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"Let me stress that you are not looking at a market study … or hearing about vague intentions" Andy Pfeiffenberger, vice president of Lexus Europe, told journalists during the presentation of the car in Frankfurt.
"This LF-Ch concept is a clear indication of our entry plans for the compact premium segment in the near future, with the world's first ever premium compact, full hybrid."
The overall shape of the plastic wrapped model depicted in these spy photos is almost identical to the LF-Ch concept right down to the rear window, though the design does appear to have been toned down a notch.
For example, gone are the 'hidden' read door handles that have been replaced by conventional handles while the tail lights and rear bumper design are new.
If the car pictured here is indeed the LF-Ch, then there's a strong possibility that we may see the hatchback model in the flesh at the Geneva Salon next March.
Lexus plans to offer the premium hatch that will rival cars like the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 with both conventional and hybrid powertrains.
Hat tip to our anonymous reader for the shots!
And we're talking about a lot of carbon fiber as the lightweight material is used for the newly designed hood, rooftop, rear wing, exterior mirrors, trunk, front spoiler lips, right down to the rear diffuser.
The same material is also found on the Lexus IS F's engine cover as well as in the interior on the door panels, center and lower console, steering wheel trim, and the transmission lever.
Unfortunately, Lexus did reveal the weight gains from the extensive use of carbon fiber parts on the sports car.
Other mods include the forged magnesium wheels and sport tires, high-performance carbon ceramic brakes, sport suspension, new exhaust system with a titanium sports muffler and the two-tone bucket seats inside.
Lexus said that the standard IS F's 5.0-liter V8 engine with 423HP (in JDM spec) has been left intact.
Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron
New shots of the Lexus LF-Ch surfaced on the net today giving us a clear view of the compact-sized five-door hatchback that is due to be unveiled at next week's Frankfurt gathering. Details remain scarce for now as all we know about the concept car is that it features a hybrid petrol-electric drivetrain and that it will give birth to a production model to rival the BMW 1-series and Audi A3. The LF-Ch will be joined in Frankfurt by the lightly refreshed GS and LS models.
Carscoop reader Dima N. sent us this revealing, front 3/4 shot of the new Lexus LF-Ch, a Frankfurt Show-bound hybrid petrol-electric concept that hints at a production model that will follow sometime next year. Together with the rear shot of the car, the two photos give us a pretty good picture of the concept version of Lexus' BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 fighter, but needless to say, don't expect the production model to look as near as aggressive as this. That is, unless Lexus plans to surprise us with an Audi S3 / VW Golf GTI challenging "F-Sport" variant of its premium hatch....Kudos to Dima N. for the photo!
