After the sinister-looking Project IS F that made quite a splash at last year's SEMA show, Troy Sumitomo and his Five Axis automotive returned to Sin City with a fresh take on the Lexus GS 460. Sporting a titanium matte paint finish, a widebody conversion with concept-like styled bumpers and black-colored 20-inch alloy wheels in 245/30 ZR20 rubber up front and 295/25ZR20 at the rear, Five Axis' GS 460 is a stealthy proposal for those that like their cars shaken, not stirred.
Even though we have yet to see the production model of the Lexus LF-A study that has been previewed in both coupe and roadster forms in the past, the Japanese automaker decided to put its long anticipated (and overdue...) supercar to the ultimate test by entering two race-spec versions at this weekend's Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race. Seen here for the first time in race livery, the 200mph+ (321km/h) LF-A sportscars are powered by a front-mid mounted V10 engine producing 500HP. The LF-As will be entered by Gazoo Racing, which from what we learned, is a Japanese market, Toyota-owned, e-commence website that has its own racing team.
The team that will tackle the 'Green Hell' will be made up of a combination of professional drivers, Toyota test drivers, dealers and a pilot that Lexus refers to as "Morizo" who is none other than Toyota's soon-to-be CEO Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the firm's founder.
According to a previous release from Lexus, the knowledge gained from the endurance race will be fed back to engineering teams to assist with further development of the production LF-A.
Ahead of its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Lexus today published this teaser sketch of a premium compact hatchback concept, which is said to preview next year's production model that will challenge the BMW 1-Series, Audi A3 and Volvo C30 models. "The concept will demonstrate a mix of technical innovation and ground-breaking design that promises to raise the bar in the premium compact segment," the company said in a short statement
The Japanese automaker did not disclose any other details on its "baby" model but rumor has it that the concept car will feature a hybrid drivetrain. Expect to see more information and new teaser photos of the car being released closer to the Frankfurt Show opening.
In the run up to the official debut of the LF-Ch concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show and only a couple of weeks after the release of a teaser drawing, Lexus issued a single photograph of the premium hatchback that is believed to spawn a production model as early as 2010. The five-door hatch targets the C-segment premium market with rivals such as the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series.
"The LF-Ch combines stylish design and full hybrid technology in a practical 5-door compact package to fulfill the needs of the most demanding premium compact segment customers," said Lexus in a statement.
The concept model uses the Japanese firm's Lexus Hybrid Drive and according to the automaker, it benefits from an electric-only driving capability. But that's about all that Lexus will reveal until for now. More detailed information and a full set of photos are expected to go online on September 10 2009.
Carscoop reader Dima N. sent us this revealing, front 3/4 shot of the new Lexus LF-Ch, a Frankfurt Show-bound hybrid petrol-electric concept that hints at a production model that will follow sometime next year. Together with the rear shot of the car, the two photos give us a pretty good picture of the concept version of Lexus' BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 fighter, but needless to say, don't expect the production model to look as near as aggressive as this. That is, unless Lexus plans to surprise us with an Audi S3 / VW Golf GTI challenging "F-Sport" variant of its premium hatch....
Kudos to Dima N. for the photo!
New shots of the Lexus LF-Ch surfaced on the net today giving us a clear view of the compact-sized five-door hatchback that is due to be unveiled at next week's Frankfurt gathering. Details remain scarce for now as all we know about the concept car is that it features a hybrid petrol-electric drivetrain and that it will give birth to a production model to rival the BMW 1-series and Audi A3. The LF-Ch will be joined in Frankfurt by the lightly refreshed GS and LS models.
The Lexus LF-Ch, the centerpiece of the Japanese firm's stand at the 2009 Frankfurt motorshow, is concept model for a new baby Lexus that will compete in Europe with entry-premium hatchbacks such as the Audi A3 / Sportback, BMW 1-Series and the recently freshened up Volvo C30. As anticipated, Lexus confirmed the development of a production version based on this concept. "Let me stress that you are not looking at a market study … or hearing about vague intentions" said Andy Pfeiffenberger, vice president of Lexus Europe during the presentation of the car in Frankfurt.
"This LF-Ch concept is a clear indication of our entry plans for the compact premium segment in the near future, with the world's first ever premium compact, full hybrid. That distinction will make this dynamic car stand out in what will be Europe's largest premium segment," Pfeiffenberger added.
Though Lexus did not give a specific launch date, media reports suggest that the five-door compact hatch should be on the market within the next two years. Besides the gasoline-electric full hybrid version, the production model will most likely be offered with conventional gasoline and diesel engines as well.
Click here to check out the the official press gallery of the Lexus LF-Ch
