Lexus LF-Ch Concept officially revealed before Frankfurt debut

After all the image leaks, Lexus decided to reveal the official press release along with a bunch of high-res photos of the new LF-Ch Concept. As we already know, the Lexus LF-Ch is a full hybrid concept and is the company’s first shot at a competitive European premium compact segment.

Power for the stylish 5-door, L-finesse, pillarless coupe comes from the company’s full hybrid powertrain engineered to deliver outstanding performance (no technical information on the engine has been revealed yet), while returning high fuel-economy and low CO2 and NOx emissions. Sources have previously said that the production version of the car will be powered by the 187-hp from a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine found in the Lexus HS 250h hybrid.

Lexus says that the major benefit of the full hybrid technology of the Lexus Hybrid Drive is that it can be driven in full electric mode, an option that is currently unavailable in mild hybrids.

No word on when Lexus will put the LF-Ch into production. More info to come next week from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Follow the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Lexus LF-Ch Concept:

Press Release:

LEXUS PRESENTS THE LF-Ch CONCEPT

World debut for new hybrid power compact concept car at Frankfurt

• Concept proposing the first Lexus full hybrid for the European premium compact segment
• Advanced interior design with asymmetric dashboard and Remote Touch controls
• Blacked-out B-pillars and concealed rear door handles create the look of a pillarless coupé
• L-finesse exterior styling with powerful surfacing and hand-sculpted details
  World debut at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show

Making its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show, the Lexus LF-Ch full hybrid 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 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 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 LF-Ch a powerful and purposeful wide-track stance.

In profile, the tapered side glazing, a muscular, rising beltline and a sharply truncated rear overhang project the car’s premium compact character. The steeply raked windscreen, long flowing roofline, blacked-out B-pillars and rear doorhandles integrated in the C-pillar window trim combine to give the appearance of a sporting pillarless coupe.

At the rear the trailing edge of the roof overhangs the rear window to create an integrated rear spoiler. The tailgate section has a pronounced step, which flows from the muscular wheelarches and is anchored by the wraparound tail lamp design. Aerodynamic detailing of the lower bumper smoothes airflow from beneath the car and feeds ventilation to the rear brakes.

Subtle finishing touches include discreet Lexus hybrid blue badging and sharply tapering chrome mouldings. The harmonious synergy of the design is further expressed in the contrasting, lively yellow exterior finish and calming blue interior illumination.

Interior design
The principles of L-finesse are carried through to the interior where again a powerful simplicity harmonises with hand-crafted quality in the detailing to create a calm, efficient and elegant design.

The cabin features a strongly asymmetric dashboard that is firmly driver-focused with outstanding ergonomics. The driver’s needs are seamlessly anticipated in several surprising elements, for example, when the car is started a greeting is presented on the navigation screen and an ambient lighting pattern appears in the headliner, creating a sophisticated lounge feel.

Extensive use of semi-aniline leather, polished aluminium, wood and soft-touch materials reinforces the theme of harmonious contrast in the dashboard, door panels and seating. The design of the seats is inspired by high quality furniture, with exposed metal frames, lightweight leather and grained black wood used in inter-related layers, shaped to reflect the intrinsic nature of each material used.

The driving position is low and well-supported, with a wide-grip steering wheel with paddle shift controls and an instrument binnacle housing large twin dials embellished with a turbine motif.

To help keep the driver’s focus on the road ahead, distracting instrumentation and switchgear has been kept to a minimum by using Lexus Remote Touch controls, as first seen in the new RX 450h. Using a multi-information display on top of the dashboard, Remote Touch works like a computer mouse, letting the driver access control and customise a range of information, entertainment and vehicle set-up programmes.

As with every Lexus, hospitality is at the heart of the ownership experience. To this end, the LF-Ch’s comprehensive on-board entertainment package includes iPhone docking for rear seat passengers.

Powertrain and driving performance
Allied to a wide track, long wheelbase and low centre of gravity, the LF-Ch’s full hybrid powertrain is engineered to deliver all the performance customers expect from a premium compact hatchback, while at the same time returning low fuel consumption, CO2 and NOx emissions.

With the benefit of the full hybrid technology of Lexus Hybrid drive, the car can be driven in a fully electric EV mode, a power option that is not available to drivers of mild hybrids. This allows for urban driving with minimal noise and zero emissions.

Lexus LF-Ch Concept dimensions

Overall length: 4,300
Overall width: 1,790
Overall height: 1,400
Wheelbase: 2,600
Tyres (front and rear): 225/35R20

– By: Omar Rana