Car Throttle

The Lexus CT 200h has been in the works for a long time. For years we've heard about a new small Lexus coming to do battle in the European market, and last year at the Frankfurt Auto Show the LF-CH was released. This year at Geneva the production model, named CT 200h, was revealed. But, would it be coming to the United States? The answer has come - and its yes. Lexus has announced a simultaneous global launch for the CT 200h, with the car being delivered around the world (including the United States!) in the first quarter of 2011. Lexus says the car will be making its U.S debut at the New York International Auto Show next month, being on display from March 31st to April

In order to be a true global luxury brand, you need to be able to compete successfully in the European market. And, in order to compete in the European market, you need to produce a compact luxury vehicle. This has been Lexus' goal, so at the Frankfurt Auto Show the long-rumored small Lexus was finally introduced. Before the show, Lexus seemed to show signs it was willing to bring the car to our shores. For quite some time, it was slated to be European only but that has seemed to change. Now a poll has appeared on Lexus' website asking questions about the car. The poll mainly deals with questioning regarding the polarizing design features. Favorite angle of the car, favorite aspect of the design, thoughts on

The Frankfurt Auto Show is this month, and a lot of the releases slated for the show are appearing early. Kind of unfortunate - there is a lot of excitement in seeing all the vehicles for the first time. Today's reality makes that near impossible though, with embargo breaking and early releases by the manufacturers themselves. Lexus is one of the automakers that has been doing that, with the LF-Ch concept that is previewing the production model of a new Lexus compact for European (and possibly United States) markets. Given that the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series sized market is thriving, if Lexus ever wants to make inroads there it needs to field a solid competitor. I was hoping the LF-CH could be that car. The

As a part of Toyota's plan to control the world, they've decided their Lexus luxury division needs a small luxo hatch to be competitive on the European market.  While here in the US expensive hatchbacks sell about as well as ice cream to Eskimos, in Europe they make a lot more sense. So far this is all we've seen of the LF-Ch concept, but from here it looks like a mix of over-the-top show car bling hiding what looks like a basically attractive small hatchback.  All we really know is that it'll have a version of Toyota's "Hybrid Synergy Drive" gas-electric system.  My guess?  It will probably sit on a version of the Toyota Auris chassis, which is what they renamed the Corolla in Europe.  If