UPDATED!
After images were leaked around the web today, Lexus posted the official photos and press release this afternoon. Updated exterior AND interior shots after the jump.
Last week Lexus showed us a piece of the LF-Ch concept it will introduce next week at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. It was literally a piece; no more than 3/8 of the car was visible.
Today several full-body shots of the Lexus LF-Ch have leaked out. Most were very low resolution, but a "fan" posted a decently clear shot on the Lexus Facebook page.
Lexus says the LF-Ch "combines stylish design and full hybrid technology in a practical five-door compact package." We expect this is pretty much the same idea as our Lexus HS 250h -- just repackaged into a body style that's likely to be more appealing to European buyers. Interestingly, though, the LF-Ch came straight out of Toyota's Calty design studio in California.
Inside, the LF-Ch has the Remote Touch navigation interface (with user-selectable "haptic" feedback) as in the HS 250h and RX 350/450h. Because it's a concept, it only seats four and features headrest-mounted iPhone "docking ports" for the rear occupants.
subytrojan says:
03:04 PM, 09/ 9/09
Nice wrapper!
ctpax says:
04:40 PM, 09/ 9/09
If I hear 'hybrid' one more time I will throw up.
smrtypants44 says:
04:47 PM, 09/ 9/09
Look it's the camaro steering wheel
estreka says:
05:11 PM, 09/ 9/09
The air dam is overdone, but otherwise it looks quite nice.
altimadude00 says:
06:59 PM, 09/ 9/09
Reminds me of an Astra with a Camaro steering wheel and gauge cluster.
cjasis says:
07:30 PM, 09/ 9/09
This is the car that Toyota/Lexus should be offering in the United States and not the HS250h. Hybrid buyers are as, if not more, worried about conspicuous consumption as other car buyers and want to make sure everyone knows they're driving a hybrid. Whereas the HS looks too much like a Corolla, this car looks like no other Toyota/Lexus product and if priced right... it would sell like hot cakes.
atenza94546 says:
08:33 PM, 09/ 9/09
Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,
atenza94546 says:
08:34 PM, 09/ 9/09
Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,........Hybrid,................Hybrid,................................Hybrid,....
atenza94546 says:
08:35 PM, 09/ 9/09
Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,Hybrid,........Hybrid,................Hybrid,................................Hybrid,....
danntheemann says:
08:48 PM, 09/ 9/09
profile looks exactly like a scirocco
inlinesix says:
08:49 PM, 09/ 9/09
Looks good.
brn says:
09:24 PM, 09/ 9/09
Looks more like a Scion.
billt9 says:
09:26 PM, 09/ 9/09
wtf no. ugly as shit. ya looks like a posh Scion xB.
majin_ssj_eric says:
09:41 PM, 09/ 9/09
Hybrids suck and so do the idiots that buy them....
aznraptor says:
10:19 PM, 09/ 9/09
The front needs a little work but overall I really like it
reminds me of the IS300 SportCross in terms of concept
atenza94546 says:
10:44 PM, 09/ 9/09
Idiots that say Hybrid sucks. You need to re-think because all the car companies out there are either thinking of building one or they already has one or more hybrid(s). Eventually all car companies will have a hybrid some sort. So at the end all car buyer including those don't buy hybrid will be an idiot because all car companies will build a hybrid which makes them an idiots. So congradulation idiots out there that are still attacking hybrid.
machine_man says:
10:54 PM, 09/ 9/09
"hybrids suck"? Is that your professional, scientific, engineering-based assessment?
What grade are you in?
The Fisker Karma is a Hybrid. Does it suck? Sure, the common executions of the idea like the Prius and Insight are boring and odd, but that's just those cars. Should regular cars all be judged based on crummy ones like the Pontiac G5, Dodge Nitro, and Smart FourTwo?
That's just infantile.
machine_man says:
10:58 PM, 09/ 9/09
Close the gaping mouth under the front bumper. Otherwise I'll give it an A- I like the overall direction and hope they change nothing but that mouth and maybe the dimples on the front.
autoboy16 says:
05:24 AM, 09/10/09
The return of the IS Hatch?
to626n says:
09:27 AM, 09/10/09
@ cjasis
While I think a Lexus hatchback hybrid would be another good addition to their lineup, that gap has already been filled by the Prius. Here in the US most buyers prefer a sedan over a hatch. For us when we think of hatchback we think of an economy car. Sedans however, even though there are plenty of economy car sedans, are more easily assiciated with being a luxury car.
I think this would be a great idea for Lexus Europe since Europeans like the idea of a premium hatchback.
thejohnp says:
10:00 AM, 09/10/09
So much has been said about the "smiley face" on the new Mazda3, but I think I prefer it to the "jowls" on this Lexus.