New York motor show 2011: Lexus LF-Ch

The New York show's main concept-car debut was this Lexus, called LF-Ch. It's effectively a preview of the next GS, due at the turn of the year.

As it sat there on its podium, all mercury-shade paint and 20in wheels, it defied us not to think back a couple of days to the Shanghai show and the BMW M5 Concept. Especially when standing behind it, we completely failed not to think of the BMW M5 Concept.

But it's actually supposed a hybrid, carrying the next generation of Lexus's petrol-electric system, presumably with a V6 under the hood.

Design language is all about contradictions, they say. It ‘unites hard and soft, dyanamic and soothing'. The usual designer-speak, then. And of course, that all-time favourite cliche: ‘A sense of movement' when ‘standing still'.

Newest thing for Lexus is that ‘spindle shaped' grille, which they say really will feature on the actual production cars.