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Lexus teases a compact hybrid concept

Lexus has released this teaser image for its LF-Ch (L-Finesse Compact hybrid) concept, which is set to make its world premier at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show.

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
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Antuan Goodwin

Lexus teases its LF-Ch concept. Could this be the return of exciting Toyotas? Probably not.
Lexus

Lexus has released this teaser image for its LF-Ch (L-Finesse Compact hybrid) concept, which is set to make its world premier at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show.

This five-door hatchback concept will make use of "Lexus Hybrid Drive." If the recently released HS 250h is any indicator, we can expect a conservative 2.4-liter gas/electric hybrid outputting about 180-200 horsepower. As much as I'd like to dream that Lexus would drop the 340 horsepower RWD hybrid power train of the GS 450h under the hood of the concept and create a sort of high-powered hybrid Hachi-Roku of the future, conventional wisdom dictates otherwise.

As a fan of hot hatches, I'm still interested in seeing the rest of the LF-Ch concept, although I'm fairly certain that it'll end up looking like a Toyota Matrix with a three-bar grille.

Stay tuned to our continuing coverage of the 2009 Frankfurt auto show for more details as they emerge.