Lexus’s New Euro Hatch Set for 2011

Lexus is going push a new compact luxury hatch to better compete with the BMW 1 series, Audi A3, and Volvo C30.  The hatch, targeting the EU only, will apparently employ a gas-electric 2.4 L inline-four engine and likely a 6-spd. automatic gearbox.  The new vehicle will not be based on the HS250 hybrid sedan, but may use a modified version of the IS platform.  The new hatch is slated for the 2011 model year.