REPORT: Lexus' A3/1 series-fight coming to Frankfurt with hybrid power
by Damon Lavrinc on May 6th 2009 at 7:28PM 
Rumors of a compact Lexus bound for the European market have been floating around since late last year, and Top Gear is reporting that the new 1-series and A3-fighter is due to debut in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Unlike the Lexus HS250h on which its based, the entry-level Euro-only model will sport five doors instead of four and be slightly shorter overall. Power will be provided by the same 187-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid as its Stateside counterpart, but unlike the Prius, Lexus plans to brand the FWD premium compact hatch as a sporting alternative to its competition from Germany. Andy Pfeiffenberger, Lexus' European head, said, "The C-premium segment is the fastest growing segment and we must be in it," but for a brand associated more with wafting than corner-carving, it's going to be tough sale abroad. According to TG, the hatch is likely to go on sale in late 2010 and be priced below the IS diesel.
[Source: Top Gear]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jon 7:37PM (5/06/2009)
Nose job needed.
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Yaroukh 8:48PM (5/06/2009)
an accident? ;)
AMcA 9:20PM (5/06/2009)
Cough, cough!
That's the sound of Cadillac getting left in the dust.
So sad.
tuxchown 3:57AM (5/07/2009)
Nose job? How about an entire style transplant!
Tyson 7:39PM (5/06/2009)
CR-Z competition....
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the_MVP_X 7:40PM (5/06/2009)
The idea of the car is ok, but this rendering is very poor.
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Taglane 7:49PM (5/06/2009)
It's good. Not a good-looking car, but the rendering is poor? please.
alfaBAT9 7:56PM (5/06/2009)
I personally like hand drawn renderings and I'm surprised to actually see one again (and a good one too)! Being an art school grad myself, I know that rendering with felt markers and gouache is REALLY hard and takes loads of practice, especially with results like this. Just squint and it looks like a photo..
ken_aisin 3:29AM (5/07/2009)
"The idea of the car is ok."
Lexus had the idea back in 1994 with the Lexus Landau (designed by Italdesign.)
http://wallpapers.conceptcar.ee/lexus/landau/01-1024.jpg
the_MVP_X 8:18AM (5/07/2009)
Man it was ugly back then, hope that this one will look more like the HS, then the rendering, still I can understand why they don't use the HS.
Farmboy 7:42PM (5/06/2009)
I have a feeling this thing is gonna look ugly. I hate the colored high-placed handles that look "flush" with the body. It looks horrible on the Infiniti QX56, so why do it on this?
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pickles 7:47PM (5/06/2009)
Phew. That's REALLY good they're not bringing it to the US. We HATE premium hatchbacks. That MINI, the GTI, the smart, even the Beetle and A3 all sell what? Maybe 12 or 13 cars a year? (Sarcasm)
Yet another cool looking hatch WITH innovative efficient/premium trim we'll never see. Why to manufacturers miss how successful high-end hatchbacks are these days?
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Harley Cook 9:18PM (5/06/2009)
You Americans are on a different planet!
Tim 9:33PM (5/06/2009)
EXACTLY. Euro only? wtf!
There are PLENTY of people out there with an active lifestyle who need the room for their stuff but still want an upscale fun-to-drive car. Duh.
Car makers can be such tools.
Evan 7:41AM (5/07/2009)
Small sedans make no sense. The trunks are useless. The headroom in the back seats is too cramped for adults. I'll never understand why Americans buy a car like their Yaris sedan over the equivalent hatchback. And therefore if I had to choose, I'd buy this version over the HS250h in a heartbeat.
cdwrx 7:51PM (5/06/2009)
FWD FTL
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Sparrow 3:25AM (5/07/2009)
Agreed
carcomptoy 8:08PM (5/06/2009)
I would kill to have one of these babies! I think it looks pretty sick...
I think I've decided that I'm a hatchback kind of guy. Not just because of this. But my tastes in general lean in that direction.
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Mazda FTW! 8:13PM (5/06/2009)
Hatchbacks rule. Especially in North America. Everyone is driving in silver sedans and gray SUVs and my dark blue Mazda3 hatch instantly stands out :) I love it.
inline6 8:12PM (5/06/2009)
Oh well, Buick will probably be happy to scoop up this Lexus's potential US sales with its upcoming Astra-based premium compact.
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