Lexus has just issued this first photograph of its new LF-Ch concept car – a hybrid petrol-electric hatchback that is expected on sale by summer 2010.
It’s the car we previewed a few days ago, known only as the Lexus Premium Compact Concept. Now we know it’s called the LF-Ch.
What does that Lexus LF-Ch badge mean?
Lexus names require a whole subset of language: LF denotes it’s a concept car, borne from the L-Finesse design mantra; the C signals this is a C-segment competitor to rival the BMW 1-series and Audi A3; and the means this is yet another hybrid from Lexus.
If it looks like the LF-Ch is good to make the leap from concept drawing board to reality, that’s because it is. We hear it will translate to showroom spec with remarkably few changes in a year’s time.
World debut at the Frankfurt motor show 2009
It’s that time of year when rarely a day goes back without some major new debut at Frankfurt landing in our inboxes. The five-door LF-Ch is the big news at the IAA, alongside lightly facelifted GS and LS models, and F-Sport trim level on the IS saloon range.
The LF-Ch hybrid uses Lexus Hybrid Drive. We don’t yet know the intricacies of the system, but it will be able to drive on EV electric car mode like the new Toyota Prius.