Lexus teases premium hatch ahead of Frankfurt debut
by Noah Joseph on Aug 17th 2009 at 9:28AM 
Lexus CT concept teaser sketch – Click above for high-res image
With high fuel prices and decreased cash flow, many buyers are looking for smaller cars that don't compromise on luxury or prestige – or so the theory goes. It's a lesson that the European automakers have learned, and learned well with offerings like the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3, and Volvo C30. Now, Lexus has confirmed it is entering the fray with a contender of its own, releasing this sketch to give us a little preview.
Expected to debut in concept form at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show – right where its desired competitors are birthed – the Lexus hatchback is anticipated to carry the CT nameplate and offer up a variety of hybrid drivetrains in a package that could set the tone for future Lexus models from the ground up. While a version of the hatchback is widely expected to reach showrooms, we have to wonder if the relatively disappointing sales for cars in this segment (essentially everyone but Mini) will keep the production CT out of American dealers. Stay tuned for more info as the show approaches next month.
[Source: Lexus]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mr.Oak 9:36AM (8/17/2009)
Now, that's a "Hatch" I could love. Not that piece of warmed over poop that Acura has in the post below.
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Luis 9:41AM (8/17/2009)
Hey that poop will cause damage if it comes out the wrong way!
Danimal 9:45AM (8/17/2009)
The sketch looks good, but no way it will ever reach production looking like that.
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Mehdi Cheddadi 10:18AM (8/17/2009)
soo true, to bad. lexus is a grampa brand anyways.
Danimal 10:22AM (8/17/2009)
Agree Mehdi, I see WAY more old people driving Lexus than even Buicks. With GM and Ford finally getting their shit together and Toyota/Lexus basically running business as usual their roles are slowly reversing.
vipercookie 11:43AM (8/17/2009)
Even if it looks exactly like the picture (witch would be great), it would be about as boring to drive as the Prius. The only thing they seem to care about is fuel mileage, witch I under stand, but what about the drive experience. I want more than a nice looking, great mpg, point A to point B car.
Alex 9:47AM (8/17/2009)
Depends on how they price it. I think a big problem with the other premium small cars is that their price is too close to that of the next car up. The difference between the cheapest 1 series and cheapest 3 series is only $4k. Conversely, the spread between the cheapest 3 and 5 is $12k. Same goes for Audi and Volvo, for just a little bit more you can put yourself into the next car up so why get the smaller one? Mini on the other hand doesn't have a "next car up" so to speak.
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Sheepszies 9:53AM (8/17/2009)
I hate lexus for being so bland...but I love hatchbacks. If their production model looks anything like that sketch (which it won't, because it's lexus, and therefore it will have to be bland-ified) I would buy it....sketch looks hot!
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Luis 9:55AM (8/17/2009)
Because other companies don't tone down their concepts. Only Toyota/Lexus. Just like they're the only ones to "re-badge". Yadda yadda yadda.
Ligor 11:13AM (8/17/2009)
really?
from teh sketch only the front bumper looks like a cheap aftermarket ricer adn the rest of the car is bland as they get
there isn't a single line in that side profile, how's that not bland already?
Sheepszies 11:16AM (8/17/2009)
Well it's a sketch...It led me to believe that the concept will look pretty awesome. I know cars are never as nice as concepts...but lexus just needs something cool in their portfolio of cars..something that the IS has not managed to accomplish
Infra 11:29AM (8/17/2009)
It certainly might look like that. The concept looks a lot like an IS-F with the fog light area curving in rather than out, with a Wald front lip from the ISx50. Look at these pics.
http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/lexus-isf1.jpg
http://www.d2autosport.com/wheels/wald/2iskitporto500pix.jpg
vipercookie 11:59AM (8/17/2009)
Luis
Toyota/Lexus may not be the only company that tones down their concepts, but their not known for making head turners either.
Greg Aryous 9:59AM (8/17/2009)
Think of the Lincoln Concept-C that debuted at this years Detroit auto show, its polarizing and just what Lincoln needs. I say build 'em with the 250HP 2.0 I4 EcoBoost and 6-speed dry dual clutch, AWD...
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Rick 10:10AM (8/17/2009)
WTF is going on with that front end? Maybe it's the artistic styling that just isn't coming across for me.
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Mike7 10:30AM (8/17/2009)
If that look makes it into production...I could see myself in that.
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DP 10:34AM (8/17/2009)
Here's hoping it comes to the USA!
This and the Cadillac ATS (shooting brake) hatchback.
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Lemon 10:36AM (8/17/2009)
I covered up the back end with my hand and absolutely fell in love with the design. I guess I'm just not a fan of hatches; I think this would make a hot looking coupe. Lexus needs some aggressive looking cars like this to scare seniors out of showrooms and target younger audiences. Don't let the bean counters ruin it!
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rllama 11:15AM (8/17/2009)
Is it just my imagination, or does the Golf get left out of the premium hatchback discussion all the time? They seem to sell fairly well, don't they? Are they just not considered "premium" enough with the GTI?
I just don't get where the perception comes from that the premium hatch market is a bust, when the current attempts to sell them seem to be the Mini, the Golf, and the Volvo C30. Two of those I think sell pretty well, and the C30 is just kind of out of place with it's brand, and hasn't been marketed very well. It could also use a better choice of engines in the US. Also, it seems like a really big step down between those 3 and the only other new 2-door hatchbacks in the US market, the Yaris and Accent.
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travisty 11:19AM (8/17/2009)
Here's (desperately) hoping this covers the "sporty" gap between anything Scion and the Lexus IS 250. Scion was it's youthful brand, designed to get people looking at the Toyota family when they never would have previously. It worked, but the question became what do us current Scion owners (tC) buy now that we've matured somewhat? There's NOTHING in the Toyota family in the $20-30k range that appeals to Scion owners whatsoever. Price this in the 20-25k range, and it'll do well. Price it at 28k and Toyota will go back to thinking that their buyers don't like hatchbacks...
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