Baby Lexus for Frankfurt show?

Lexus's plans to develop a new entry-level luxury hatch to compete with the BMW 1 Series appear to be gathering pace. New reports indicate that Lexus is readying a version of the prototype version of the car for the Frankfurt motor show in September.

According to the UK media reports, the new Lexus concept will be called C-Premium and will show which direction the car's design will take.

As reported by the Carsales Network earlier in the month, the baby Lexus may not see the light of day for another year or possibly more, but Lexus is nevertheless committed to building a small vehicle to slot in underneath the IS 250.

"I think there is a huge market for a $49,990 or $45,000 Lexus," said John Roca, the chief executive of Lexus Australia.

"Given that if you do the research on young or early adopters to the luxury market it seems from a brand understanding and brand opportunity for us, a lot of younger people know more about Lexus than older people do. Because they [older consumers] are more staid, in terms of traditional European brands, whereas our younger audience is very open to the Lexus brand."

Roca confirmed that development of the baby Lexus has commenced in Japan but that details are unclear.

However some reports are suggesting that the vehicle could be front-wheel drive, eschewing the rear-wheel layout that Lexus (and its prestige rivals) favours, but we should have a better idea of the new compact five-door hatch when Lexus releases its small concept car in Frankfurt.

Stay tuned to the Carsales Network for more news in the coming weeks.

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