The 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show will display a novelty from Lexus, in the form of a compact, five-door hatch that will be the main competitor to the BMW 1-series and the Audi A3.

The car Lexus will present will be in concept form and is expected to head for production as early as 2010. Reports say that the plan has been in the works for some time, with the premium hatch segment in Europe “too lucrative not to be in”.

No name has been released for the Lexus concept, though rumours have said ‘BS’ and ‘CS’ are being considered (we would suggest not ‘BS’). Interestingly, the car is set to be a hybrid model, using the the HS250h system which runs off a 2.4-litre four-cylinder and electric engine combined.

The 187 hp will be driven with front-wheel drive, and the production version should emerge at the Geneva show next year, with sales starting in Autumn 2010.

Source | Autocar

....

0 comments