Frankfurt show: We overexpose Lexus concept

LEXUS has released a single darkened image of a concept car due at next month’s Frankfurt motor show – but thanks to a little electronic detective work GoAuto can tell you even more about it.

We’ve enhanced the image to extract as much detail from it as we can, revealing a wild-looking concept car expected to preview the luxury car-maker’s first foray into the compact SUV segment.

The enhanced image reveals more than Lexus’ original dark teaser shot, including the diamond-mesh grille, chunky front three-quarter panel, sharply creased and sloping bonnet and flared rear wheel arches.

While Lexus has said it will stage a world premiere at Frankfurt on September 10, it has not revealed anything further about the concept.

But the company has made no secret of its desire to expand its SUV line-up beyond the existing RX and LandCruiser-based LX, and the Prado-based GX that is not sold in Australia, although Toyota’s luxury arm has remained relatively quiet about development plans for its smaller SUV model.

Spy shots of a disguised CT200h hatch with compact SUV underpinnings hit the internet back in June, indicating a concept reveal was not far off.

If the NX goes into production, it would sit below the RX and compete with the European set including the BMW X3, Audi Q3/Q5 and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLK, as well as the Volvo XC60 and Range Rover Evoque.

The teaser image reveals the front quarter of the concept wearing the Japanese luxury brand’s now familiar spindle grille, with a barb-like daytime running light sitting under the main head-light cluster, much like the new-generation IS.

The slimline headlights feature three L-shaped LED lights trailing up above the heavily detailed front wheel arch, while the enhanced image also reveals a futuristic looking external mirror that has become standard fare on concept cars.

Previous reports had suggested Lexus would reveal a compact-SUV concept in its home market Japan at the Tokyo motor show in November, but pressure to fill the gap in its line-up appears to have pushed the reveal forward to Frankfurt in September.

The Tokyo slot is now expected to be filled by the hi-po GS F.

Lexus will also reportedly reveal a production version of its highly-anticipated RC coupe – a two-door version of its recently-launched IS small car contender – at the Detroit motor show in January next year.

The RC was previewed by the stunning LF-CC concept at last year’s Paris motor show.

Lexus will also show its hybrid GS300h mid-size luxury sedan at Frankfurt that is scheduled to go on sale in Europe in the final quarter of the year.