New Lexus Hybrid: CT 200h (42 MPG) Updated with F-sport Debut
02-23-10, 09:00 PM
#316
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Since the HS 250h only has one engine available, I have a hard time thinking that Lexus will create a CT 400h...and to be honest a CT 300h would surprise me. They will have to differentiate these two models somehow, and I am betting that engine size will be a key factor. For those of you holding our for one based on trademark filings, please remember that Lexus trademarked LX 550, LX 570, and LX 600, and we obviously only got one model. The same thing has happened in other instances, so I wouldn't hold my breath.
Also, why are they still using Nickel Metal Hydride batteries? I thought Lithium Ion was supposed be viable...oh...pretty much now. Some manufacturers are already using it.
The more I consider the logistics of this car the less I like it. Matrix platform, Prius drivetrain, uninspiring exterior design...where is the ground-breaking, dramatic car we were promised?
This is like HS deja vu all over again: Lexus just hand picked smaller cars from the Toyota stable, applied the same shuffling of platforms and engines, and came up with a new name.
I'm sick of being let down by this company lately. The LFA has been the only exciting thing in the last few years, and I am really, really concerned about the next GS.
In terms of design...
CT - fail
HS - fail
RX - fail
GX - fail
ISc - fail
LFA - full of MF'ing win
The odds aren't looking good.
Also, why are they still using Nickel Metal Hydride batteries? I thought Lithium Ion was supposed be viable...oh...pretty much now. Some manufacturers are already using it.
The more I consider the logistics of this car the less I like it. Matrix platform, Prius drivetrain, uninspiring exterior design...where is the ground-breaking, dramatic car we were promised?
This is like HS deja vu all over again: Lexus just hand picked smaller cars from the Toyota stable, applied the same shuffling of platforms and engines, and came up with a new name.
I'm sick of being let down by this company lately. The LFA has been the only exciting thing in the last few years, and I am really, really concerned about the next GS.
In terms of design...
CT - fail
HS - fail
RX - fail
GX - fail
ISc - fail
LFA - full of MF'ing win
The odds aren't looking good.
Design is subjective, we don't need to beat that dead horse of an argument. Odds aren't looking good in your opinion, but in my opinion the next GS could be a nice design.
Not to derail this thread but I have seen my fair share of GXs lately and I'm just disgusted with the design. The old truck was rugged and handsome looking with some charm and the new one...just ugh. They stripped every bit of body cladding and definition off the flanks, smoothed out fender flares, and instead went for this ultra "clean, smooth" look. The end result looks like a Highlander from the side and a 4Runner from the rear. There's just nothing about it that I even remotely like. A coworker of mine just got one and I drove past it the other morning and thought in the back of my head, "Oh... nice, clean 4Runner". When I went to leave I was facing the back, saw the emblem and thought, "Oh crap that's a GX."
As for the RX, as said above, it just looks swollen to me. The rounded, jelly bean thing and hamster cheeks just aren't my cup of tea. I have to admit that I like the 450h a lot- maybe the 19" wheels help make it look more proportionate in my mind or something. I just feel like the old RX looked a little smoother and more lithe- less fat.
By all indications, I think that L-Finesse looked promising in the beginning but has been downhill ever since the LS. Almost every redesigned car is simply way too plain looking or flat awkward. Somehow the IS, GS, ES and LS all made it out of the studio relatively well and still look wonderful IMO- restrained, elegant, upscale, good proportions and awesome detailing. The HS with its tacky aero add-ons, tall and awkward stance, and lumpy profile looks decidedly downmarket. This CT, judging by the pictures, has suffered the same bland and boring fate as many others.
I just hope some revolution of LFinesse is around the corner, but each redesign keeps telling me different.
As for the RX, as said above, it just looks swollen to me. The rounded, jelly bean thing and hamster cheeks just aren't my cup of tea. I have to admit that I like the 450h a lot- maybe the 19" wheels help make it look more proportionate in my mind or something. I just feel like the old RX looked a little smoother and more lithe- less fat.
By all indications, I think that L-Finesse looked promising in the beginning but has been downhill ever since the LS. Almost every redesigned car is simply way too plain looking or flat awkward. Somehow the IS, GS, ES and LS all made it out of the studio relatively well and still look wonderful IMO- restrained, elegant, upscale, good proportions and awesome detailing. The HS with its tacky aero add-ons, tall and awkward stance, and lumpy profile looks decidedly downmarket. This CT, judging by the pictures, has suffered the same bland and boring fate as many others.
I just hope some revolution of LFinesse is around the corner, but each redesign keeps telling me different.
I see this as a case of the cup being half empty compared to half full.
I can strongly argue the CT is just as elegant, upscale, and has nice proportions as the Lexus sedans (excluding HS).
The only real point you have is the HS, as objectively speaking it is fairly tall and narrow, along with a high hood.
Judging by your comments, it seems you don't have a full grasp of the CT's actual dimensions. The CT is quite low, wide, and has very pronounced shoulders which makes it far from bland and boring.
Speaking of the interior...
Anyone notice the resemblance? The silver tri spoke design is incorporated to the CT's wheel as well as the airbag unit. Button placement for the volume controls and etc are within a thumb's reach. Notice the steering wheel diameter and the wheel thickness? Looks very promising. It looks a lot better than my ISF's steering wheel that's for sure!
(quoted from the HS thread in the Prototypes forum)
Anyone notice the resemblance? The silver tri spoke design is incorporated to the CT's wheel as well as the airbag unit. Button placement for the volume controls and etc are within a thumb's reach. Notice the steering wheel diameter and the wheel thickness? Looks very promising. It looks a lot better than my ISF's steering wheel that's for sure!
(quoted from the HS thread in the Prototypes forum)
There is also the gauge cluster lighting changing to red in sport mode, and the power meter switching to a tach. That is another LFA influence, with customizable and moving gauges and meters in the cluster.
I'm expecting the CT to have a few other surprises we don't know of yet.
Also not much has been said about the CT's front seats; they look quite nice and sporty.
I also think the rear tail lights are wonderful, and have that trademark Lexus jewel-like look to them with awesome detailing.
I really can't wait to see the next-gen GS and IS, and how they incorporate LFA cues and technology.
they did a decent job in translation.
the concept had bigger wheel wells and wheels, so it looked more sporty
it also had a more swoopy rear door glass.
production version has a bigger back glass which eats into the door glass.
I wonder if the concept version had bad rear side visibility...
the concept had bigger wheel wells and wheels, so it looked more sporty
it also had a more swoopy rear door glass.
production version has a bigger back glass which eats into the door glass.
I wonder if the concept version had bad rear side visibility...
.Proof that the production car is quite close to the concept, and that the front overhang is not that long.
02-23-10, 09:01 PM
#317
There are so many options that I would pick over this production version. If it was the concept "yellow" version, it would have been bumped up to top choices.
Not digging the new wave of Lexus design pattern. Beginning of L finesse was doing good, anything 2010+ is ugly =/
Not digging the new wave of Lexus design pattern. Beginning of L finesse was doing good, anything 2010+ is ugly =/
02-23-10, 09:37 PM
#319
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As for the RX, as said above, it just looks swollen to me. The rounded, jelly bean thing and hamster cheeks just aren't my cup of tea. I have to admit that I like the 450h a lot- maybe the 19" wheels help make it look more proportionate in my mind or something. I just feel like the old RX looked a little smoother and more lithe- less fat.
By all indications, I think that L-Finesse looked promising in the beginning but has been downhill ever since the LS. Almost every redesigned car is simply way too plain looking or flat awkward. Somehow the IS, GS, ES and LS all made it out of the studio relatively well and still look wonderful IMO- restrained, elegant, upscale, good proportions and awesome detailing. The HS with its tacky aero add-ons, tall and awkward stance, and lumpy profile looks decidedly downmarket. This CT, judging by the pictures, has suffered the same bland and boring fate as many others.
I just hope some revolution of LFinesse is around the corner, but each redesign keeps telling me different
I just hope some revolution of LFinesse is around the corner, but each redesign keeps telling me different
As for next gen cars. I do like the styling of the HS, I don't mind ISc, I like the grille updates of the GSh and LS600, LSsport works for me so much more than standard LS460, and I am really digging this CT..I can't stop looking at the pics of the interior design....really well done design IMO
02-23-10, 09:42 PM
#321
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I would almost take a Matrix over this, outside of the much better interior on the Lexus. To me the wheels look to small, ala Prius, and dislike how the passenger door window is so much smaller than the actual door, extending the cut line a good deal behind. From the side it's a FX + IS.
02-23-10, 09:54 PM
#322
Lexus Connoisseur
I would almost take a Matrix over this, outside of the much better interior on the Lexus. To me the wheels look to small, ala Prius, and dislike how the passenger door window is so much smaller than the actual door, extending the cut line a good deal behind. From the side it's a FX + IS.
The CT is a hybrid. The Matrix is not. The CT is a Lexus and the Matrix is a Toyota. Apples and oranges.
02-23-10, 10:20 PM
#323
Speaks French in Russian
Even though the pics are blurry, the design is lukewarm... at best. The general shape etc is there, but it pretty much lost all character going to production form. Crazy how 17in wheels on this tiny *** car look like 14's. I actually thought that the CT would be the first Lexus outside of the LFA with great (better would even be acceptable) wheel fitment. What also is missing is the slightly flared fenders from the concept which helped with that aggressive stance. The hoffmeister kink is atrocious and it single handedly ruins the design from the side. It pushes the window to far forward making the car look short and stubby. They also did a pretty crappy job adding round foglights to a vertical opening. Whats sad is the fact that I expected Lexus to completely fudge that minor detail. 
Inside, as others have posted, immediately reminded me of the 1-series. And just like the 1-series, there is to much stark black plastic with strips of painted silver. While I find the layout to be very nice, it needs some detail work. ANd I also think the tach is a cool feature, but doubt it will be as advanced as the LFA's. Im sure one ring lights up while the other is not and vice versa.
With all that said, even though Lexus let me down (yet again), I'd still take this over that piece of crap HS.
Inside, as others have posted, immediately reminded me of the 1-series. And just like the 1-series, there is to much stark black plastic with strips of painted silver. While I find the layout to be very nice, it needs some detail work. ANd I also think the tach is a cool feature, but doubt it will be as advanced as the LFA's. Im sure one ring lights up while the other is not and vice versa.
With all that said, even though Lexus let me down (yet again), I'd still take this over that piece of crap HS.
02-23-10, 10:25 PM
#324
Speaks French in Russian
Those vehicles are pretty damn forgettable (Some of them I wish I could forget) and ho-hum. Oh well.
Last edited by GFerg; 02-23-10 at 10:51 PM.
02-24-10, 08:27 AM
#326
I see this as a case of the cup being half empty compared to half full.
Judging by your comments, it seems you don't have a full grasp of the CT's actual dimensions. The CT is quite low, wide, and has very pronounced shoulders which makes it far from bland and boring.
Lexus could have simply done more with this car. The essential formula of a hot hybrid hatch had people all over the internet abuzz and they came up with something that, IMO, looks very bland and generic. If Lexus was ever going to push the envelope they should have done it in a car like this considering the targeted age group and the very type of vehicle that it is. A more dynamic, dramatic design is often more acceptable on a hatch than it is on a full size luxury sedan. They should have opened up a little and done something dramatic, but what we got is really anything but. That is my point.
Last edited by MPLexus301; 02-24-10 at 08:32 AM.
02-24-10, 08:34 AM
#327
Even though the pics are blurry, the design is lukewarm... at best. The general shape etc is there, but it pretty much lost all character going to production form. Crazy how 17in wheels on this tiny *** car look like 14's. I actually thought that the CT would be the first Lexus outside of the LFA with great (better would even be acceptable) wheel fitment. What also is missing is the slightly flared fenders from the concept which helped with that aggressive stance. The hoffmeister kink is atrocious and it single handedly ruins the design from the side. It pushes the window to far forward making the car look short and stubby. They also did a pretty crappy job adding round foglights to a vertical opening. Whats sad is the fact that I expected Lexus to completely fudge that minor detail.
Inside, as others have posted, immediately reminded me of the 1-series. And just like the 1-series, there is to much stark black plastic with strips of painted silver. While I find the layout to be very nice, it needs some detail work. ANd I also think the tach is a cool feature, but doubt it will be as advanced as the LFA's. Im sure one ring lights up while the other is not and vice versa.
With all that said, even though Lexus let me down (yet again), I'd still take this over that piece of crap HS.
Inside, as others have posted, immediately reminded me of the 1-series. And just like the 1-series, there is to much stark black plastic with strips of painted silver. While I find the layout to be very nice, it needs some detail work. ANd I also think the tach is a cool feature, but doubt it will be as advanced as the LFA's. Im sure one ring lights up while the other is not and vice versa.
With all that said, even though Lexus let me down (yet again), I'd still take this over that piece of crap HS.
02-24-10, 10:00 AM
#329
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