Lexus hybrid concept to bow at Frankfurt

Lexus is finally jumping into the premium-compact segment in Europe with an eye-catching hybrid concept that will bow at the Frankfurt motor show. The LF-Ch is a five-door full hybrid that takes aim at a younger audience than Lexus typically draws. The car has a prominent grille, wide bumper and air dam.

Lexus CT 200h: The emissions

Teh Lexus CT 200h has emissions of just 96g/km We have to go with the flow on this because, although we have no faith in the assertion that man is responsible for climate change, for as long as Governments penalise and promote cars based on the emissions of CO2 from their tailpipe (I know, it’s barking) we have to accept that car makers will respond to that stick and carrot. Which is why we see a raft of car makers churning out ‘Eco’ cars with a 99g/km emissions figure, as sub-100g/km of CO2 emissions is the Holy Grail for maximising tax effiecencies. Of course, Lexus has gone a step further and seem intent on producing only hybrid cars as soon as possible.

Lexus wants more hybrids and a better performance image

Lexus plans to introduce hybrid versions of existing vehicles with each full model change, the brand's r&d chief says. Leveraging the electric-gasoline drivetrain technology of Lexus' parent company, Toyota, will be key to differentiating the brand from European rivals, said Kiyotaka Ise, Toyota Motor Corp. managing officer in charge of Lexus development.