Lexus CT 200h leaked ahead of Geneva Motor Show

By Tim Beissmann | February 24th, 2010

The Lexus CT 200h has today joined the growing list of new vehicles bound for next week’s Geneva Motor Show to be leaked to the press ahead of its official debut.

The leaked brochure reveals images and basic specifications of the five-door hybrid, but stops short of announcing power figures, fuel efficiency and CO2 performance of the 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine/magnet synchronous electric motor combination.

Batteries will be the nickel-metal hydride variety and power is fed to the front wheels via an E-CVT (electronically controlled continuously variable transmission).

Visually, the CT 200h has been tamed down significantly from the LF-Ch concept shown in Frankfurt in September, but still maintains a sleek, aggressive look thanks to its pointed, sweeping headlights, low road-hugging stance and sporty 17in alloys.

Despite sharing similar dimensions with the Toyota Prius (length 4320mm, width 1765mm, height 1430mm – 140mm shorter, 20mm thinner, 50mm lower than the Prius), Lexus says the CT 200h will confirm that hybrids can be engaging and enjoyable, as well as efficient, vehicles to own and drive.

Able to be driven in full electric mode, drivers can also elect between Eco, Normal and Sport modes to suit their mood and preference.

Stay tuned as CarAdvice reveals the full details of the Lexus CT 200h from the Geneva Motor Show from March 2.

D

The rear tail-lights look very much like a Mazda3 hatch
lazybones

Looks better than the Prius, but nothing new technology wise. Toyota seems very slow to offer a volt beating serial hybrid system.

S

The Toyota Hybrid system has been out for 10 years and only Honda have offered an option (which is not a full hybrid). Anyway, the Volt system is a bit of an unknown and bound to be quite expensive. Not to mention it is not available yet.

neutral

Front wheel drive?!

Demir au Lovre

What’s wrong with that? Have you driven a rear-wheel drive in the snow?

dan

How often do you do that in Australia??
Ever tried to pull a boat up a boat ramp with a fwd?

ChineseDriver

Why does this matter anyways, how many RWD small cars are there in the market except of bmw 1 series.

Mr.29cm

Looks corolla-ish to me.
Josh

Looks more camry at the front and mazda at the back
ChineseDriver

If this is priced well, I think it will gain very very good sales.

Compare with competitors like Mercedes B class, BMW 1 series and Audi A3, I feel this is far more attractive than any one of them (consider the level of equipments from Lexus, and also the reliability and cheaper maintaining cost).
Altezza

Looks good to me. The front end screams Lexus IS. It’s little bigger than Toyota Corolla hatch.
Baddass

Looks nice, but that C-pillar is a little crazy. Definitely looks like a Lexus.
Shak

Pretty good effort for Lexus’ first foray into the premium compact market.
Jake02

I think it’s bloody awful, and would much prefer an A3 and the like. It’s too complicated in design, so many un-similar lines. I also want a manual thanks…
Golfschwein

Quite hideous. The C pillar’s an epic failure. Some designers need to learn when to lift the crayons.

Golfschwein

Actually, the C pillar’s quite lovely in a cack-handed, unknowing sort of way.

http://caradvice Onepoppa

Given that the Auris (Corolla)Hybrid has just gone into production in the UK this looks like a Lexus version of that car – that is a Lexus to meet European size and taste, using the Corolla hybrid floor pan and drivetrain. Dare one suggest badge engineering?
Valet Dabess

mazda 3 looks better, even with the stupid smile
dan

Looks like a dated BF Falcon front.
Aleks

I wonder how long it will take, before it runs away and tries to kill you
Andrew Juma

This seems to be a Corolla in drag. Not what I had hoped for at all.