Original name: レクサスLF-Ch

Lexus LF-Ch Premium Compact Hybrid Concept to Make North American Debut at 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

• Visually Striking Compact Hybrid with Dynamic Design Philosophy
• Dramatic and Modern Interior Complements Hybrid Drivetrain
• Driving Enjoyment Paired with a Sustainable Focus

TORRANCE, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2009) – Lexus today announced the LF-Ch compact hybrid concept, which will have its world premiere on September 15, 2009 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, will be on display for the first time in North America at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

As the latest concept hybrid vehicle from Lexus, LF-Ch offers dramatic style, premium features, low emissions, impressive fuel economy and the performance expected of a sporty yet versatile five-door package.

“Lexus has been leading the luxury hybrid market ever since we came out with the RX 400h in 2005,” said Mark Templin, Lexus division group vice president and general manager.  “To continue raising the hybrid benchmark, we need to continue exploring hybrid technology in different segments. The LF-Ch concept gives us the opportunity to gauge consumer reaction and help us determine whether or not this would be viable for production.”

The LF-Ch concept was designed by Calty Design Research Inc., Toyota’s North American-based research and design center located in Newport Beach, Calif., and will allow the brand to study the needs of young urbanites and consumer values in a compact luxury vehicle.

“The LF-Ch concept is the next evolution of the compact luxury vehicle,” said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty. “We were able to create a beautifully designed hybrid with a deep sense of mystery and intrigue.”

Designers created an intriguing contrast between the powerful, machine-like surfaces, fluid forms and details that appear hand-sculpted.

The exterior of the LF-Ch concept exudes strength and simplicity with a wide stance, broad and high-shoulders, an arching roofline that flows into the rear spoiler, and sheer surfaces wrapped in a contemporary yellow paint.  To give the sporty five-door concept the illusion of a sleek coupe, designers cleverly blackened the B-pillar and hid the rear door entry button in the chrome molding.

An aggressive grille with a wide front bumper and air dam gives the hybrid concept a powerful personality in keeping with its dynamic lines.  Efficient and bright LED taillights and headlamps also add to the vehicle’s personality. The concept is marked with hybrid details including its blue Lexus logo, which is shared across the Lexus family of hybrids, and hybrid side badging.

Inside, designers created an elegant cabin that is contemporary, and functional with metal and leather trim.  Metal surfacing stretches the length of the asymmetric dashboard and blends with leather trim to provide a luxuriously handcrafted and soothing environment.  The artistic leather, and metal detailing is also visible on the door panels, instrument panel and seats.

A blue headliner light, that borders the roof and contrasts with the yellow exterior, turns on to reveal an ambient pattern reminiscent of a sophisticated lounge.  A wide grip steering wheel with integrated paddle shifters makes for a spirited driving experience.  The instrument panel features two, large twin dials with a uniquely embellished turbine blade design.

Lexus’ Remote Touch controller with user-adjustable haptic feedback, also currently found on the 2010 HS 250h hybrid and RX luxury utility vehicles, allows the driver or front passenger to operate the navigation, audio and climate systems.

The LF-Ch has four sport seats that feature trim lighting along the cushion’s edge for cabin illumination.  Rear passengers can enjoy headrest-mounted iPhone® docking capability for audio and video entertainment.  In addition, the LF-Ch has storage in the rear seat armrests for small items such as iPods®, PDAs and cell phones.

“We look forward to hearing feedback on the LF-Ch,” said Templin.  “We hope consumers like what they see so we can change the luxury hybrid marketplace again.”

LF-Ch CONCEPT

• Conceptualisation of the first Lexus full hybrid in the European premium compact segment

• L-finesse design creates a unique juxtaposition of powerful, machine-like surfacing and fluid, hand-sculpted detailing

• Advanced interior design featuring asymmetric dashboard and Remote Touch control, emphasising outstanding driver ergonomics

• Blacked out B pillars with concealed rear door handles create the image of a powerful, pillarless coupe

Making its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Lexus LF-Ch full hybrid concept is a clear visualisation of the company’s first approach to the highly competitive European premium compact segment.

Reflecting an ever increasing demand for smaller, more fuel and CO2 efficient cars which, nonetheless, do not compromise on either refinement or driving pleasure, the compact segment will grow to represent the largest share of the premium automotive market by 2010.

Reaffirming Lexus’ European market commitments, the LF-Ch concept combines compact dimensions, stylish 5-door packaging, full hybrid technology and low emissions to perfectly fulfil the most demanding premium compact customer requirements. With the unparalleled levels of quality, refinement and sophisticated on-board technology which hallmark every Lexus, the LF-Ch is designed specifically to appeal to a new, younger generation of customers.

Exterior Design

Bringing enormous visual impact to Lexus’ Frankfurt 2009 stand, the new LF-Ch concept represents an exceptionally powerful evolution of the company’s unique L-finesse design philosophy.

This ground-breaking design rationale is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. It is identified in every aspect of the full hybrid 5-door concept, not only in the development of harmonious visual synergies between the interior and exterior design, but also in the combination of leading edge engineering and technology with an entirely humanised, extra-ordinary simplicity of function.

The LF-Ch designers have focused on the careful juxtaposition of opposing major and minor elements. Intriguing contrasts between the powerful, machine-like overall surfacing of the bodywork and the painstaking detailing of even the smallest elements has created a unique synergy of technologically-driven design and fluid, hand-sculpted quality.

With a new, more aggressive Lexus grille design over a deep, full-width bumper and air dam, the front of the LF-Ch expresses the perfect balance of precision and power. Sharply sculpted, aerodynamic front wings overlap the bumper to create deep, front brakecooling air intakes, while powerfully reinforcing a purposeful, wide-track stance hinting at excellent agility and high speed stability.

In profile, tapered glazing above a muscular, rising beltline and an aggressively truncated rear overhang instantly identify the LF-Ch as a premium, compact segment 5-door concept. The steeply raked windscreen, long flowing roofline and blacked out B pillars combine with rear door handles seamlessly integrated into the compact pillar window trim to give the stylish 5-door design the appearance of an elegant, sporting, pillarless coupe.

To the rear, the finely honed trailing edge of the roof overhangs the rear window to create a seamlessly integrated rear spoiler. A pronounced step in the tailgate section flows from the muscular rear wheel arch shoulders, and is anchored by a sweeping, wraparound tail lamp design. Careful aerodynamic detailing of the lower bumper both smoothes airflow from beneath the car and provides cooling ventilation to the rear brakes.

Discreet, Lexus hybrid blue badging and sharply tapering chrome mouldings subtly enhance the LF-Ch’s hybrid image. And the design’s harmonious synergies and juxtapositions are further reflected in the contrast between the dynamism of the LF-Ch’s energised yellow exterior finish and the tranquil, calming blue illumination of the interior.

Interior Design

The visual impact of L-finesse is carried into the interior. Once again, a powerful simplicity of form harmonises with the hand-crafted quality of even the smallest details to create a uniquely calm, efficient and elegant cabin design.
The LF-Ch concept’s interior features a strongly asymmetric dashboard which focuses on the driver, placing the emphasis on outstanding ergonomics. The Lexus seamlessly anticipates the driver’s needs through several surprising elements that provide a new driving sensation. When the car is started, the navigation screen greets the driver, while the headliner lighting subtly reveals an ambient pattern reminiscent of a sophisticated lounge.

The extensive use of semi-aniline leather, polished aluminium, wood and dark, soft touch materials reinforces the premium quality of the environment. The subtle use of natural materials reinforces the theme of harmonious contrast in the dashboard, door panels and seating, elegantly integrating high technology within hand-crafted finishes.

The seating is inspired by the handcrafted essence of high quality furniture design. With an exposed metal frame, lightweight leather and grained black wood, the seat structure is built up in a carefully calculated rhythm of inter-related layers, shaped to reflect the intrinsic nature of each material used.

Appropriate to the performance of the LF-Ch’s full hybrid powertain, the low, highly supportive driving position is dominated by a sporting, wide grip steering wheel with integrated paddle shift controls and an instrument binnacle housing large, high-visibility, twin dials embellished with a unique, turbine blade motif.

Helping the driver to maintain an uninterrupted focus on the road ahead, distracting instrumentation and switchgear clutter has been minimised through the adoption of the Lexus Remote Touch control first seen in the new RX 450h.
Via a dash-top mounted multi-information display screen, Remote Touch operates on similar principles to a computer mouse, allowing the driver to access, control and customise a wide variety of infotainment and vehicle set-up programmes.
As with every Lexus, hospitality lies at the heart of the ownership experience, and the LF-Ch’s comprehensive on-board entertainment technology includes iPhone docking capability for rear seat passengers.

Powertrain and Driving Performance

Allied to a wide track, long wheel base and low centre of gravity, the LF-Ch’s sophisticated, full hybrid powertrain technology is designed to deliver all the performance customers expect from a premium compact segment 5-door, whilst simultaneously returning low fuel consumption, CO2 and NOx emissions.

Benefiting from the full hybrid technology of Lexus Hybrid Drive, the LF-Ch concept can be driven on EV mode; a fully electric driving mode not available to drivers of mild hybrid vehicles. With vehicle range dictated by battery charge, the EV drive mode allows for urban driving with minimal noise and zero emissions.

Dimensions (mm)

Overall length: 4300
Overall width: 1790
Overall height: 1400
Wheelbase: 2600

Tyre size:

Front: 225 / 35R20
Rear: 225 / 35R20

source: Toyota