The Lexus CT 200h is a hybrid electric automobile introduced by Lexus and is an entry-level luxury hatchback. It made its debut at the March 2010 Geneva Auto Show, six months after the unveiling of the LF-Ch concept car; it is primarily targeted at the European market but will be sold worldwide and was introduced to North American markets at the April 2010 New York International Auto Show. The Lexus CT 200h uses a front MacPherson strut suspension and a rear double wishbone design. Lexus had previously trademarked the names CT 200h, CT 300h, and CT 400h. CT 200h production began at the end of December 2010 with European sales following shortly after. US sales began in March 2011. The CT 200h is powered by the same 1.8 litre VVT-i four-cylinder petrol engine (Toyota's 2ZR-FXE) as used in the Auris and Prius, producing 73 kW and 142Nm of torque, paired with electric motor/generators in the hybrid drive system; together the engine and electric motors produce up to 100 kW and 207Nm of torque. Fuel consumption for the CT 200h is listed at 4.1 l/100 km in Australia. The CT 200h has several driving modes Normal, Sport, Eco and EV included on other hybrid drive vehicles. Sport mode modifies the throttle and electric power steering settings, while making the Stability control and traction control less intrusive, maximising the CT200h's performance. EV mode generates zero emissions at the vehicle by using only the vehicles electric motors to drive the vehicle. Safety features include vehicle stability control (VSC) and eight standard airbags with the options of a pre-collision system with dynamic radar cruise control at extra cost. The chassis is based on the Toyota MC platform, which is the same platform used by the Corolla and the Matrix.
2011 Lexus CT200h Review
The little hybrid hatchback needs an attractive price if Lexus has any hope of selling 1,000 CTs each month in U.S. The rumoured base price of $29,120 would be enough to get a very good traffic in Lexus dealerships. This pricing data was leaked a day ahead of its planned arrival. Lets assume that these prices are accurate, the 2011 CT 200h will be the least expensive new Lexus sold in America. The base price for the IS series and HS 250h hybrid sedan is several thousand dollars higher. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in its 2011 Hybrid Scorecard ranked the Lexus CT200h, together with the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, as the top luxury hybrid models in the scorecard’s environmental improvement category, an achievement the UCS attributed to their relatively small gasoline engines, as both carmakers downsized these vehicles’ engines from six to four cylinders to maximize fuel economy. The UCS evaluation found that the Lexus CT200h reduces greenhouse emissions by 42.9% as compared to the Lexus IS 250, used as its gasoline-only similar for this comparison.
Standard features on the CT 200h include SmartAccess with push-button Start/Stop and touch sensors on exterior front-door handles, leather steering wheel, a six-speaker, audio system with a CD player, and Bluetooth phone connectivity, iPod connectivity, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and dual zone automatic climate control. In Australia, the CT 200h is offered in "Prestige", "Luxury", "F Sport" and "Sport Luxury" specifications. The Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury variants add a reversing camera as standard, while the Sports Luxury gains active cruise control and the pre-collision safety system. F Sport models include all the features of the Sport Luxury model, plus sports bumpers, sports side skirts and a large rear spoiler. Interior features of the F Sport are an F Sport steering wheel, sports pedals, scuff plates, instrument panel and privacy glass. At the 2011 Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne (25–27 March 2011), the Lexus CT200h was used in the Celebrity Challenge, a one-make, one-off series event held as part of the Grand Prix's weekend attractions. The event, supported by CAMS and sponsored by Lexus Australia, was promoted as the world's first race containing only petrol-electric vehicles. In the United Kingdom, Australian pop superstar Kylie Minogue was invited to be the spokesperson for the new CT200. She has recorded a TV advertisement and the press release of the car will feature Minogue. In the United Kingdom, the CT200 will be one of the sponsors of Minogue's latest concert tour, Aphrodite World Tour.The estimated US EPA fuel economy is 43 miles per US gallon (5.5 L/100 km; 52 mpg-imp) in the city and 40 miles per US gallon (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg-imp) on the highway, while utilising regular 87-octane fuel. Canadian fuel consumption ratings are 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres (63 mpg-imp; 52 mpg-US) city, 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres (59 mpg-imp; 49 mpg-US) highway, and 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres (61 mpg-imp; 51 mpg-US) combined.
