Lexus has released the first official image of its new UX urban compact crossover, ahead of its world debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show on 6 March.

The UX’s bold styling bears a clear family resemblance to its larger SUV siblings, the NX and RX, combining heavily sculpted bodywork with a condensed look. It features muscular front wings and powerful haunches with a high beltline, but under the skin lies an all-new platform which endows the UX, says Lexus, with 'exceptional body rigidity and a low centre of gravity to deliver the agile handling of a hatchback'.

The cabin is focused on the driver’s cockpit, says Lexus, offering 'an inviting passenger space and a commanding view of the road', featuring high quality craftsmanship and the latest in-car technology.

The press conference for the UX - which will become the entry point to the Japanese luxury brand in a growing area of the market - will take place at 10am on 6 March on the Lexus stand in Hall 4 at Palexpo in Geneva.

It will be presented by the new Head of Lexus Europe, Pascal Ruch, and the UX Chief Engineer Chika Kako.