At the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, Lexus introduced us to the CT 200h. Production has been announced, and the new sporty luxury hybrid should be available later this year or early next year, although a specific production date has yet to be announced. The CT 200h is an odd choice for a company known for smooth, comfortable rides and no-fuss driving experiences. Read on for more details and the usual high-resolution pictures.
Its new hybrid is supposed to combine parent company Toyota’s hybrid drivetrain with Lexus’s build quality, with a healthy dose of “sporty” mixed in. While the power is far below that of the IS 350 or IS F, special suspension parts have been designed to give drivers more of an ES 350 experience, in a smaller and far more fuel efficient package.
In true Lexus fashion, all the latest safety features are included or optional, from traction control to regenerative brakes (which recharge the on-board batteries when the car’s brakes are being used) to dynamic vehicle control and a plethora of airbags.
With a combined EPA estimated 42 mpg, expect Toyota Prius fuel consumption, but in a much nicer package. This new car, while seemingly pitted against the same-sized but much cheaper Honda CRZ, looks to me like it will cannibalize sales of the new-for-2010 HS 250h, as they look to be very similar, at least on paper. Size is the big difference here, as Lexus is listing the 200h as a “premium compact.”
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but when Lexus releases a production date, prices should be included, so look for more updates as this car gets closer to coming to market.
by John Suit
Source: Lexus