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 Autoblog

There’s a new sheriff in town at Toyota, and he’s wasting no time in making his presence felt at the World’s Largest Automaker. Fortunately, that finally means a return to building fun-to-drive cars after years of offering virtually nothing to tempt the enthusiast market. We can only hope that some of that sporting DNA finds its way into the rest of the automaker’s staid lineup as well.

“The severe drop in the economy and auto market has created some of the most challenging times Toyota has ever faced,” says new Toyota Prez Akio Toyoda. “I aim to take us back to what made Toyota successful for many years – making high-quality products at an affordable price.”

According to Toyoda, two of the most eagerly anticipated (non-hybrid) vehicles from Toyota in years are moving ahead at full steam. First of all, the seemingly forever-delayed Lexus LF-A sportscar is back on track and headed Stateside. Secondly, Toyoda reconfirmed earlier reports that the planned affordable sportscar made in partnership with Subaru is on its way within the next few years. Finally, change we can believe in!

Source Autoblog

As previously reported, Lexus will unveil a new concept at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show that aims to compete with the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series in Europe.

The new model – rumored to carry either the “BS” or “CS” nameplate – won’t be built atop the Lexus HS250h’s architecture, but it will utilize the gas-electric hybrid’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder to deliver around 185 hp to the front wheels.

Although the model we’ll see in Frankfurt is technically a concept, according to Lexus insiders, it will be “a 90% match for the real thing” which will debut in production form at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with sales beginning in Europe in the fall of 2010.

Source Autoblog

Lexus accidentally let it slip that there was a Japanese brochure leaked ahead of the Lexus RX 2009 launch. We weren’t supposed to see the 4×4 until the November 2008 LA auto show, but we’ve tracked down the photos of the new Lexus RX early.

Source: carmagazine.co.uk

A BMW 1-series has a rival. The official confirmation was released by Lexus saying that the company will provided a compact class vehicle in light of CO2 regulations. Speaking to the German media, European company MD Tadashi Arashima told reporters: ‘We will offer a Lexus in the compact class’. He explained that Lexus needed ’smaller and more efficient vehicles’ in the face of European CO2 regulations.

Source: carmagazine

The Lexus LF-A Roaster changes F from just a letter, to a bold statement. Lexus removed the top of the LF-A coupe, to create a high-performance roadster. Its low-profile, sleek, aerodynamic shape is fashioned from lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum and features a speed adaptive rear wing. And like the coupe, the LF-A Roadster is powered by a high-revving V10 engine capable of over 500 horsepower, which can reach an astonishing top speed of over 200 mph on the track.

Toyota’s next Prius is expected to make its formal debut in 2009 at the Detroit Auto Show with a possible Lexus sister. It is also certain that Toyota plans to increase production by 60 percent in 2009. We expect Prius V.3 to be equipped with nickel metal hydride batteries to start, though lithium ions could go into the Lexus model.

A recent article on Auto Observer reinforces all of these points and adds that Toyota is planning to increase the displacement of the new Prius’ internal combustion engine to 1.8 liters from today’s 1.5 liters. This should offer twenty-five extra horsepower from the engine, pushing total power to a combined 160 horses. Even with the added gumption, the next Prius is expected to post an efficiency increase of around 10 percent, possibly achieving 50-55 miles per gallon in the real world.

The next-gen Prius is expected to grow a bit larger and could get a wagon option as well, though the assorted hybrid bits will actually decrease in size. If the next Prius grows too large for your needs, rumors indicate that a smaller hybrid under the Prius banner is also possible. Auto Observer quotes an anonymous source as suggesting that the next generation Prius is “still Prius-eque, but a bit bigger and more solid looking.” The current Prius’ styling is an acquired taste, but most consider Gen-2 better looking than Gen-1. We have high hopes for the next Prius redesign, and the possible Prius brand as well.

[Source: autobloggreen]

More info has popped up on VWVortex forums courtesy of a scan from MagX. According to the post, the Lexus hybrid, internally known as the 812L, will have a roofline similar to that of the Prius with distinct Lexus styling that will be in sync with the L-finesse design language.

Pricing is expected to be over $30,000. While it’s still uncertain whether or not the next-generation Prius will use lithium-ion batteries, the Lexus 812L is expected to be equipped with Li-On batteries since Lexus can offset the development cost with a higher price point.

Source: VWVortex