Hybrid 90g/km CO2 Lexus
September 18th, 2009 by Richard Aucock
LEXUS’ new BMW 1 Series hybrid rival is expected to emit just 90g/km of CO2 when it hits markets in 2011!
General manager Ewan Shepherd revealed the LF-Ch’s headline-grabbing target figure to Car Dealer Magazine.
Under current legislation, this will make it eligible for FREE road tax.
He also expects it to be priced in the £21,000-£24,000 range.
The concept model, which debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, is still awaiting final confirmation – but ‘is final in the minds of Japan.’
That’s because it’s a crucial car for Lexus. ‘It’s important to be in the C-segment, as it’s vital for the market as a whole. In the premium sector, we expect it to be taking a quarter of all sales by 2011.’
These customers will come both from larger D-sector saloons, he told us, but also from ‘aspirational’ sales to Ford and Vauxhall owners.
‘In our research, we were surprised at how many BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 drivers used to own Focus and Astras.’
Shepherd expects the model, dubbed LF-Ch at the moment, to be the first full hybrid in the sector.
The eye-opening news was revealed to a contingent of car dealers, taken out to the Frankfurt show by Lexus.
‘We feel it is important to be fully open about what we have planned for Lexus in the future,’ said Shepherd.
By Richard Aucock