A Prius derivative for Lexus?

Something like this vehicle?

Insideline is reporting that Toyota is now considering a new upscale Prius for its Lexus brand as well as a new crossover hybrid. The two new Lexus hybrid vehicles are expected to debut at NAIAS 2009 along with the third generation Toyota Prius, which is expected to go on sale late Spring of 2009 - a few months after its NAIAS debut.

One of the Lexus hybrids might also use lithium-ion batteries, rather than the NiMH batteries currently powering Toyota/Lexus hybrids. Nice call KP. Using lithium in a limited production vehicle might be a great way to slowly test the reliability, particularly the safety, of lithium-ion batteries in automobiles.