Chicago Preshow: Lexus CT 200h Concept Tune by Five Axis

Lexus will be showing off a wilder CT 200h prepared by parent company Toyota's tuning partner Five-Axis at the upcoming 2011 Chicago Auto Show, which runs for the public from February 11 to 20. The highly-modified Five Axis Project CT will be dressed in a custom made wide body kit with hybrid's bad-boy appearance further enhanced by the JDSU “Dark Passage” paint, the lowered ride height (thanks to a TEIN Flex coilover suspension system), and custom 19-inch FIVE:AD forged alloy wheels.

No word on any powertrain improvements, but the CT 200h concept study will get a bespoke interior treatment and a Stoptech High Performance Big Brake Kit on the front.

The Five Axis Project CT will be joined by numerous Lexus models including vehicles from last year’s SEMA Show such as a customized LS600h L by VIP Auto Salon and a revamped RX 450h courtesy of tuner Paul Tolson, EST Styling, plus the full range of production models like the 2012 LFA sports car.

READ MORE - Chicago Preshow: Lexus CT 200h Concept Tune by Five Axis

Chicago Preshow: Lexus CT 200h Concept Tune by Five Axis

Lexus will be showing off a wilder CT 200h prepared by parent company Toyota's tuning partner Five-Axis at the upcoming 2011 Chicago Auto Show, which runs for the public from February 11 to 20. The highly-modified Five Axis Project CT will be dressed in a custom made wide body kit with hybrid's bad-boy appearance further enhanced by the JDSU “Dark Passage” paint, the lowered ride height (thanks to a TEIN Flex coilover suspension system), and custom 19-inch FIVE:AD forged alloy wheels.

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READ MORE - Chicago Preshow: Lexus CT 200h Concept Tune by Five Axis

Lexus LF-Ch: Production Version of Five-Door Hatchback Rival to BMW 1-Series Scooped!

An anonymous Carscoop reader dropped these scoop photos of what appears to be the production version of the Lexus LF-Ch hatch into our mailbox this morning. The LF-Ch concept model made its world debut at last year's Frankfurt motor show with Lexus making it more than clear that it would build the five-door hatchback.

"Let me stress that you are not looking at a market study … or hearing about vague intentions" Andy Pfeiffenberger, vice president of Lexus Europe, told journalists during the presentation of the car in Frankfurt.

"This LF-Ch concept is a clear indication of our entry plans for the compact premium segment in the near future, with the world's first ever premium compact, full hybrid."

The overall shape of the plastic wrapped model depicted in these spy photos is almost identical to the LF-Ch concept right down to the rear window, though the design does appear to have been toned down a notch.

For example, gone are the 'hidden' read door handles that have been replaced by conventional handles while the tail lights and rear bumper design are new.

If the car pictured here is indeed the LF-Ch, then there's a strong possibility that we may see the hatchback model in the flesh at the Geneva Salon next March.

Lexus plans to offer the premium hatch that will rival cars like the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 with both conventional and hybrid powertrains.

Hat tip to our anonymous reader for the shots!

READ MORE - Lexus LF-Ch: Production Version of Five-Door Hatchback Rival to BMW 1-Series Scooped!

Tokyo 2010: Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Concept

Lexus' offerings for the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon included a lightweight concept version of the firm's performance-minded sports sedan. Dubbed IS F Circuit Club Sport or CCS for short, the prototype Lexus comes in an attention-grabbing bright orange finish and more carbon fiber than a NASA warehouse.

And we're talking about a lot of carbon fiber as the lightweight material is used for the newly designed hood, rooftop, rear wing, exterior mirrors, trunk, front spoiler lips, right down to the rear diffuser.

The same material is also found on the Lexus IS F's engine cover as well as in the interior on the door panels, center and lower console, steering wheel trim, and the transmission lever.

Unfortunately, Lexus did reveal the weight gains from the extensive use of carbon fiber parts on the sports car.

Other mods include the forged magnesium wheels and sport tires, high-performance carbon ceramic brakes, sport suspension, new exhaust system with a titanium sports muffler and the two-tone bucket seats inside.

Lexus said that the standard IS F's 5.0-liter V8 engine with 423HP (in JDM spec) has been left intact.

Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron

READ MORE - Tokyo 2010: Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Concept

Lexus LF-Ch: Premium Hatchback Concept with Hybrid Drive Revealed

In the run up to the official debut of the LF-Ch concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show and only a couple of weeks after the release of a teaser drawing, Lexus issued a single photograph of the premium hatchback that is believed to spawn a production model as early as 2010. The five-door hatch targets the C-segment premium market with rivals such as the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series.

"The LF-Ch combines stylish design and full hybrid technology in a practical 5-door compact package to fulfill the needs of the most demanding premium compact segment customers," said Lexus in a statement.

The concept model uses the Japanese firm's Lexus Hybrid Drive and according to the automaker, it benefits from an electric-only driving capability. But that's about all that Lexus will reveal until for now. More detailed information and a full set of photos are expected to go online on September 10 2009.

READ MORE - Lexus LF-Ch: Premium Hatchback Concept with Hybrid Drive Revealed

Lexus Releases Teaser Shot of BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 Premium Compact Hatch Rival

Ahead of its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Lexus today published this teaser sketch of a premium compact hatchback concept, which is said to preview next year's production model that will challenge the BMW 1-Series, Audi A3 and Volvo C30 models. "The concept will demonstrate a mix of technical innovation and ground-breaking design that promises to raise the bar in the premium compact segment," the company said in a short statement

The Japanese automaker did not disclose any other details on its "baby" model but rumor has it that the concept car will feature a hybrid drivetrain. Expect to see more information and new teaser photos of the car being released closer to the Frankfurt Show opening.

READ MORE - Lexus Releases Teaser Shot of BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 Premium Compact Hatch Rival

Lexus Rumored to Debut Compact Hatchback Concept in Frankfurt, Targets BMW 1 Series

Toyota's premium brand Lexus is planning to unveil a five-door compact hatchback concept at this September's Frankfurt Motors Show that will be followed by a production model at next year's Geneva Salon, according to Edmunds. The report goes on to claim that the hatch will use a front-wheel drive Corolla chassis - not the best base for a direct competitor to the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 models...

Not surprisingly, it is also noted that there will be a hybrid model in the mix that will most likely get the same the same drivetrain as the Lexus HS 250h sedan that utilizes a 147 HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine and a 40 HP electric motor for a combined output for 187-horsepower.

However, there is a chance that the hybrid version of Lexus' premium hatch may get the same drivetrain as the forthcoming Auris Hybrid model that is scheduled to be launched in Europe in the second half of 2010.

It is reported that the new Lexus hatch will go on sale in Europe in late 2010 while there are no plans to bring it to North American.

Via: Insideline , Photo Illustration: Best Car

READ MORE - Lexus Rumored to Debut Compact Hatchback Concept in Frankfurt, Targets BMW 1 Series

Lexus Reveals LF-A 500HP V10 that will Race at the 24h of Nurburgring!

Even though we have yet to see the production model of the Lexus LF-A study that has been previewed in both coupe and roadster forms in the past, the Japanese automaker decided to put its long anticipated (and overdue...) supercar to the ultimate test by entering two race-spec versions at this weekend's Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race. Seen here for the first time in race livery, the 200mph+ (321km/h) LF-A sportscars are powered by a front-mid mounted V10 engine producing 500HP. The LF-As will be entered by Gazoo Racing, which from what we learned, is a Japanese market, Toyota-owned, e-commence website that has its own racing team.

The team that will tackle the 'Green Hell' will be made up of a combination of professional drivers, Toyota test drivers, dealers and a pilot that Lexus refers to as "Morizo" who is none other than Toyota's soon-to-be CEO Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the firm's founder.

According to a previous release from Lexus, the knowledge gained from the endurance race will be fed back to engineering teams to assist with further development of the production LF-A.

READ MORE - Lexus Reveals LF-A 500HP V10 that will Race at the 24h of Nurburgring!