Lexus is set to launch a five-door compact hatchback at September’s Frankfurt motor show.

Although Lexus won’t officially confirm as much yet, Autocar can reveal the concept that’s a close match for the car it’ll offer up against BMW’s 1-series and Audi’s A3 in 2010.

Company insiders suggest that the car was signed off late last year, largely at the behest of European execs who insisted that the Europe’s premium C-segment was an area of the market “too lucrative not to be in”.

Our sources won’t divulge the car’s name - although rumours suggest that both ‘BS’ and ‘CS’ are in the frame. They will say that the car will be a petrol-electric hybrid-only model, like the firm’s RX SUV, so a fleet-focussed diesel model isn’t too likely.

As such, the new compact Lexus is likely to use the same powertrain as the US-market-only HS250h – a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that, with the help of an electric motor, produces 187bhp.

Like the HS it’ll also be front-wheel drive, but it won’t use the same platform as the bigger HS.

“The Frankfurt concept is called C-Premium,” our source advised. It’s a 90 per cent match for the real thing, which we’ll see at Geneva next year. It should be on sale in the UK by Autumn 2010.”

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/241809/

 

Well I told yall Lexus was going small....the HS for here and now this 1-series/A3 fighter for Europe.

 

No BS please ...

 

Is that a pun Andrew?
Here is an old rendering

 

Thid will be interesting. Just remember in Europe, the German cars are cheaper (because they're not really an import there) and have a pretty good following.

 

Though I may be wrong (or a skeptic) I'm not sure I believe that. It would, IMO, cost too much to develop an all-new compact platform, with the HS and IS already in the line-up.

Despite the drawing, my guess is that it will be essentially a five-door HS.

 

I was holding out hope that the CS be RWD

Earlier reports say it should look nothing like the HS (yay!) so I'm hoping styling cues come directly from the GS or IS. Or Lexus could surprise and really push the envelope with the design!

 

this could be BS but the car's name should be CS. I hope.

 

Lexus executives are not morons. No way it will be named BS. lol

I like the Lexus AS(s)


Corporation has applied for the trademarks CT400h, CT300h and CT200h in United States and (so far) only CT200h in Canada for use in association with automobiles and structural parts thereof.

United States Trademark Application No. 77750143 filed June 2, 2009 for CT400h.

United States Trademark Application No. 77750134 filed June 2, 2009 for CT300h.

United States Trademark Application No. 77750120 filed June 2, 2009 for CT200h.

Canadian Trade-Mark Application No. 1443736 filed July 6, 2009 for CT200h.

 

Yup, my.is is reporting that it is CT as well.

http://my.is/forums/f41/lexus-c-prem...t-200h-394367/

 

T for touring? like compact touring?

 

So it's for N.America too, I wonder what the starting prices here would be ...

 

I'm guessing like 25 to 28k. although it will be close to the competitor's but prob. lil cheaper.

 

No, BM to be more correct.

 

What has me REALLy interested is will there be more than one hybrid engine option?
Currently there is only one engine hybrid for each model.
Will this car offer multiple hybrid options? It makes sense as there are multiple diesel options.

Pretty cool to think you could pick a hybrid powertrain for more economy or one with more power...