Autoblog:

The first images of what may be the production version of the new Lexus LF-Ch turned up in the Autoblog inbox this morning from an anonymous tipster. The car in the photos is still mostly veiled by a tarp and wrapped in semi-opaque plastic, but the Lexus badge is clearly visible on the tailgate. Even more visible is the shape of the rear glass and the overall proportions of the car, which perfectly match the compact hybrid concept that Lexus debuted last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The wraparound back-light is directly lifted from the concept, although the tail-light clusters are larger and are shaped like other contemporary Lexus models. The hybrid C-segment hatch will likely share most of its underpinnings with the HS 250h and Euro-market Toyota Auris on which the Lexus is based. We don't know for sure if Lexus plans to offer the LF-Ch in North America, although the concept was shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show last month and Americans seem to be increasingly favoring hatchbacks, so the odds are good. We're expecting this car to appear on stage at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, so stay tuned.