Lexus LF-Ch Concept at Frankfurt Motor Show
September 21, 2009 by Anthony Crawford
Yet another standout concept this year’s Frankfurt show, is the Lexus LF-Ch, a full hybrid car for the highly competitive premium luxury segment.
It’s a smart move by the luxury Japanese carmaker, as this segment is set to own the largest share of the premium market, as buyers across the globe look to greater all round efficiency, by downsizing their automotive choice.
While that might mean smaller cars in general, it doesn’t necessarily mean any less luxury or technology than which you find in the larger class of car. In fact, these buyers want more bang for their buck, and in time, will expect nothing less.
But here’s where a concept such as the LF-Ch may end up a step ahead of its luxury competitors. It will also be the fourth Lexus model after the LS, GS and RX, to include a hybrid variant.
Low emissions will become an increasingly important part of the luxury car purchase decision, and with a fully electric driving mode as in this Lexus concept, drivers are able to operate solely on EV mode (although range is dependant on battery charge) during urban driving, with minimal cabin noise and zero emissions.
It’s a very smooth design when you see the car in the metal, almost coupe like, except for the cleverly integrated rear doors, which are opened via a touch pad rather than a traditional door handle.
There are no discernable B pillars either, as these have been blacked out as part of the overall aerodynamic design, which gives the impression that the car is a pillarless coupe.
The LF-Ch sits on extra large 20-inch wheels shod with ultra low profile 35R series tyres, as part of the car’s performance package.
Inside, it’s that same combination of sports and luxury, which defines the LF-Ch, such as a wide grip steering wheel with metallic paddle shifters and no noticeable switchgear in plain sight.
Instead, the driver can access a dash mounted, remote touch display screen, which operates like a computer mouse, allowing you to access media and set up programs.
Rear seat passengers aren’t left out either; an iPhone dock is situated in the rear cabin for their convenience.
I firmly believe Lexus is on a winner with the LF-Ch concept, I can only hope they build it in double quick time.
Print it: 
This car will definetley be very expensive when(if)it comes out. Id be really surprised if Lexus can bring this out for under 40 grand starting price.
Would love to see one in Black. Tone down the front bumper a bit and it would look very nice indeed.
that would be guaranteed considering this is a concept
Sorry, but I can’t stand it anymore!
Is anyone else pee’ed off by the Google ads in the middle of the stories these days??
Makes for cheap looking low rent website, that is just losing more and more appeal each month.
Agreed. However, as a man who loves his money more than most of the people he knows (except for parents – bringers of money), if CA are being paid enough I think they should keep them there. I just hope it actually is worth their while. Either that or it’s a glitch, but it would be nice to actually get an honest response from CA for once.
Yes BlueMan! absolutely sick of them. I guess I can handle the static (non-moving) ones, but the ads that constantly flicker and move all over the place really piss me off.
The biggest problem with this car is how much it’s going to cost. Take away the facts that it looks good (though quite Mazda-ish) and will most likely be beautifully put together and what you have is a Prius. Now, if the Prius i-Tech costs about $54,000, add the Lexus badge and the interior and you have yourself a Prius which will most likely cost $75,000. It’ll need to so they can separate the Toyota drivers from the Lexus drivers because if Prius drivers knew they could get the same car but better with a better badge for only a little more they’d jump at it, so it will need to be a lot more. This will cost as much as a highly specced (RWD) IS250. The pricing will be confusing compared to the rest of the Lexus range considering this will be the small Lexus and it will still be front wheel drive. It’s a silly idea in my opinion. If they want Europe then put it on the IS platform and put the 220d engine in. We want diesel hatchbacks, not a revolution.
With all the research you’d expect they’ve done, they still don’t realise that Europeans want diesels, not hybrids. The C Charge will be just as bad for hybrids soon so that’s no advantage anymore. This car would make sense if only it was 2003, but it’s almost 2010 and it doesn’t make much sense now.
Just to simplify my rant, if a Toyota costs a certain amount (and the Prius costs and awful lot), the Lexus version will cost much more, if only to separate the two markets.
Yes … looks like the result of mating a Mazda 3 with a Prius – then add some schmick interior, glue on a Lexus badge and charge the earth. Not my cup of tea.
I agree the Prius is steeply priced. But in the next 2 years Australia will have a Hybred Corolla. I would think it will be considerable cheaper then the Prius with less spec. Looking at this concept it looks to be about Corolla sized. Perhapes it will be an over priced, over speced Corolla. Although the new Prius is built on the next gen Corolla sedan and RAV chassis.
It would still be an expensive car by Lexus , Though its hybrid and everyone is expecting diesel cars. Its a nice looking car but still a lot of people might not be happy .
Why is everybody having a mad whinge about price? Lexus’ are EXTREMELY well priced. Especially when you compare them to their european competitors.
Agreed 100%. It will undercut the 1 series on price, and you won’t need to donate an organ for options.
Which 1 series in particular? Alex makes a very good point in that the hybrid will have to be much more expensive than a Prius, otherwise there is no point in selling it as a Lexus. If it does land in $75k territory, that’s almost 135i money. I can’t see too many people opting for a front wheel drive lexus over a rear wheel drive mini-M3.
It isnt going to be a Hybrid only vehicle! There will be conventional petrol powertrains. AND A hybrid Lexus hatch would appeal to a different market that a turbo coupe?
Yeah, maybe we’ll be lucky enough to get the 1.8 from the Corolla too. Who says it will have conventional power trains? I don’t think Lexus have. I haven’t read anything saying they will and I have been following news on this car quite closely.
And I agree that Lexus cars are usually very well priced. As you wrote, especially when pitted against European competition (except the IS250c). However, what I wrote before does make sense. If a Prius already costs so much then the Lexus version will cost a lot more.
Stevo, I’d quite like you to explain just how this will undercut the 1 Series considering all the four cylinder variants in the 1 Series range already undercut the Prius i-Tech. BMW don’t put their prices up any more than maybe one thousand dollars if even that when they debut a new model, so the 1 Series won’t get much more expensive. I just don’t see what basis you have for what you’ve written.
I may have made a mistake saying the Lexus will have conventional petrol powertrains. My mistake. BUT if Lexus’ current line up of hybrid cars is anything to go by, the LF-CH will be fairly fast. So the top end models may have 130i performance. The lower end models may be more fuel efficiancy orientated.
But I do agree with the Prius/Price issue.
I’m thinking Lexus went with the Hybrid route because that’s how they can get the most PR out of this car. I daresay Europeans are more interested in Lexus Hybrids than Diesels from the company, after all with BMW and virtually every other company there producing great Diesels why would they look to Lexus is they wanted such a car.
But I agree Lexus needs to put in more Diesels in their range. The one they have in the 220d doesn’t seem bad at all, I’m pretty sure alot of Lexus fans are dying for them to dump a Diesel donk in the RX and LX.
Screw the hybrid, gimme a LF-C !!!
I have always hated that colour which has adorned Territories and Commodore wagons for years. I now call it baby poo.
Very nice looking in my opinion! Looks a bit tight though for the rear passengers, just like the IS. Lexus has the resources to put both hybrid and diesel drivetrains in this, it’s just that the hybrid, as thoroughly already mentioned, will obviously cost more than 25% more than a highly efficient diesel powered car with a very similar fuel efficiency.