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Lexus developing a hybrid premium C-segment car

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Wooski, Jul 24, 2009.

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  1. Wooski

    Wooski New Member

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    Details in Autocar - Lexus plans 1-Series rival

    Lexus is set to launch a five-door compact hatchback at September’s Frankfurt motor show.

    Although Lexus won’t officially confirm as much yet, Autocar can reveal the concept that’s a close match for the car it’ll offer up against BMW’s 1-series and Audi’s A3 in 2010.

    Company insiders suggest that the car was signed off late last year, largely at the behest of European execs who insisted that the Europe’s premium C-segment was an area of the market “too lucrative not to be inâ€.

    Our sources won’t divulge the car’s name - although rumours suggest that both ‘BS’ and ‘CS’ are in the frame. They will say that the car will be a petrol-electric hybrid-only model, like the firm’s RX SUV, so a fleet-focussed diesel model isn’t too likely.

    As such, the new compact Lexus is likely to use the same powertrain as the US-market-only HS250h – a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that, with the help of an electric motor, produces 187bhp.
    Like the HS it’ll also be front-wheel drive, but it won’t use the same platform as the bigger HS.

    “The Frankfurt concept is called C-Premium,†our source advised. It’s a 90 per cent match for the real thing, which we’ll see at Geneva next year. It should be on sale in the UK by Autumn 2010.â€
     
    #1 Wooski, Jul 24, 2009
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    So they are pushing forward with this vehicle. Nice. Let's hope it doesn't look too bad (anyone recall the IS300 sportcross?)
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Jul 24, 2009
  3. 1SMUGLEX

    1SMUGLEX I love the smug!

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    Lexus of Europe needs this. They want to go from selling 25k a year in Europe to 100k plus.. Europe will get hybrids only and dedicated products.Compacts are huge sellers in Europe and the best selling Lexus in Europe are the IS 220d and hybrids. They have to stop approaching Europe like they approach America.

    Also the next generation IS is confirmed to come with a hybrid.
     
    #3 1SMUGLEX, Jul 26, 2009
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    That can only mean that the IS will be bigger. The current IS has the same wheelbase as our Gen 5 Camry but because it's RWD, it's still short on rear legroom (not to mention the design of the car to give it a long hood and short decklid).
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Jul 26, 2009
  5. Mike Dimmick

    Mike Dimmick Active Member

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    Toyota have already announced that they're working on a C-segment hybrid: the Auris. My feeling is that this baby Lexus will be based on the new Auris/Corolla platform.

    (Audi's A3 is basically a VW Golf/Rabbit with a different shell.)

    Generally engine sizes and power outputs are smaller in Europe than in the US. Don't be surprised to see the Prius drivetrain in this Lexus - 134 hp combined is plenty.

    One thing they would have to do is put independent rear suspension on it - torsion beam suspension is archaic when the sales leaders (Ford Focus, VW Golf) are using fully-independent set-ups.

    According to this article, Toyota have registered CT 200h as a trademark in the US and Canada, and CT 300h and 400h in the US.
     
    #5 Mike Dimmick, Jul 27, 2009
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    CT?? Never seen them use T before... so I guess it's their designation for hatchback.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Jul 27, 2009
  7. Sacto1549

    Sacto1549 Member

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    Given the Obama Administration fuel economy/emissions mandates, this car has a very good chance to be sold in the USA, if only to offset the sales of the LS luxury sedan and LX luxury SUV.
     
    #7 Sacto1549, Jul 27, 2009
  8. 1SMUGLEX

    1SMUGLEX I love the smug!

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    Yeah every generation, most cars get bigger. To squeeze these new entry level cars in the IS/3/C will have to grow in size like the new A4 has, from 180 inches to 185 inches. HS is 184 or so inches long.

    Yes and it will be built in the U.K to help sell it here and keep the price down based on exchange rates.

    Yes, BMW/Benz just announced 4 cylinders are coming back and expect 3 cylinders as well.
     
    #8 1SMUGLEX, Jul 29, 2009
  9. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    Lexus is selling the HS250h in Japan too.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #9 ken1784, Jul 29, 2009
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Rumour has it that a few of them will be diesels. A C-Class diesel and a GLK diesel will arrive in Canada in a few years.
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Jul 29, 2009
  11. jasony79

    jasony79 New Member

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    #11 jasony79, Aug 2, 2009
  12. bluetwo

    bluetwo Relevance is irrelevant

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    Wow..... it looked.... really Lexus come to think of it.

    I kept wondering if it might look Prius-ish but that's a definite no, at least not on the outside.
     
    #12 bluetwo, Aug 2, 2009
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I would trust that image. That's just a photoshopped 2nd Gen IS. It's even in the same Desert Mist Mica colour.
     
    #13 Tideland Prius, Aug 3, 2009
  14. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    Lexus will unveil the new CT 200h at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
    LEXUS - LEXUS TO REVEAL CT 200h AT THE 2010 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW - NEWS AND EVENTS

    "Six months after the LF-Ch concept was revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Lexus will unveil the new CT 200h at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

    Created for those who wish to lower their emissions but not their standards, the CT 200h will be the first, and only, full hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment. It will bring new levels of refinement, sophistication and attention to detail to the segment, without any compromise on style or driving pleasure.    "

    Ken@Japan


    [​IMG]
     
    #14 ken1784, Feb 13, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I thought it was a hatchback?? That pic looks like a sedan.
     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Feb 14, 2010
  16. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    #16 ken1784, Feb 14, 2010
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  17. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    .
    FROM THE LEXUS WEBSITE:
    "Lexus will unveil the world’s first Full Hybrid luxury compact at The Geneva Motor Show on March 2nd 2010.     Evolved from the LF-Ch concept car, the CT 200h heralds a new dawn for Lexus as it is younger, bolder and more dynamic than any Lexus car before."

    http://www.lexus.co.uk/about/concept-cars/view-cars/ct-200h/index.aspx

    .
    Toyota and Lexus are slowly converting production to hybrids. The HS is hybrid only, and now this Lexus will be hybrid-only. The Prius is hybrid-only. (that's THREE models!)
    The next IS will be available in hybrid form (if rumors are true). The Camry is offered in a hybrid.
    (RX, LS, Highlander also).

    While many automakers are being slow to introduce hybrids, Toyota/Lexus is pushing forward to the future. (like Apple with the iPhone vs it's competition)

    Toyota/Lexus "gets it." They see the future and they are leading the world into it. :)
     
    #17 Rybold, Feb 14, 2010
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Ahh ok, thanks Ken!
     
    #18 Tideland Prius, Feb 14, 2010
  19. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

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    #19 Presto, Feb 23, 2010
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  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Nice! The dash looks a little tight on real estate lol. The climate control looks BMW-esque.
     
    #20 Tideland Prius, Feb 24, 2010
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