Lexus LF-Ch Concept revealed

Following the official, and not so official, leaks of information Lexus has finally revealed a set of images showing its LF-Ch Concept Hybrid in full. This is the car Lexus hopes will eat into the Audi A3/BMW 1 Series market.

The presser below doesn’t go into too much detail, but it does explain the LF-Ch will have a full hybrid powertrain, including the possibility to drive the car in full electric mode.

I guess we’ll have to wait a few more days before we find out just what the range of the LF-Ch is in electric mode, not to mention the actual performance specs, which Lexus claim will meet the expectations the market demands from a premium hatch.

Given Audi is said to be releasing a 250kW RS3 the performance expectations in the premium hatch segment look set to rise!

LEXUS PRESENTS LF-Ch CONCEPT

• Concept proposing the first Lexus full hybrid for the premium compact segment;
• Advanced interior design with asymmetric dashboard and Remote Touch controls;
• Blacked-out B pillars and concealed rear door handles create the look of a pillarless coupé;
• L-finesse exterior styling with powerful surfacing and hand-sculpted details;
• World debut at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show.

Lexus LF-Ch full hybrid concept makes its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show, and is Lexus’s first approach to the competitive premium compact segment.

It reflects the growing demand for cars that are smaller and more fuel and CO2 efficient, but with no compromise in levels of refinement and driving pleasure. By next year the compact segment is expected to claim the largest share of the European premium car market.

LF-Ch concept combines compact dimensions, stylish five-door, full hybrid technology and low emissions to satisfy the most demanding customer requirements and to appeal to a new, younger generation of customers.

Exterior design

LF-Ch concept presents a powerful evolution of Lexus’s L-finesse design philosophy. Rooted in Japanese culture, L-finesse is expressed in every aspect of the car, not only in the visual harmony between the interior and exterior design, but also in the combination of leading-edge engineering and technology with a user-friendly simplicity of function.

The designers focused on the careful juxtaposition of opposing major and minor elements. Intriguing contrasts are created between the powerful, machine-like overall surfacing of the bodywork and the painstaking detail of even the smallest elements, creating a synergy between technologically driven design and a fluid, hand-sculpted quality.

A new, bolder Lexus grille design sits above a deep, full-width bumper and air dam, giving a perfect balance of precision and power. The sharply sculpted, aerodynamic front wings overlap the front bumper to create deep, front brake-cooling air intakes and give LF-Ch a powerful and purposeful wide-track stance.

In profile, the tapered side glazing, a muscular, rising beltline and a sharply truncated rear overhang project the car’s premium compact character. The steeply raked windscreen, long flowing roofline, blacked-out B pillars and rear door handles integrated in the C pillar window trim combine to give the appearance of a sporting pillarless coupe.

At the rear the trailing edge of the roof overhangs the rear window to create an integrated rear spoiler. The tailgate section has a pronounced step, which flows from the muscular wheelarches and is anchored by the wraparound tail lamp design. Aerodynamic detailing of the lower bumper smoothes airflow from beneath the car and feeds ventilation to the rear brakes.

Subtle finishing touches include discreet Lexus hybrid blue badging and sharply tapering chrome mouldings. The harmonious synergy of the design is further expressed in the contrasting, lively yellow exterior finish and calming blue interior illumination.

Interior design

The principles of L-finesse are carried through to the interior where again a powerful simplicity harmonises with hand-crafted quality in the detailing to create a calm, efficient and elegant design.

The cabin features a strongly asymmetric dashboard that is firmly driver-focused with outstanding ergonomics. The driver’s needs are seamlessly anticipated in several surprising elements, for example, when the car is started a greeting is presented on the navigation screen and an ambient lighting pattern appears in the headliner, creating a sophisticated lounge feel.

Extensive use of semi-aniline leather, polished aluminium, wood and soft-touch materials reinforces the theme of harmonious contrast in the dashboard, door panels and seating. The design of the seats is inspired by high quality furniture, with exposed metal frames, lightweight leather and grained black wood used in inter-related layers, shaped to reflect the intrinsic nature of each material used.

The driving position is low and well-supported, with a wide-grip steering wheel with paddle shift controls and an instrument binnacle housing large twin dials embellished with a turbine motif.

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 new RX 450h. Using a multi-information display on top of the dashboard, Remote Touch works like a computer mouse, letting the driver access control and customise a range of information, entertainment and vehicle set-up programmes.

As with every Lexus, hospitality is at the heart of the ownership experience. To this end, LF-Ch’s comprehensive on-board entertainment package includes iPhone docking for rear seat passengers.

Powertrain and driving performance

Allied to a wide track, long wheelbase and low centre of gravity, LF-Ch’s full hybrid powertrain is engineered to deliver all the performance customers expect from a premium compact hatchback, while at the same time returning low fuel consumption, CO2 and NOx emissions.

With the benefit of the full hybrid technology of Lexus Hybrid drive, the car can be driven in a fully electric EV mode, a power option that is not available to drivers of mild hybrids. This allows for urban driving with minimal noise and zero emissions.

Lexus LF-Ch Concept dimensions

• Overall length: 4,300
• Overall width: 1,790
• Overall height: 1,400
• Wheelbase: 2,600
• Tyres (front and rear): 225/35R20