Lexus is aiming at the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the luxury compact segment by teasing a LF-Ch concept set to make an appearance in Frankfurt on September 15th.

The whole compact luxury car tease comes after accusations from bloggers and news makers alike of Lexus losing its appeal among younger buyers (or more harshly, becoming the Japanese version of Buick). The brand that once symbolized high performance sedans has fallen flat with the IS-F sports sedan and is desperately looking for something within the price reach of a younger, poorer, and more environmentally conscious driver.

The LF-Ch emphasizes Toyota’s hybrid and Hybrid Synergy Drive technologies and is touted as possibly becoming an electric-only 5-door premium compact for the Lexus brand.

WORLD PREMIERE OF LEXUS LF-Ch AT THE 2009 FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

Lexus will unveil the LF-Ch full hybrid premium compact concept at the forthcoming 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is joined on the Lexus stand by the world debut of the updated LS model range and revised versions of GS, IS and IS F.

Lexus LF-Ch
• Premium compact concept with Lexus Hybrid Drive
• Practical 5-door body, meeting the core needs of customers in the premium compact market
Reinforcing Lexus’ position as the only manufacturer to offer a range of hybrid vehicles, the LF-Ch concept will make its world premiere the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
LF-Ch combines stylish design and full hybrid technology in a practical 5-door compact package to fulfil the needs of the most demanding premium compact segment customers.
Benefiting from an electric-only driving capability, a key feature of Lexus Hybrid Drive, LF-Ch will allow for virtually silent urban driving with zero emissions.
Detailed information and images of the Lexus LF-Ch will be released on 10 September 2009.

Lexus LS
• Revised exterior and interior designs
• Updated equipment and redesigned seating
• Enhanced driving dynamics
Also making its world premiere at the show is the comprehensively revised LS model range, incorporating updates to the exterior and interior designs, a redesigned seating configuration, significantly updated equipment and enhanced driving dynamics.
The world’s only full hybrid vehicle in the premium luxury sedan segment, the Lexus LS 600h will be instantly identified as the high performance flagship of the LS model range through bespoke exterior and interior styling cues, improved packaging, and numerous enhancements to the vehicle’s Lexus Hybrid Drive system.

Lexus GS
• Revised exterior design, bringing further emphasis to full hybrid GS 450h
• Enhanced safety features
• New audio and navigation systems and revised colour range
The 2010 GS model range features enhanced safety features, new exterior and interior colours while the GS 450h’s status as the model range flagship has now been further reinforced through several bespoke styling cues. GS450h remains the world’s only full hybrid model in the premium mid-size segment. The 2010 GS range also benefits from upgraded audio and navigation systems.

IS and IS F
• F-Sport package available on IS sedan
• IS F now available with Limited Slip Differential
• New audio and navigation systems
A refreshed IS model range incorporates navigation and audio system upgrades, a new F Sport trim package and a revised IS F ultra-high performance sports sedan now available with a Limited Slip Differential.