| Motorshow Preview | Tokyo Motor Show | Lexus Display |

It's a well-known 'secret' that the Lexus LF-A is going to be at the Tokyo Motor Show. Unfortunately, no more juicy details have emerged since. Most predict a 5.0-litre V10 to the tune of 500bhp will be the weapon of choice, but beyond the guessing games, and with spy shots showing a disguised LF-A lapping the Nurburgring, the Lexus two-seater sports car has definitely got the go-ahead.

For now, we just have the concept. At 1,220mm tall its strong front proportions and fantastic triple exhaust system are sure-fire winners on the design front. If the production car looks anything like the concept's carbon fibre reinforced body, Lexus will have done itself a great service.

Sharing the stage will be the LF-Xh. Making its global debut, the concept SUV features all-wheel drive and a V6 petrol unit mated to Lexus's Hybrid Drive system - complete with electric motor, as used in the current RX 400h. Competing with the looks of the LF-A was never going to be an easy task, but Lexus has rather handsomely blended the sports car's upper front profile with a more muscular bumper section. The square jaw-line of the SUV blends nicely into pronounced front wheelarches that also feature at the rear. At 1,650mm tall, the concept sits high on its special alloy wheels, whilst flank creases are kept to a minimum - further unflustered by the absence of wing-mirrors that have been replaced by rear-facing cameras.

Inside, the LF-Xh features a smart looking blend of curvy black surfaces accented in electric blue. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is connected to a dashboard housing a futuristic digital speed readout, also in an attractive blue guise.

Lexus and the LF-A concept will draw punters from all corners of the show and with the Nissan GT-R, Toyota FT-HS concept as well as the possibility of an NSX replacement from Honda all present, the Japanese performance car market has seldom had it so good.

Kyle Molyneux - 15 Oct 2007