Sneak Peek: Lexus LF-Ch 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.For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Unofficial Picture Up Date: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Official pics of Hyundai's VW Passat rival, the Sonata, have been leaked onto Korean car forums. And it's a stunner!

The leaked pics show the U.S and Asian market model of the car but reports suggest that the ix40, a European version of the Sonata, will not be wholly different apart from the two-tier grille seen on the Tucson replacing the bolder, chrome grille shown in the pictures.

Inside the cabin, two deep set gauges and a colour screen on the driver's display hint at high quality build materials and a thoroughly modern interior. Gear-shifters mounted behind the steering wheel show that the Sonata will be available with a semi-automatic, paddle-shift gear-box. Mated to this semi-auto changer will most likely be four-cylinder and V6 petrol units along with a 2.0-litre diesel powerplant with 185hp.

The official debut of the Sonata is expected before the end of the year, with sales expected to start in all markets during the first half of 2010. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express