Lexus CT 200h coming to the US early 2011.
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It is now official. It will become the smallest and cheapest Lexus model in the US, where the main competition will pretty much be the Audi A3. And that’s about it…
The sporty five-door will be on display March 31 through April 11 at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. The new CT 200h debuted at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in early March and will join the HS 250h as Lexus’ second dedicated hybrid.
The CT 200h’s Lexus Hybrid Drive technology features two motor generators. Each performs specific functions and can operate as both a motor and generator. The engine-driven generator can charge the battery pack or provide additional power to the drive motor as needed. The drive motor is driven by electrical power from the hybrid battery pack or generator and provides motive force for the front wheels. The hybrid battery pack is located under the rear cargo area within the wheelbase for optimized balance.
The electric motor, generator and power split device are all housed in one highly compact casing the size of a conventional gearbox, with drive to the front wheels provided by Lexus Hybrid Drive’s quiet and smooth shift-by-wire, electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT).
The CT 200h will also be equipped with four drive-modes: Normal, Eco, Sport and EV. Normal mode has an essentially linear throttle response that gives naturally progressive power while the Power Control Unit (PCU) limits drive voltage to a maximum of 500 volts. The Eco mode adjusts air conditioning settings and the throttle for the best possible fuel economy. For an enhanced fun-to-drive experience, Sport mode, a first for the Lexus hybrid line-up, can be selected. Sport mode provides more direct Electric Power Steering (EPS) settings and throttle while the PCU boosts drive voltage to a maximum output of 650 volts. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) are less intrusive when Sport mode is selected, allowing for more lively driving. In EV mode, under certain circumstances, the vehicle can be driven up to one mile using only the electric motors.
The sporty premium compact hybrid will also feature an ECO driving indicator that illuminates when the vehicle is being operated in an environmentally sensitive manner.
A six-speaker Lexus Premium audio system with a CD player, auxiliary and USB inputs, integrated iPod® control, Bluetooth® audio wireless connectivity, and an integrated XM® Radio receiver will also be standard.
An optional moonroof will also be available. For added convenience the optional hard disc drive (HDD) Lexus Navigation system features a back-up camera, voice command casual language-based voice recognition system, Bluetooth phonebook download and Lexus’ exclusive Remote Touch controller with user-adjustable haptic feedback. Vehicles equipped with navigation will also have Lexus Enform™ with Safety Connect (includes complimentary one-year trial subscription), XM® Radio with NavTraffic, NavWeather, and Sports & Stocks. All XM services will include a complimentary 90-day trial subscription.”
I think smaller wheels would really set of the whole dumpy look they were going for even more…
Wow. A car that's uglier, slower, more expensive and will have more recalls than a Mazdaspeed 3, GTI, or next gen Focus. Can't wait. Those guys at Toyota are sure on a roll!
smallest,cheapest, and ugliest. Lexus has lost their way.
I would find it more palatable if the styling was more faithful to the concept.
UGH! Can you say Lexus Cimmaron? That's just gross! Even worse than the HSPrius or whatever they call that thing! Lexus=What Toyota wanted Scion to be!
Less car for more money. But I guess there are more stupid people in the world than smart ones–so this should be a big seller!
It's about time that AMC make a 4-door Gremlin!
"Less car for more money. But I guess there are more stupid people in the world than smart ones–so this should be a big seller!"
You're not in the latter category, so don't flatter yourself.
Japan is outsourcing its design to China I see!
and what the hell is the mpg on this souped up Matrix? isn't that the point of a hybrid?
TO: March 22, 2010 10:41 PM
I was talking about the car, not me. Try to stay focused.
don't see what the big deal is…
its just a tarted-up Matrix fitted with the Prius hybrid system —
bunch of poser idiots will for sure be lining up for their Corolla based, Lexus badged economy car…
"Wow. A car that's uglier, slower, more expensive and will have more recalls than a Mazdaspeed 3, GTI, or next gen Focus. Can't wait. Those guys at Toyota are sure on a roll!"
what's your point? you can get a v6 camry, accord, altima or whatever mainstream family car, and it will pretty much guaranteed to be more reliable and faster than a mercedes e350 or bmw 328, while costing tenth of thousands of dollars less. what you said described just about every luxury car brands out there
A $40K Lexus Matrix.
Lexus buyers are just not this infantile.
You fools who think this will cost 40K deserve to all drive a Tata Nano on American highways.
This will be in the low 30K range MAX. FULLY LOADED it should go no higher than 40K.
Ever seen what a fully loaded A3 goes for? Look it up, it's not exactly cheap.