REPORT: New Lexus small car may be headed for U.S. by 2012 - perhaps sooner

REPORT: New Lexus small car may be headed for U.S. by 2012 - perhaps sooner

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Hatchback, Lexus

Lexus LF-Ch concept - click above for high-res image gallery

Lexus introduced its LF-Ch concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and it's believed to be a shoe-in for production for the European market. However, in a new Detroit Bureau interview with the brand's general manager, Mark Templin, it is confirmed that Lexus is seriously considering bringing a production version of the hatchback to the U.S. market as well. If it does come here, it would be the smallest Lexus and would compete against the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volvo C30 and Mini Cooper - only the latter of which has managed to sell in big numbers. The Lexus concept will be shown again at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show as well as in Detroit, where Lexus officials will be evaluating reactions to a premium priced small car.

Such cars are already well accepted in Europe and the idea of smaller premium cars may yet hold some appeal in the U.S. - especially if fuel prices rise. Lexus has no intention of decontenting the LF-Ch to keep the price down if it does come to the States. While the Detroit Bureau cautions that a production LF-Ch is likely to have a conventional powertrain as standard fitment, a hybrid will probably be needed to compete with the A3 TDI and a possible 1 Series hybrid or diesel down the line.


Gallery: Lexus LF-Ch Concept



[Source: The Detroit Bureau]REPORT: New Lexus small car may be headed for U.S. by 2012 - perhaps sooner originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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I approve this message. I wonder what powerplant they will use on it and is it going to be front or rwd.

one would hope AWD... but some how I don't think that going to happen... I do know how ever I may look into buying one of these when they come out, I like it a lot.

This car should be branded Toyota, not Lexus. A lot of luxury car mfrs are now creating smaller cheaper cars which totally loses the luxury appeal. For example, we still kinda consider benz to be a luxury car but in Germany, their perspective of mercedes isn't the same. I want Lexus to stay up there with maybach or maserati, rolls royce, jaguar, and still have the capability not depreciating as fast as the rest. With that said, its hard to make a compact car extremely luxurious. They need to make luxury cars that are expensive where the cheapest car is around $50K - base price, but you will get almost no recall, reliable as hell, and is a car you want to keep for the rest of your life. If Lexus is going to make a luxury sports car, they should make it extremely powerful and keep it in the F series line up and make cars that will replace the supra or of that level of performance, not no stupid hatchbacks (and btw, i love hatches). Lexus is losing its meaning.. Luxury export US. Oh and with that said, Scion shouldn't sell a car no expensive than $25K which is the most expensive car with every option added.

At least give it RWD and AWD as premium.


EDIT:
I agree with saru

I agree with you also

It will most likely be RWD.