Lexus hatchback concept

The baby Lexus has landed! This is the firstofficial shot of the premium Japanese brand's first compact hatch,designed to take on the upmarket BMW 1-Series head-on.

Called theLexus LF-Ch (the 'LF' denoting it's a concept, the 'C' confirming it'sa C-segment car and the 'h' meaning its a hybrid), it features apractical five-door layout and a remarkably production-ready desoign.In fact if rumours are to be believed, it could enter production, withvery few changes to the concept shown here, as early as next year.

Lexusis the only manufacturer to offer a range of hybrids, and judging bythe LF-Ch concept that range is about to expand. The show car is fittedwith a full-hybrid powertrain, with an electric-only driving functionallowing, in theory, short-range zero emissions driving in urban areas.

Fulldetails and an extensive picture gallery will be released on 10September 2009, days before the LF-Ch makes its debut in Frankfurt.

Alsoon the Lexus stand in Germany will be a revised version of the LSluxury saloon, with updates inside and out, as well as a mildlyfacelifted GS. The IS will be shown with the new F-Sport stylingpackage and there's new that that IS F can now be ordered with alimited slip differential.