Lexus LF-Ch may be headed for U.S
11-20-09, 11:55 AM
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Lexus LF-Ch may be headed for U.S
Lexus LF-Ch may be headed for U.S. by 2012 - perhaps sooner
by Sam Abuelsamid autoblog
Lexus introduced its LF-Ch concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and it's believed to be a shoe-in for production for the European market. However, in a new Detroit Bureau interview with the brand's general manager, Mark Templin, it is confirmed that Lexus is seriously considering bringing a production version of the hatchback to the U.S. market as well. If it does come here, it would be the smallest Lexus and would compete against the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volvo C30 and Mini Cooper – only the latter of which has managed to sell in big numbers. The Lexus concept will be shown again at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show as well as in Detroit, where Lexus officials will be evaluating reactions to a premium priced small car.
Such cars are already well accepted in Europe and the idea of smaller premium cars may yet hold some appeal in the U.S. – especially if fuel prices rise. Lexus has no intention of decontenting the LF-Ch to keep the price down if it does come to the States. While the Detroit Bureau cautions that a production LF-Ch is likely to have a conventional powertrain as standard fitment, a hybrid will probably be needed to compete with the A3 TDI and a possible 1 Series hybrid or diesel down the line.
by Sam Abuelsamid autoblog
Lexus introduced its LF-Ch concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and it's believed to be a shoe-in for production for the European market. However, in a new Detroit Bureau interview with the brand's general manager, Mark Templin, it is confirmed that Lexus is seriously considering bringing a production version of the hatchback to the U.S. market as well. If it does come here, it would be the smallest Lexus and would compete against the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volvo C30 and Mini Cooper – only the latter of which has managed to sell in big numbers. The Lexus concept will be shown again at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show as well as in Detroit, where Lexus officials will be evaluating reactions to a premium priced small car.
Such cars are already well accepted in Europe and the idea of smaller premium cars may yet hold some appeal in the U.S. – especially if fuel prices rise. Lexus has no intention of decontenting the LF-Ch to keep the price down if it does come to the States. While the Detroit Bureau cautions that a production LF-Ch is likely to have a conventional powertrain as standard fitment, a hybrid will probably be needed to compete with the A3 TDI and a possible 1 Series hybrid or diesel down the line.
Last edited by (Cj); 11-20-09 at 12:11 PM.
11-21-09, 09:57 AM
#5
... also - what powertrain will it have? Unlike that article there, what we heard during german autoshow was that LF-Ch will have hybrid only powertrains... If it gets Prius powertrain, it should get well over 45 MPG.
11-21-09, 12:08 PM
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kind of... depends on what platform is LF-Ch based on... plus, sedans usually get better mpg due to aerodynamics, all things considered..
... also - what powertrain will it have? Unlike that article there, what we heard during german autoshow was that LF-Ch will have hybrid only powertrains... If it gets Prius powertrain, it should get well over 45 MPG.
... also - what powertrain will it have? Unlike that article there, what we heard during german autoshow was that LF-Ch will have hybrid only powertrains... If it gets Prius powertrain, it should get well over 45 MPG.
LF-Ch seems to be a lot more enthusiast minded than the HS is so im sure lexus will make it more powerful than a prius
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11-22-09, 06:51 AM
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if it is more powerful than HS, then obviously mpg will not be as good.
11-22-09, 10:00 AM
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gotta keep in mind that by the time LF-Ch comes to the market, it will have many new powertrain options to choose from
and maybe by then, the prius would be expanding into a 2 model brand already
also weight and aerodynamics of the car will play a decent factor in its fuel efficiency too
i guess it all depends on if toyoda just wants the LF-Ch to be a 1 series, A3 competitor or truely become something much better by throwing a lot more R&D and production line setup costs for multiple dramatic variants
and maybe by then, the prius would be expanding into a 2 model brand already
also weight and aerodynamics of the car will play a decent factor in its fuel efficiency too
i guess it all depends on if toyoda just wants the LF-Ch to be a 1 series, A3 competitor or truely become something much better by throwing a lot more R&D and production line setup costs for multiple dramatic variants
11-22-09, 11:39 PM
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What do we say about threads and pix? Please, allow me.
... and a link to a nice big pic
http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-conte...on-stand-1.jpg
... and a link to a nice big pic
http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-conte...on-stand-1.jpg
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