Lexus will launch hybrid SUV to rival Q3

COLOGNE, Germany -- Lexus plans to show a production-ready premium compact SUV to rival Audi's Q3 and BMW's X1 at next year's Geneva auto show, a company source said.

The hybrid model, which will be based on parent company Toyota's RAV4 compact SUV, will slot below the current Lexus RX 450h and become the automaker's first offering in the fast-growing premium medium SUV segment, the source said.

It was unclear if or when the vehicle would come to North America. Toyota Europe declined to comment on future plans for the model.

At this year's Detroit auto show, Lexus chief Kazuo Ohara said a concept version of the SUV would be unveiled at the Tokyo auto show in November.

The compact SUV will likely use the Toyota hybrid drivetrain currently found in the Lexus IS 300h, which uses a four-cylinder 2.5-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor.

Automakers are racing to add small SUVs to their lineups because of the popularity of models such as the Q3, Nissan's Juke and Opel's Mokka.

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