Post-Frankfurt: Production Version of Lexus LF-Ch Might Be Sold In U.S.

this thing is leagues behind what's already on the market. It's an abomination. Some mishap during embryonic development.

@ Erin,

My first comment is nothing personal by the way since I didn't know that you posted this blog until after I posted my comment.

Hopefully you didn't take it the wrong way.

Louis

@ bilt9,

Leagues behind? Could you elaborate?

Does the Audi A3 have a hybrid version? Does the 1-series have a hybrid version? I just don't understand how can it be "leagues behind" when we DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE PRODUCTION MODEL IS GOING TO BE LIKE!

@louiswei: It's cool, Louis. I'm not infallible, and I just looked at the actual 1 Series sales numbers, and they do suggest I may have been smoking something. Post will be updated.

Erin, thanks!

And yes, BMW should import the 5-door hatch along with the coupe... It's funny that I once spotted them testing the 5-door hatch on PCH and I thought they were bringing it here but they never did.

i think they should bring over to north america to go against the Acura CSX not just the A3 and 1-series..

I like it, but unlike most Americans I think hatches and wagons are the shizzle.

Yes and No,

Yes, it may grab the younger crowd to buy Lexus other than IS which most younger buyer can't really afford.

No, because most auto industry marketing think it don't sell in US. Maybe they sell at the coastal states but not the Heartland America.

I have to say Yes and No as well.

My reason is that its a hybrid and the batteries for the drive system alone would drive the cost astronomically high. There is no such thing as a sporty Prius, and if someone mentions the volt, remember the starting price is nearly 40k, or was last time I read anything on the subject matter.

I say give it a diesel with a six speed. Or perhaps a direct injected turbo four that seems to be all the rage these days. From the drawings the car definitely has sex appeal, but the moment i saw it was a hybrid all my lust for the vehicle died. Dont get me wrong, I love the idea of a hybrid, however I think Lexus is biting off more than it can chew since the car would be big, heavy and complex to manufacture. I believe this car could be something special if they work hard at getting it right the first time. If they can make something similar to the VW Golf Or Mazda 3, they'll have an instant hit.

Then again, what do I know? I'm just a "young" car enthusiast who reads Edmunds everyday. I'm in the market for a new vehicle and I'd never buy a hybrid simply because of the batteries and the so called "green" technology that they use. I can also honestly say I cant afford an IS and I cannot find a 1 series anywhere that is in my price range.

@ RonnieRogue,

I am a "young" car enthusiast who read Edmunds everyday too and I'll take this hybrid Lexus over the Diesel A3 or 1-series on any given day.

Also, if you can't afford an IS, the 1-series or even a leased 3-series then I have to tell you that you are not among the target demography for this baby Lex.

yes and no on this one.
The hybrid aspects, compact size and hatch versatility are good.
The "stylized" tires and wheels and overglitzed interior are not so good.

Then again, this is a design concept, and no matter who draws/builds them, they always end up with exaggerated curves, 10 series tires and huge wheels.

@ Louiswei;

Personally I think the A3 is ugly, but i see where you are coming from in that respect. The reason I complain about the one series being alot more expensive than advertised is because of the options. It starts off in my price range as bone stock but after 3 or 4 options added, well the price skyrockets out of my desired price range. I'm not one to settle so I avoid the car altogether.

I think this "baby" lex is a great idea, just not the hybrid drive train. I've been studying those batteries as a student since 05 and i can honestly say that I dont like hybrids at all because despite what the finished product is, the process of creating that product is anything but green and is very costly. The Technology curve may be six months but batteries are still stuck in the stone age.

@ RonnieRogue,

I see where you are coming from about the hybrid technology, or specifically, the batteries. However, the reason that I am a fan of the hybrids is that I think this technology is still young and has a lot of potentials in the future. Diesel, on the other hand, has already reached its peak, or it'll be very soon.

If you are interested, here's my view on the topic of hybrid vs. Diesel:

http://lexusnet.com/blog/hybrid-vs-diesel/

It doesn't matter if it comes to the us. If eco-minded tan people of california demands Lexus they should give it to them in every bland color they can provide. The rest of us will stick with Hyundai elantra by day and Mustang GT by night.

looks like a matrix mated with a mazda 3.

imho not bad.