Lexus hatchback concept

The baby Lexus has landed! This is the first official shot of the premium Japanese brand's first compact hatch, designed to take on the upmarket BMW 1-Series head-on.

Called the Lexus LF-Ch (the 'LF' denoting it's a concept, the 'C' confirming it's a C-segment car and the 'h' meaning its a hybrid), it features a practical five-door layout and a remarkably production-ready desoign. In fact if rumours are to be believed, it could enter production, with very few changes to the concept shown here, as early as next year.

Lexus is the only manufacturer to offer a range of hybrids, and judging by the LF-Ch concept that range is about to expand. The show car is fitted with a full-hybrid powertrain, with an electric-only driving function allowing, in theory, short-range zero emissions driving in urban areas.

Full details and an extensive picture gallery will be released on 10 September 2009, days before the LF-Ch makes its debut in Frankfurt.

Also on the Lexus stand in Germany will be a revised version of the LS luxury saloon, with updates inside and out, as well as a mildly facelifted GS. The IS will be shown with the new F-Sport styling package and there's new that that IS F can now be ordered with a limited slip differential.