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This is the first glimpse of Lexus’s answer to the Audi A3, a premium compact that will be coming to the UK late next year.

The car maker is keen to get a foothold in the C-segment premium market which has so far been dominated by cars like the A3 and BMW 1-series.

A concept version of the car will make its debut at the Frankfurt motor show next month.

Unlike Audi, which showcases new design directions on flagship cars like the forthcoming A8, Lexus will be presenting a new ...Read the full article

 

good!

yep Rexus, please bring the Corolla, because this Auris is a joke.

...and by the way, bring also the ditched 1.6 D4-D Isuzu, at least we will start to see some Rexus in the roads.

Please please please use a new platform coz my dad has an Auris and god it is painfull in a lot of respects. A small Lexus should do well as it will under cut Audi and that joke the 1 series, Mercedes dont have a decent offering in this section( B class) so it should just about be VW Golf priced. And with Lexus quality and a decent ( please use new platform) ride it should certainly find a following here in the UK.

The pictures look good...so I hope they don't get diluted as production looms.

The market could use a good A3 competitor.

 

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It looks good, I know it will be diluted some what once it hits production.  I hope they use a range of engines that at least get close to the performance/economy that BMW are achieving now. 

This car will be a dud even before it's launched - remember the new 1 series and A3 are are just around the corner.

Unlike Acura (Honda) and to a lesser degree Infiniti (Nissan), Lexus now uses bespoke platforms and running gear.  You'll see some switchgear and mechanicals on a Toyota borrowed from Lexus but never the other way 'round.

Greg1:

You'll see some switchgear and mechanicals on a Toyota borrowed from Lexus but never the other way 'round.

Don't bet on this, apparently this small Lexus will be based on an Auris. Seems dead in the water before it's even started, and will have its work cut out with the new 1 and A3.

 It doesnt matter in which direction the bits have been borrowed, you would need to be a Lexus nerd to know it was there first. This could be a problem as Jaguar suffered for years with the link to Ford Switchgear and now you get Lexus stop start buttons etc on a Yaris. If they build a FWD Lexus then it could be the death of the brand as its premium image is gone in a second. Audi only get away with FWD because the higher powered ones are 4x4

Greg1:

Unlike Acura (Honda) and to a lesser degree Infiniti (Nissan), Lexus now uses bespoke platforms and running gear.  You'll see some switchgear and mechanicals on a Toyota borrowed from Lexus but never the other way 'round.

Dont be such a *** you berk.  The Lexus IS a Toyota.   Who do you think makes the Lexus?  BMW, Jaguar   hahaha

Don't quite understand your belligerance towards a simple enough post.

May I suggest you do some background research into the fact that Lexus operates as a completely independent business unit within Toyota, including its design, and manufacturing.

Jaguar unfortunately got the crappy end of the stick by having to use blatantly obvious Ford parts.

If this hatch does indeed turn out to be a rebadged Toyota Aurius (whatever the name is), then they may well shoot themselves in the foot, but somehow I doubt they will make this mistake...unless the model is for Europe only (smallish market).

 Can someon remind me what the point of Lexus is?