Lexus' hybrid hatch shows its face

The baby Lexus has landed! Lexus is readying a BMW 1-series for Frankfurt, and this is the first photo to emerge, after last week's rear shot, of the front end. 

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.

However, the ultra-agressive stance of this concept would have to be toned down somewhat to make production. Unless Lexus is planning an F-Sport variant along the lines of the IS F that is...

Lexus is the only manufacturer to offer a range of hybrids, and if the LF-Ch concept makes it to showrooms 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.