The Lexus LF-SA: A Teaser of the Geneva Concept

Posted by Kevin on February 17th, 2015

Lexus have released a teaser of the Geneva concept — it’s called the LF-SA, and it’s small:

Lexus LF-SA Full

Here’s the full press release:

An illustration of Lexus’ passion for upcoming design trends, the LF-SA concept explores unexpected territories for the brand in a bold and emotional execution.

In a future world which many people see as increasingly influenced by technology and virtual experiences, the LF-SA concept is also a driver-focused vehicle, reflecting Lexus’ vision that real experience will remain ultimate luxury.

As with any darkened image like this, let’s brighten it up and see what’s revealed:

Lexus LF-SA Brightened Up

There’s plenty that can be seen in this image:

  • With the tiny hood and the small roof, this is quite clearly a small vehicle.
  • Judging by the light wheel outline, it’s almost certainly a car.
  • The huge grille and its fractal pattern is very cool.

We can even analyze the name — the “S” could stand for small and “A” could be a nod to the “A-Segment” in Europe, which would make the LF-SA a potential competitor with the Mini Cooper, Audi A1, and Fiat 500.

Could Lexus really building a city car? Putting aside my personal feelings that yes, they absolutely should, a concept does not necessarily mean that a production model is on its way. Still, no point in assuming too much — there’s a limit to what can be determined from a near-black teaser image and a few letters.

The LF-SA concept will be revealed at the Lexus Press Conference at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3rd, 2015 at 2:30am EST/12:30pm PST.

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Comments
P
Finally, a different grille design!! I'm tired of seeing a lot of mesh grille already, lol
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    joe
  • February 17, 2015
It's almost certain that this is a city car; but one that looks so damn cool. Make it, Lexus!
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    William A
  • February 17, 2015
They need to do this if they're truly interested in competing globally on the sales front. It doesn't matter if Toyota exists for this reason as some will pothesize. The the ES, based off the Camry/Avalon, and the NX, based off the RAV4, has proven that Lexus can share platforms "responsibly," aka better than GM.
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    Adriann06
  • February 17, 2015
This can be a a class type car or can this be a concept be a lexus version of the toyota C-HR concept?
    A
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      Adriann06
    • February 17, 2015
    Or if it was would lexus have titled it as LF-SX or LF-AX instead?
    P
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      Pedro Roldão
    • February 17, 2015
    AX was Citroën at some years ago... I Hope neve see those two letters on a Lexus.... Moreover, one of the versions of AX is called TRD ... (the turbo diesel one ) LOL
F
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    FooFoo
  • February 17, 2015
S usually stands for sedan. I wait for a model based on C-HR, but not that too soon.
C
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    corradoMR2
  • February 17, 2015
Shocking. Goes against Lexus' statement they will not go sub-30K, at least in the US... (of course, I'm assuming this vehicle would be sub-30K...)
    R
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      rayaans
    • February 17, 2015
    Could easily be priced at $30,500 lol
D
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    Dunraven77
  • February 17, 2015
As the Lexus badge is black rather than blue this should be a non hybrid vehicle.
B
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    BOSS
  • February 17, 2015
Whoa, that's a pretty damn aggressive front! I'm guessing CT sedan.
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    LexusGXman
  • February 17, 2015
This car will not go below $30, Lexus themselves admitted to the fact that a luxury car below that price isn't actually true luxury, and Lexus would never want to lose the essence of luxury in their vehicles. That being said, I'm a bit nervous for this move of a city car, however, there is no doubt there is an existing market for this type of car and a very rapidly growing one at that! Lexus always has a tendency to come into a category last because they take their time with R&D and when they release a vehicle, it is not there just to be there, it serves a purpose and when that vehicle comes out, it shows that Lexus has done their homework, I expect nothing less from this car.
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    DDas
  • February 17, 2015
I posted this too (on the NX vs GLA post). But yeh I think it's an Audi A1 competitor...I don't know what else it could be. Carefully looking at it leads me to the deny the belief that it could be a sedan. It has such a Smart Car slope in the front...
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    LexusTechSA
  • February 17, 2015
Looks Awesome :)
M
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    MD
  • February 17, 2015
One word - WTF? Lexus is beginning to go nuts. Not to mention, it is based on a Yaris. Yuck!
M
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    MT
  • February 17, 2015
Guys, this is no A1 competitor. It is the Lexus version of the IQ/Cygnet.
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    Absolut Sabs
  • February 17, 2015
We wait and see.. times are changing indeed, exciting at best! This could be a Supermini..
K
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    KOHIPEET
  • February 17, 2015
The A pillar seems very steep. This indeed suggests a small car. My gues is is a Yaris based compact luxury car. I'm basing my assumption on that the WRC version of Yaris with its widened front looks similar to me. PIC: https://i.embed.ly/1/display/resize?key=1e6a1a1efdb011df84894040444cdc60&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FBuSsp4FIcAE7iuX.jpg
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    TMG
  • February 17, 2015
Mercedes A-klasse as well as its derivative CLA is actually a С-segment car in Europe and his rivals are BMW 1-er and Аudi A3 both hatchback and sedan.
    K
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      krew
    • February 17, 2015
    Did not realize the A Class had grown so much -- an assumption on my part, article has been updated.
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    Bob
  • February 17, 2015
I don't think it was accidental, it's been published openly on the UK Lexus blog this morning, with the following...The concept reflects Lexus’s passion for new design trends and explores unexpected territories for the brand.
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    matisse
  • February 17, 2015
It looks like It's based on Aygo, just in order not to compete with CT
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    Lasse J. Nordvik
  • February 17, 2015
I think a Yaris-sized city car is the safest bet,and a good idea too in my opinion.
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    Levi
  • February 17, 2015
For me it looks like based on Aygo. As long it is true Premium, I see no problem with such a car. Lexus is a Premium brand that should offer only Premium products, unlike German Premium brands that offer Non-Premium products when price is under 50K.
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    krew
  • February 17, 2015
Updated with official information, including the full press release.
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    Pedro Roldão
  • February 17, 2015
The new Euro Yaris is pretty good on highest trim level. A Lexus version of the Yaris makes sense. At least here in Europe.
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    DDas
  • February 17, 2015
What comes to mind is this old computer generated Yaris with a spindle like grille. It came out a while ago and everyone was sure it would be a new Lexus. Then we saw mash ups of a Yaris and a CT named AS150t. Now, that would be improperly named for S represents the sedans and lowercase t is now turbo. It should be called the AT150 for the capital T represents the wagons and hatch backs like the CT. But who knows...maybe it was sign that it was coming; Lexus just took a while to get it to the public.
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    FooFoo
  • February 17, 2015
Lexus AS? http://lexusenthusiast.com/2012/08/06/is-lexus-planning-a-city-car/
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    True Lexus Fan
  • February 17, 2015
Lexus version of the Scion IQ???
M
To me it almost seemed like a xB...Lexus sure has us fooled on this one!
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    darkride
  • February 18, 2015
Perhaps it is a Lexus version the 2010 Toyota FT-EV, which may not even be highlighting a currently planned production model, but a feeler for what future could hold, and bring buzz to the auto show.
    D
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      darkride
    • February 18, 2015
    Picture.
    D
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      DDas
    • February 18, 2015
    This is the FT-EV by Toyota mentioned above.
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    jruhi4
  • February 18, 2015
Keep in mind that rumors have recently surfaced that a production version of the A-segment MINI Rocketman concept from a couple of years ago would be built as the second BMW/Toyota collaboration after the upcoming sports car. Perhaps a production version of Lexus LF-SA would be a derivative of this "baby MINI", and not of the Toyota Yaris.
M
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    MT
  • February 18, 2015
The real bad thing about a either Lexus IQ or Yaris would be, that they will for sure get the same drivetrains (as CT and Prius). So be prepared for a 1,33 gasoline or 1,5 gasoline-hybrid Lexus with a whopping 95hp!

M