Lexus ’ European market managing director Tadashi Arashima confirmed that the automaker is working on a small car aimed squarely at the European market. To be smaller than the IS, the smallest Lexus currently on sale, the automaker hopes that the new car will help boost volume levels in Europe to over 150,000 units sold annually.
In an interview with Germany’s WirtschaftsWoche newspaper, Arashima described the car as a rival to the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 , among others. It will be designed to comply with Europe’s strict emissions and pedestrian safety regulations.
Though Leftlane hasn’t been able to confirm specifics on the new car, it’s expected that it will eventually be part of a full line of small cars, including a hatchback and sporty coupe. Expect power to come from efficient but refined diesel four-cylinders and probably a hybrid powerplant.
United States sales are unlikely, though Lexus could initially test the waters in the Canadian market, which has consistently shown more favor to small luxury cars like the Acura EL.
