Lexus shows latest hybrid crossover...















































The CT 200h




Lexus is showing off its new compact hybrid five-door crossover, the CT 200h, and pledges to bring it to the New York Auto Show at the end of the month.

The CT, the latest in a line of confusing letter designators for its vehicles, made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and Toyota hopes that it will be the only vehicle in its class by the time it finally hits the market.

"The CT 200h combines luxury features, eye-catching styling and driving excitement that we know will attract a whole new buyer to the Lexus brand," says U.S. Lexus boss Mark Templin.

The Lexus CT 200h evolved from the LF-Ch concept unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It's supposed to appeal to rich, environmentally conscious motorists who need a bit more space than a sedan can provide.

The CT 200h has a tiny, at least by luxury standards, 1.8-liter gas engine with variable valve timing. It will have an eco mode that controls the throttle and air conditioning settings in a way that minimizes fuel consumption. The sport mode will make the power steering respond faster.


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Sometimes I'm amazed at how stupid the media is...

 

lol........

 

So what exactly is a 'crossover?' This car looks tiny compared to most crossovers I've seen. Looks like a normal 5 door hatchback to me.

The Lexus RX is also classified as a crossover. What defines the class?

 

crossover is SUV built on car platform and raised.

CT200h is just an regular hatchback... it is not an raised vehicle.

obviously write has no clue what he is writing about....

 

Darn it I clicked on this thread thinking the JX 300h was spied or something!!!

Silly clueless reporter who wrote that!

 

Is it just me or there is a huge spike in auto journalists with no clue.

Black tail could do better writing

 

That's what I thought. I was confused when they called this a crossover when it's clearly a normal hatchback.

I'll have to admit, I like the front end of it, but the rear end looks like a squished RX.

 

LOL, I was completely confused also...

 

There are so many people that think they can be an auto journalist but are complete douche bags. Mosts of the regulars here on car chat understand more about the industry than 90% of auto journalist

 

Any chance of AWD version of this thing?

 

Did they mean cross "under"? I know that most many runway models are really tall, but that car looks pretty low...

 

maybe eventually we will see Rav4 type awd or rx450h, problem is that right now they are focusing on MPG and thats not what awd is good for.

 

A number of Toyota/Lexus hybrid systems, of course (not all), are already AWD due to having three electric motors.....one up front with the gas engine, and one on each rear wheel, giving an AWD effect. The article, of course, is unclear whether that system will (ultimately) apply to the CT or not.

WE do know, though, that it currently shares the Prius drivetrain layout, so right now, an AWD version is probably unlikely.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11002122...f-geneva-debut

It will also be interesting to see the CT's potential pricing structure....my guess, with the 1.8L engine, would be a few thousand below the HS250.....probably low 30's.

 

I find the HS to be overpriced....sorry Lexus...I do..since its overpriced I hope that doesn't make the CT overpriced.

An IS 250 is 32k base.....CT better be around 35k loaded.

 

Well a loaded Prius with it's dinky little 134hp costs more than a base A3 and 1 series, so that's not really a good sign for the CT200h's price.

The CT has the same little engine and will probably costs a bit more than the A3 and 1 series. I can see the US reviewers now. "...the CT costs more than the 1 series and it has 100 less horsepower..." Of course most reviewers would probably ignore the fact that it'll get twice the fuel economy lol.

Anyway I was initially hoping that the CT would get an NA non-hybrid engine in the US so that this wouldn't be a problem. A 200hp performance tuned 2.5L I4 would have been nice and probably cheaper than the hybrid 134hp CT.

I agree the HS is overpriced but thats the sacrifice with hybrids. As an I4 FWD luxury car it should cost $~30K like the A4 does.