Making its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, the Lexus LF-Ch Concept is Lexus's first approach to the competitive European 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. The Lexus LF-Ch Concept reaffirms Lexus's commitment to Europe, combining 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
The Lexus 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 the Lexus LF-Ch a powerful and purposeful wide-track stance.
__________________ 1997 カムリ 5-spd *daily driver* Tokico HP - Tein S-Tech - TRD Kit - TRD FSB - ARC - 18" Enkei OR52 - Project Kics R40 Neochromes - More on the way
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Nice. Now stick the 4GR or 3GR and it will be sweet.
This is the new Lexus hybrid-only vehicle based on the Toyota Auris (i.e. Corolla hatchback) platform. It will be FWD; I don't remember seeing plans for AWD but I could be wrong.
Placing the 3GR or 4GR V6 engines in this vehicle -- assuming that they have been mated to the Hybrid Synergy Drive -- would be against the stated goals of "...growing demand for cars that are smaller and more fuel and CO2 efficient...", I think. That is not to mention the levels of torque steer that would be involved.
I don't think you need a big engine in order to have "no compromise in levels of refinement and driving pleasure".
This is the new Lexus hybrid-only vehicle based on the Toyota Auris (i.e. Corolla hatchback) platform. It will be FWD; I don't remember seeing plans for AWD but I could be wrong.
Placing the 3GR or 4GR V6 engines in this vehicle -- assuming that they have been mated to the Hybrid Synergy Drive -- would be against the stated goals of "...growing demand for cars that are smaller and more fuel and CO2 efficient...", I think. That is not to mention the levels of torque steer that would be involved.
I don't think you need a big engine in order to have "no compromise in levels of refinement and driving pleasure".
Well Lexus is confused yet again. It wants to achieve what you quoted, yet at the same time they want to compete with BMW and Audi. How does the HS250h's HSD compete with full blown sports sedans with performance engines? And being front drive doesn't help either. I guess its more of a HS250h hatchback than a proper sports sedan.
Well Lexus is confused yet again. It wants to achieve what you quoted, yet at the same time they want to compete with BMW and Audi. How does the HS250h's HSD compete with full blown sports sedans with performance engines? And being front drive doesn't help either. I guess its more of a HS250h hatchback than a proper sports sedan.
Werd. Another lame attempt to create a "performance car" with a whisper quiet engine, tank-heavy battery packs and continuous variable transmission. I thought after the launch of "performance hybrid" LS460H Lexus learned its lesson from its collosal failure.
Seriously, I am not sure what will it take for Lexus to realize that they will never be able to force the customers to change their perception of an exciting, thrilling car. If they have the option of an efficient turbocharged (BMW 135, for example) or a high-revving N/A engine in a performance car, they will pick over a hybrid any day of the week.
Is it difficult to realize why Lexus demographics is 56+ year old people? My message to Lexus is to finally read the customer's lips. Sports cars and hybrid do not mix so please stop creating pretentious performance cars with a hybrid engine.
__________________ SSM 05 Corolla XRS 6 Spd VVTL-i 2ZZ-GE /04 Corolla S 1ZZ-FE (sold)
This is not the HS hybrid that is going on sale now. It will likely be called the CT. Yes, they are both hybrid models but otherwise they are different cars. The CT is based on the compact C-class Toyota Auris (Corolla hatchback) platform; the HS is based on the mid-size D-class Toyota Avensis platform.
Hybrid drivetrains can be used in high-power vehicle situations. The Honda Accord Hybrid, and Lexus GS 450h and LS 600h are examples of using more-than-adequate engines and adding more power (without adding fuel consumption and CO2 emissions) by adding the electric drive of the hybrid system. We have been confined into thinking of hybrid vehicles as just fuel economy champions that use an inadequate or barely-adequate engine and adding electric drive to boost power to merely adequate levels.
We are also pre-judging this new vehicle merely because it is a Toyota/Lexus and a hybrid vehicle. The driving dynamics of the HS are reportedly not that bad, and that is the conclusion from Edmunds in their test of the HS 250h. The handling of the Euro Honda Accord/Acura TSX is known to be quite good, despite the fact that it is a FWD vehicle (most Audis also start out as FWD cars with quattro AWD as an option). A hybrid vehicle, with better balance due to the low-positioned battery in the back, should be able to do the same. Expect many more hybrid sports sedans also: Honda and Toyota are developing hybrid-powered sporty cars; and BMW are developing hybrid vehicles, as are Mercedes-Benz and even Porsche. It was not that long ago that critics were saying that diesel-powered vehicles could never be performance vehicles, yet Audi, BMW and Mercedes are proving them wrong now.
Let's hold our judgment of this vehicle until it comes out.
How come this vehicle looks so much like the Mazda3? Looks like it would come with suicide doors too. Looks very aggressive. Kinda have the Nissan Maxima headlight going on in the rear there.
Hybrid drivetrains can be used in high-power vehicle situations. The Honda Accord Hybrid, and Lexus GS 450h and LS 600h are examples of using more-than-adequate engines and adding more power (without adding fuel consumption and CO2 emissions) by adding the electric drive of the hybrid system. We have been confined into thinking of hybrid vehicles as just fuel economy champions that use an inadequate or barely-adequate engine and adding electric drive to boost power to merely adequate levels.
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Yet, both of them flopped completely. The Accord Hybrid is already discontinued. They both were launched as "performance hybrids". Honda admitted they neither could capture the typical hybrid buyers (since the fuel economy was not very good) nor the typical performance oriented buyers. Yet, both made good amounts of power and acceleration numbers were decent.
It is a matter of not making dynamics of a performance car quiet, numb, disconnected and not engaging. That is what killed those cars that neither they catered to the enthusiasts looking for excitement and thrills in the car nor typical hybrid buyers.
__________________ SSM 05 Corolla XRS 6 Spd VVTL-i 2ZZ-GE /04 Corolla S 1ZZ-FE (sold)
How?
To my knowledge the GS Hybrid was selling. I didn't drive one but I did drive a GS430. It did not drive like a Camry or Corolla. Car drove awesome. E Class Mercedes.. Sorry.. that look like a pumped up Chrysler Sebring. They look so much similar.
How?
To my knowledge the GS Hybrid was selling. I didn't drive one but I did drive a GS430. It did not drive like a Camry or Corolla. Car drove awesome. E Class Mercedes.. Sorry.. that look like a pumped up Chrysler Sebring. They look so much similar.
Mercedes E-Class is never marketed as "performance" car either. It is an upscale luxury cruiser. The Lexus LS450h drives and sounds nothing like a performance car. The skidpad and slalom numbers just don't justify it.
Now if Lexus could make that GS-F that they said will have the LF-A Yamaha built high-revving 4.8 Liter V10 with over 500 HP then it would be a serious threat to the upcoming new M5 and CTS-V etc.
__________________ SSM 05 Corolla XRS 6 Spd VVTL-i 2ZZ-GE /04 Corolla S 1ZZ-FE (sold)
Now if Lexus could make that GS-F that they said will have the LF-A Yamaha built high-revving 4.8 Liter V10 with over 500 HP then it would be a serious threat to the upcoming new M5 and CTS-V etc.
With this world economy? May be not.. May be later..
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