Friday 26th February 2010

Official Pics: Lexus CT 200h Hybrid Hatch

Lexus takes the wraps off its 1-series rival

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Lexus has released these images of its new CT 200h hatchback ahead of the car's official debut at the Geneva motor show next week.

The BMW 1-series-rivalling CT 200h is, says Lexus, the first full hybrid in the premium hatch segment. It is also apparently Lexus's first five-door compact hatch (presumably Lexus isn't counting the five-door IS 300 Sportcross estate thingy from a few years back).

Visually the CT 200h owes much to the LF-Ch concept from last September's Frankfurt show, albeit in a more toned-down, less swoopy and more realistically-wheeled form.

Beneath the bodywork, the CT 200h is powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine allied with an electric motor, both of which drive the front wheels only. Transmission is via an electronic CVT 'box. Lexus isn't talking about performance or power figures, but expect it to be on par with a BMW 120d dynamically.

The chassis is an all-new platform and is suspended by MacPherson struts at the front and a double wishbone arrangement at the rear.

Inside there's a typically technical (if not slightly cold) cabin, the highlight of which is Lexus's iDrive-style 'remote touch' controller.

Prices haven't yet been announced, but the CT 200h is due to hit UK showrooms later this year.

[forzaminardi]

Looks really heavy and boring.

I can't see how the people responsible for the IS-F and that mentalist super-coupe thing can come up with such run-of-the-mill dross.

OK, it doesn't have to be exciting or an amazing drive for the market, but surely they could make it look slightly distinctive?

[c0ldpl4ya]

Think it looks a bit bland tbh. The wheels look tiny at the back no?

[BUG4LIFE]

Lexus had a chance to create something really funky [for want of a better word], but it's just turned out bland as hell, the back end is far to heavy and fat looking. Grrrrr!!!!

[Frimley111R]

[quote=forzaminardi]I can't see how the people responsible for the IS-F and that mentalist super-coupe thing can come up with such run-of-the-mill dross.
[quote]

Lexus = Toyota and look what mind numbingly dull stuff they produce.

[Gun]

How disappointing and WTF is with that huge mouse-type thing on the centre console?

[mister.t]

Looks like it's piled on the pounds at the rear!

Shame, could have looked fantastic

[Beefmeister]

Oh come on Lexus, try harder.

From this:



to this?!?!



Unbelievably forgettable, bland motoring.

[Digsy]

Wow, that even makes the latest Impreza look good.

[Gizmo!]

FWD? The idiots. Surely the point of Lexus is that it's Toyota's "BMW/Audi" brand, and therefore driving dynamics matter?

FWD makes it a Golf rather than a 1-series rival IMO.

Not that MO counts for owt.

[tim200sx]

article said:

It is also apparently Lexus's first five-door compact hatch (presumably Lexus isn't counting the five-door IS 300 Sportcross estate thingy from a few years back).

err, maybe because a) the IS300 was 3-series sized not "compact" size, and b) it was supposed to be a "lifestyle" estate not a hatch...

This car is a major disappointment, the concept looked brilliant, and I thought it was suppose to be rwd too? Oh well, nothing to see here!

[Neil G60]

Looks like a new Impreza i.e. somewhat dull

[Lytham Stag]

Neil G60 said:

Looks like a new Impreza i.e. somewhat dull

My first thought.

[russy01]

Boooooooooooooring...........

[Essex Exile]

If you'd said this was the New Hyundai i40, I'd have believed you.
A very dull looking car

[ptopman]

Neither this, nor does the Impreza look dull or bland.

They are both offensively ugly. I suppose when Lexus was benchmarking against the 1 series, they figured the butt-ugly was a necessary feature to crack that market.

Edited by ptopman on Friday 26th February 13:31

[Matt_]

Always knew it wouldn't be as striking as the concept but still didn't expect it to be as bland as it is

[Smartass]

Beefmeister said:

Oh come on Lexus, try harder.

From this:



to this?!?!



Unbelievably forgettable, bland motoring.

The production car looks like Lada's interpretation the concept. I actually quite like Lexus but that thing is hideous.

[fildigger]

I like Lexus, i have had a number of them and they are sublime in many ways but i agree with most posters comments!

Come on Lexus, get some flair in your design dept' (get some Italian or French guys in that department if you aint got the balls to push the envelope!)

[300bhp/ton]

Wow, it looks like a dull Toyota.

[djt100]

Looks like a Mazda 3 ...