[DASHOCKER]

Here is Lexus's answer to the 1 series.... Introducing the Lexus CT200H..

Lexus showed the LF-Ch concept at last fall’s Frankfurt motor show, and now the company is showing the production version, the CT200h. The model is making its world debut at the 2010 Geneva auto show.

The ‘h’ in CT200h, of course, stands for ‘hybrid.’ There will be no gasoline-only version of the car; it will only be available with a gasoline-electric system, mating up a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a "powerful" electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. A continuously variable transmission shunts the power to the front wheels.

The individual outputs of the electric and gas portions as well as the combined system output remain unspecified, but the presence of the 1.8-liter has us a bit worried. That's the size of the four-cylinder in the Prius, which makes 98 hp and contributes to a total system output of 134 hp. The CT200h is going to have to produce more ponies than that in order to deliver the promised "dynamic driving experience," as well as provide a credible challenge to the CT's competition, including the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series. So we hope for something at least near the 187 hp churned out by the North American HS250h sedan, in which a 147-hp, 2.4-liter engine is mated with a 105-kW (141-hp) electric motor.

Lexus says the CT200h was "designed with the European market in mind," a statement backed up by the five-door layout. There are four driver-selectable driving modes available in the CT200h: Normal, Eco, EV, and Sport. In Normal mode, the car can operate on battery-only power up to speeds of up to 28 mph, while EV mode forces the car to rely only on battery power for distances of up an absolutely unfathomable 1.2 miles. Switching the car to Eco dulls throttle response and optimizes the climate-control system to save more fuel, while Sport mode tightens up the steering, ups throttle aggressiveness, and lowers the stability-control threshold.

The interior is lined with the usual leather upholstery and metallic accents, and an eight-inch LCD screen will display infotainment functions. Lexus's computer-mouse-style Remote Touch controller lives on the center console. The CT is 170.1 inches long, 69.5 inches wide, and 56.3 inches tall, and there are 102.4 inches between the wheels. For comparison, a Prius is 5.5 inches longer, 0.8 inch narrower, and 2.4 inches taller, while riding on a 3.9-inch longer wheelbase.

Lexus is touting the CT200h as the “first full hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment,” but that statement only applies to Europe, which doesn’t get the HS250h or its Toyota Sai sibling. The CT200h goes on sale this fall throughout the world, although there's no confirmation yet that the U.S. will be among the included markets.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car...rid-auto_shows

[footie]

It will probably be a great little hatch but it's unexciting, dare I say boring to look at.

[hks786]

Nahhhhh. Nice interior, better than 1 series. Car looks heavy though, and design isnt better than 1er or A3.

[Feyd]

Looks like a pinched off turd.

[SantaPimp27]

horrible

[immiketoo]

It looks like they took one feature off of every car in its class, put them all in a bag shook it up and manufactured it just how the pieces fell.

[TSM330i]

Since when is Lexus sell a Mazda 3?

It's like every Lexus that's tested - perfectly BORING to drive.
They have have "good" quality, but you'll NEVER see a Lexus win a comparison test.

Lexus = BMW for women

[dirtyylicous]

Love the interior and the front end, thats about it

[smmmurf]

I'd rather have a Prius.

[Ender514]

the front looks terrible

[s4mula]

Watch out 1 series here comes another car that is going to clutter the left lane going 5 under.

[Memphis1]

i don't know why anybody pays a premium for lexus, infiniti or acura. they're rebadged toyotas, nissans and hondas.

japanese don't even buy them in japan.

[BlackLemon]

OMG thats so gay. Lexus has terrible cars

[Garduna]

Originally Posted by Feyd

Looks like a pinched off turd.

no kidding >_> blah, so bland

[DougLikesBMW]

Lol, Lexus sucks.

[Bluechipper]

Looks like crap.

[Boost Gomez]

Make it a shitty answer to the 1-series at that.

A3 >>>>>>>>>>>>> whatever this is..

[boymonkey]

1-series and A3 have hybrids? I don't see the comparison.

[gonzo]

These hybrids are nothing but money makers for the manufactures and sheep food for certain consumers.

Where are it's fuel ratings?

Look at the new Benz E class hybrid. What, 3 mpg better and a $7000 premium over the standard? psssfffttt.


This all day over that. Hybrid shmybrid.

[DASHOCKER]

This car should be made in coupe form if it ever comes stateside. The hatch back version looks like a grafted Lexus RX & IS.

[flyinb501]

Lame...