Toyota Motor Company was among the many automakers introducing shocking new electric concept cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Just as we highlighted examples from Audi and Volkswagen earlier today, we want to shine the spotlight on these concepts.

Lexus LF-Ch
The compact, sporty LF-Ch concept vehicle has a striking exterior and makes for a promising overall package. More extroverted than the HS 250h on sale now, the LF-Ch explores a potential styling direction for Lexus. Certain to appeal more overseas in hatchback-friendly nations, the LF-Ch could succeed in the States with its “look at me, I’m different” appearance—a characteristic that has been key to the appeal and success of the second- and third-generation Prius. 

Lexus alludes to the LF-Ch being powered by its “latest generation” technology, suggesting the 147-horsepower four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain in the HS 250h. Being a true show vehicle, however, this LF-Ch has no powertrain at all. It is what is known as a “pusher,” rolled on the display to generate excitement and elicit consumer feedback. Think it would sell here in the United States? Post your thoughts in the comments below.
 
Toyota Plug-in Prius
Toyota showed its long-awaited homegrown plug-in Prius, which will be sold in small numbers to fleet customers in the U.S. next year. The plug-in Prius will use a 4.5 kwh lithium-ion battery pack to give the car about a 12.5-mile electric range. The car can go up to 60 mph on electric power, though that would reduce the range.
 
Toyota officially says it will bypass lithium-ion for a new battery technology it says will have better performance, but the company will test lithium-ion in real world conditions with this car.  Toyota’s subsidiary, Panasonic EV Energy, makes the lithium batteries. (Read our test of the previous-generation Toyota Prius we had converted to a plug-in.)

—Jeff Bartlett and Eric Evarts

Learn about driving green in the Consumer Reports special fuel economy section