2010 Lexus CT 200h officially unveiled

By George Skentzos | February 26th, 2010

Following a leak earlier this week, Lexus has released the first official images and details of its first premium compact model, the Lexus CT 200h.

The first of its kind, the Lexus CT 200h is the world’s only full hybrid compact vehicle to be launched in the premium segment, with the aim to entice new, younger customers to the brand.

It uses a Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain comprising a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine combined with an electric motor with power transferred to the front wheels via a ECVT intelligent electronic continuously variable transmission.

The driver can select between ECO, NORMAL and SPORT driving modes with the latter focusing on more dynamic performance.

An EV (electric vehicle) mode is also available which allows the Lexus CT 200h to travel for up to two kilometres at speeds below 45km/h on electric power alone – ideal for heavy traffic.

While official figures are yet to be released, Lexus anticipates its CT 200h will boast class-leading CO2 emissions and NOx emissions than equivalent diesel engines with almost no particulates.

The design of the Lexus CT 200h retains strong links to the LF-Ch concept on which it is based, styled for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and minimum wind noise.

Lexus has kept the asymmetrical interior design seen in the concept, split into an upper Display Zone, with an eight-inch LCD multi-display screen; and a lower Operation Zone, with the shift lever and other controls such as Lexus’s Remote Touch multi-function controller.

Edd

Nice….

This will be my next car
ABMPSV

I hope price will be less than $40,000!!!
http://caradvice Onepoppa

I can’t see this car coming to Australia – unless they want to also import the Corolla Hybrid, which is mechanically the same car – not only power train, but floor pan and basic body structure. Then again maybe they will, and charge $40K+ for it!
UMWAHT

are you guys forgetting we live in australia? expect a 90k price hike

James Cortez

We live in a “socialist” country and from what we have earned, the government still imposes tax. I save what I earned and still wanting to enjoy my hard earned cash, I am forced to pay tax if I want to buy “enjoyable to drive” cars. S..k!

Valet Dabess

inside is nice, can’t say the same for the outside

Baddass

I agree, the interior is surprisingly good.

ChineseDriver

Interior is so nice, in my opinion it puts A3, B class and 1 series in shame.

The Exterior is okay too, I like it!
HJP

I will consider one if this baby Lexus priced under $50,000. I think Lexus has done well in both exterior and interior.
Adam

The interior reminds me of the BMW family interior.

Baji

I agree with you there Adam. The first thing that came to my mind when i looked at that interior was BMW as well. But this is a good thing, as I think the BMW interiors look pretty good. A much better effort than in the Prius and other Lexus hybrid offerings. The only thing i don’t really like about the interior is that they didn’t somehow incorporate the screen into the dash like BMW does, but instead have it as a pop out module.

Exterior wise, I like it. Its not over the top, yet it still looks fresh and different from other hatchbacks. I would be happy to own one of these if i had the money.

EconeticFan

Elsewhere say the production run is limited to 500 units. What was Toyota thinking?

EconeticFan

Okay, this is all based from “leaked” information, so who knows what is real.

Newbie

I’m all for Toyota- but I must admit that front bar is getting annoying now , the new gen. Prius has those angles and foglights, as does the Camry hybrid –

I’m finding it a little hard to like the front end with lights almost similar to an Ls460 – rear lights look too close to the the Aurion ones (the recently released edition which has the prominent box like light reflection) –

In the Is2xx series the rear quarter window is ok, but still don’t see why it can’t be flat instead of the angled window..in this one its there too.

While the climate controls look nice and compact – I think the dash area where the audio is, could’ve been utilized better –

I’m all for Lexus and Toyota – don’t get me wrong, but I can’t seem to go wow looking at this model hmmm
ToyotaFactorySabbotager

Id would love to Sabbotage a Toyota Hybrid Factory.
Shak

I like the interior, but it looks like a BMW interior on top, dont ya reckon?
HyundaiSmoke

Why does the gauge cluster look cheaper than Hyundai’s new products? Stunts like that from Lexus make it so much easier for companies like VW and Hyundai to grow into bonifide Luxury Brands.

Patrick

Have you seen BWM gauge cluster? it looks even cheaper.

HyundaiSmoke

No Really those Gauges remind me of my 98 Accent. My 07 Accent has more advanced Gauges than this thing.

nick

Mate how are we supposed to value your opinion when you drove a 98 accent…

HyundaiSmoke

That car was the first cornerstone that got Hyundai to the Car Mansion it is today, Mate. That car will be the new MINI this upcoming cycle, buddy.

HyundaiSmoke, CEO
-AccentPlanet dot Org
Because Korean Small Cars Rule

nick

That doesn’t change the fact that you drove a 98 Accent, a car that people bought for the sole reason that it was cheap.

fxh555

Are you suggesting Lexus should have sought advice from Hyundai on how to build a premium hybrid hatch (including an advanced instrumentation cluster)?

HyundaiSmoke

No, Im just saying for a brand like Lexus, they need to take things up a few notches on those gauges.

The American and German Luxury Brands slept on these guys, and that’s how they came into prominence and superiority. It seems like These guys are sleeping on hungry guys from below like Hyundai, Buick/Opel, and VW/Skoda. Its like they want us to easily become First Tier luxury brands. Without a real challenge. Challenges make companies their best

Cadillacs and Merc have the best Gauges out of the mss market luxury brands.

HyundaiSmoke

Why cant Lexus spice those gauges up like those guys? They have been making Lexus look like a Chinese Luxury brand lately. Merc is a company that fell from its halo, and now is Fiercely Fighting back. Cadillac is now proving that it can mae BMW 3, 5, 6, 7 Series and in some variants actually do it better than BMW.

Lexus has an average age older than Buick in the US now, they need to attract younger professinals. However, Younger professionals are going to gravitate to Jettas and Elantras with a layout like that. You’ll see overtime. Australia is a few years behind us in economic and consumer trends.

You will get your Great Recession Too, Soon Enough!! So stop actng like you’re Immune.

HyundaiSmoke

Not only that, but Jag is fighting back harder. This month its the first Month in years Jaguar/Land Rover US had positive growth.

I have written Jag of for Dead, but now, look at these guys, wow!!!!!

If Toyota is becoming the old Chevy, then Lexus must be starting turn into the Old Cadillac.

Those Old Ladies in Ft Lauderdale dont drive Cadillacs anymore Top Gear. They drive Lexuses now. I see it everyday all over America.

Case in point= Rhonda Smith!!
fxh555

HS – I just disagree that the instrumentation cluster looks cheap (simple, yes) when taken into context of the whole interior. If Hyundai is able to match or better the quality levels reached by Lexus, then that can only be a good thing for all consumers. I can’t comment on the prospects of Aus falling into a recession as you predict.

HyundaiSmoke

fx, I think its too simple for a car that’s supposed to be an M3/A3 competitor. Its an all around Toyota Motor Company problem. I think they need to just start from scratch all over again on the Interior design dept. I think they shouldnt sell anymore new cars, until they do something about that interior or they will get killed out there, especially in the now more competitive American Marketplace where the room for growth is over, and companies are going to have to steal customers from others to gain sales.

Genesis for Example Sells more a month now than its Lexus Competitor, some the Buicks sell more than comparable Lexuses (They spank Lexus in quite a few models now on monthly sales). Hyundai is serious about its upmarket offensive, and with these Lex interiors its not the time for them to rest on their laurels.

VW has the most premium interiors in that Wanna Be Luxury Company class. So much so, they are confident enough to gun after Lexus now too.

HyundaiSmoke

The hungry companies smell blood and weakness from ToyMoCo. Like I said before, some US Journalists have said 2011 Sonata eats Lexus ES350s lunch. They came in there expectng a CamCord out of the Sonata, but got a Lexus quality interior instead.
fxh555

Fair comment regarding certain companies stealing share from other companies in saturated markets – it’s probably the case particularly in the US. I don’t believe, however, Hyundai offer a direct competitor to the CT200h so at this stage can’t compete with Lexus. This may be enough for the target consumer to still buy a Lexus in spite it’s instrumentation? At least I had a chuckle with your description of the wanna-be class.
nick

I’m assuming that when you said that this car is supposed to be an A3/M3 competitor you meant 1 series. This Lexus, extremely important gauges aside, has a far better interior than both of those cars IMO.
HyundaiSmoke

Im not doubting the “premiumness” of that interor by any stretch of the imagination. Its the ergonomics, its poor. I dont know about you guys, but I woulnt feel home in there? That’s what I meant about these new ToyMoCo interiors, they weird me out. It looks cheaper than it is. I know its not cheap at all in that car, but the layout is just poor. Its like a Hyundai used to be.

Interior dept at ToyMoCo is asleep, and Interiors are finally one of the main reasons why people buy a car in the states again. VW AG interiors are always sparkling, the newest Hyundai interiors are being benchmarked to meet or exceed VW AG products. FoMoCo is doing ok with the interiors, but I think there’s still too much staleness. GM has the ergonomics together, and its burning the midnight oil in that interior dept.

Im just saying its a competitive horserace now. You have to play your A+++++++++ Game now. C game today= FAIL.

http://www.AUSmotive.com Liam

This car is supposed to compete with the Euros and it has the charisma of a rain sodden cardigan. Could they have turned the LF-Ch concept into something any more bland than this?!
http://Caradvice onepoppa

I think that whilst Hyundai Smoke’s comments are interesting they are from a US viewpoint, where Lexus is a volume prestige make – probably larger in sales volumes than the Germans, who don’t offer Americans most of the four cylinder models that are their mainstay in Australia.

The 400 Lexus are a rarity here – it is all German makes. Their biggest model here would seem to be the 4WD. Unless the CT200H can sell for a small premium over a upper Golf and undercut the BMW One series they won’t be seen here.

HyundaiSmoke

The American Lexus owner buys them for power. Its become a Chick car, a middle aged chick car here for American women in their mid life crises.

Lexus sales are slipping here, Buick is giving these guys a run for their Money as of late. Audi is the #1 Luxury Brand in American sales now. Just 5 years ago that was unthinkable (I would have got laughed at for saying such a thing), and it was Lexus at the top.

They have some very serious problems to fix in this country, and with interiors like this poorly ergonomically designed masterpiece; that’s not the way to do it.

HyundaiSmoke

On top of that you have these groing wannabe luxury companies like Hyundai and VW (Who regularly steal sales from weak Quasi Lxury makes like Chrysler and Mercury)chomping at the bits.

Andrew Juma

They finally did it – a Lexus version of the Corolla.
Jinsei

What a great looking car! The interior to me is ground breaking. It looks way better than the 1 series or A-class and the same hopefully holds for performance.

I recently haven’t seen a car as good-looking and upscale as this. It is still a small car but has all the luxury touch in it. Lexus traditionally have been rather unpopular in Australia but this one seems highly likely to bring a turnaround.