Toyota Lexus C-Premium (CS) compact hatchback to debut at 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show

Toyota’s luxury arm Lexus will launch a five-door hybrid compact hatchback concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, in September 2009, Autocar has reported.  The Lexus hatchback hybrid concept will be called the Lexus C-Premium, but there is no confirmation on this. It might be called Lexus CS too, according to some reports.

The Lexus C-Premium hatchback will be the company’s first compact hatchback in the C-segment, and will take on the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3, when it goes into production.

Rumors suggest that the Lexus C-Premium hatchback was flagged off at the insistence of Lexus’ European executives who felt that the C-segment was a lucrative market.

Rumors also say that the Lexus C-Premium hatchback would be a front-wheel drive and have the same petrol-electric hybrid powertrain from the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, which produces a total of 187-hp from a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine.

The car is said to be based on a modified Toyota Auris platform.

The Lexus C-Premium hatchback, that falls under the C-segment, is expected to wear a CS badge.

All the cars released by Lexus have always been high on style and this new hatchback is no exception. The Lexus C-Premium / CS hatchback has been inspired by the new RX450h SUV at the front and features bold three-bar grille and sleek headlights.

Many renderings of the Lexus C-Premium hatchback are doing the rounds on the Internet. Here are some renderings that have surfaced on the net.

Photo: Lexus C-Premium / CS hatchback concept rendering via AutoExpress

Photo: Lexus C-Premium hatchback concept rendering via AutoExpress

Lexus C-Premium hatchback concept rendering

The car is expected to hit European markets in 2010, and would then be launched in North America. The new C-Premium / CS hatchback is expected to be priced at something in the region of £20,000.

lexusenthusiast.com has reported that Lexus has registered CT200h, CT300h & CT400h in the USA and CT200h in Canada. The site speculates that CT is likely to stand for Compact Touring or Compact Tourer.

The Toyota Lexus C-Premium hatchback would be the first front-wheel-drive Lexus. However one will still have to wait till the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show for exact details.