Frankfurt: Lexus LF-CH Front End Image Is Released

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 rear end picture released by Lexus earlier seemed promising, as did the rendering even before that.

Unfortunately, it seems as if the front end got derailed somewhat. This has odd shapes; I was hoping for a style more influenced by the IS Sedan, the best looking Lexus sold on the market today. The LF-CH is more in the style mold of the RX Crossover and HS hybrid sedan though. I'll have to see more pictures of the concept to make a final determination. For now, what do you guys think?