 Series Rival

peterattheboro

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.
Click to expand...

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?

lordrobs

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.

BD10NNF

I think it looks strange but good. Would like to see if it definitely ends up like that.

lambda

Looks like a 17 year old chav has designed it.

Absolutely no subtlety or class.

paradigm

That is foul.

And why do the wing mirrors look like toilet flush handles?

lordrobs

lambda said: ↑

Absolutely no subtlety or class.
Click to expand...

Or to put it another way- perfect for the 1 series market

G-MAN2004

Chav's wet dream.

[TW]Fox

Oooh, a concept car.

Show me when its production ready and I'll care.

IAmATeaf

paradigm said: ↑

That is foul.

And why do the wing mirrors look like toilet flush handles?
Click to expand...

Presumably as the concept has cameras in the flush handles.

Have to admit the front does look foul and over designed. I do quite like the rear but have to agree with Fox, think Lexus will definitely tone it down when it goes into production.

Sukh

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?

peterattheboro

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.

Clarkey

Horrible, surely Lexus won't release something this disgusting.

Alex UK

It won't look anything like that.

Mr_Sukebe

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?

Begbie

Looks like something from Max Power, I strangely like. Change of wheels is required though.

#Chri5#

Looks like a Hyundai i30 that was bunged under a medium-hot grill for 15 minutes..

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