Lexus to show compact hatchback concept in Frankfurt

Just yesterday we reported on how the head Toyota”s North American operations, Yoshimi Inaba, said that spicing up its vehicle lineup is something Toyota needs to focus on. He said he would try to “figure out what is the next phase of Lexus.”

Well, it seems like that Toyota is already getting to work. According to AutoCar, Lexus has plans to unveil a 5-door compact hatchback concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The concept will hint at a future model that will compete with the likes of the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3.

Insides say that the car was given the green light at the end of 2008 after European executives insisted that the C-segment was a market “too lucrative not to be in”.

Rumors suggest that the car will carry either a BS (we hope not because that would be pure BS) or CS badge. Other rumors suggest that the car will be front-wheel-drive and will carry the same hybrid drivetrain from the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, which produces a total of 187-hp from a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: AutoCar