Lexus LF-Ch more details revealed
September 10, 2009 by George Skentzos
Lexus has released new details for its Frankfurt-bound LF-Ch full hybrid concept representing the brand’s first approach to the competitive European premium compact segment.
With growing demand for smaller, more fuel efficient cars without compromising refinement, Lexus expects the compact segment to claim the largest share of the European premium car market.
The LF-Ch concept presents an evolution of Lexus’s L-finesse design philosophy, combining leading-edge engineering and technology with a user-friendly simplicity of function.
A more prominent Lexus grille sits above the deep full-width bumper and air damn, with overlapping aerodynamic front wings channelling air through to the brakes, giving the LF-Ch a powerful and purposeful wide-track stance.
Its silhouette is recognisable by the steeply raked windscreen, long flowing roofline, blacked-out B-pillars and rear door handles integrated in the C-pillar window trim, combining to give the appearance of a sporting coupe.
Subtle finishing touches include discreet Lexus hybrid blue badges and sharply tapering chrome mouldings.
Inside, the cabin features an asymmetric dashboard with the driver’s needs seamlessly anticipated in several forms, for example, when the car is started a greeting is presented on the navigation screen and an ambient lighting pattern appears in the roofliner.
Extensive use of semi-aniline leather, polished aluminium, wood and soft-touch materials reflects the premium feel expected from the eventual production model.
To help keep the driver’s focus on the road ahead, distracting instrumentation and switchgear has been kept to a minimum by using Lexus Remote Touch controls, as first seen in the new RX 450h.
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A Lexus that looks good? Nice to see the big “L” step away from the conservative we are trying to impress everyone look. Good mix of aggressive lines and the traditional classy/bland look we have come to expect from Lexus. I am a little reminded of the Astra coupe in the overall shape but I think we can forgive that when you visit the front grill and headlight assembly.
This or Scirocco my next car!!!
Are you Serious? I know this looks good and is a step in the right direction for Lexus, but I would buy the Scirocco in a heartbeat over this.
id have this over the Scirocco any day. Just look at it. the scirocco looks like an angry golf, but this has a brand of its own, and the fact that its a lexus will for sure spell reliability and quality.
looks like the new subaru impreza!
Looks like a Mazda 3 with a tacky Veilside Bodykit.. so the Ricer Boys will love it
I’d go for the Scirocco German Engineering Build Quality and Style
I believe Alfa Romeo had semi consealed [window mounted] rear door handles 10 years ago..
Nice cheap jab.
All Hatches that has large radius on edges and has a curved C pillar looks like the Mazda 3 then….
If anything… IF anything at all..
It looks like a IS250 Hatch version.
Scirocco as in VW, German Engineering Build Quality and Style? lol… You’d backup anything or any manufacturer to take a jab on Toyota/Lexus…
VW Golf are manufactured and built in South Africa as well as Europe actually…
You are also confused between German engineering for mass production and German engineering for LUXURY/PREMIUM brands.
VW is not Audi, BMW, Merc etc.
VW is the “Ford” of Germany basically. Yes slightly better build quality and engineering wise is a bit better too. VW is very overrated in Australia, in Europe and in USA, VW is just your everyday manufacturer in the same tier as the Japanese brands.
Take a look at the warranty claims and quality reports from the states and globally and you’d see VW, although German in name… has the same issues and quality level as the americans and japanese non-premium brands.
Its just that Australia gets the well-featured cars to boost their image here as “upper class”. Aesthetically.
Oh how clever and original they are, putting the rear door handles on the window line to create the illusion of a coupe! And only twelve years after Alfa Romeo first did! What trail blazers they are.
I think it looks pretty good, but it has too many Toyota design cues (the way the rear window wraps around is just like on the IQ). It also has a very similar profile to the new Mazda 3. However, the main thing that I just can’t get over is the fact that it’s nothing but a Prius in drag. I’ll be waiting for the next (RWD) 1 Series then.
Well actually Nissan hid the rear doohandles on the Pathfinder since about 1989.
I reckon it looks very much like a Mazda 3
For those who complain it copies Alfa and Mazda: this is a good thing! At least its not trying its own hideous design language like Subaru. And Alex, Lexus is completely Toyota made. So I think they can get away with taking a few design cues from them!
Hope it looks better in flesh that in the pics. I suspect there will be way too much corolla and prius in it to justify the price lexus will hit us for one, especially with the stupid price of the prius. I think it clear while making pretensions to the BMW 1 series they are really targeting buyers looking for a step up from a Mazda3, who previously probably stepped up to the mazda3 from a corolla.
i like Lexus cars but there is limit to what smart people will pay for toyota technology.
Mike…
Ferrari, Maseratti is owned by Fiat…
Do you look down on them for being owned by a mass car producer that is Fiat?
This looking like a Mazda 3 isnt a bad thing as someone said, personally I see the front half as a direct copy of the ISF.
If I was the desginer/styler, I would change the C-Pillar and back door window shape to differentiate it from current hatches on the market.
And Toyota Technology?
Toyota Technology is worldclass and as good as any one on the industry… you talk as if Toyota technology is a garage based invention…
They have the biggest pocket out of all the manufacturers and to tell you the truth they do have a lot of money invested on technology, either innovative or “improvement”.
Don’t hold your breath. Toyota are loathe to depart too far from the main stream. I think this would be too radical for them to produce.
I dont like it, because they said they had to move away from the old person feel of the lexus and they have, but this feels not so young to , it does feel more 2002 rather then 2012 in my opinion.
Looks like a Cylon raider from Battlestar Galactica.