CT200h (production version of LF-Ch concept)
01-21-10, 10:10 AM
#16
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I think Lexus should have done what they intended - make a luxury Prius. But they didn't. They took the chassis that underpins the Scion tC, and put the Camry hybrid's powertrain in it. The styling isn't "hybrid", it's just Toyota Avensis with a Lexus grille.
I went to see the HS expecting to drive one home. The styling, lack of folding rear seats, and a few other things kept my Audi A3 in the driveway a little while longer.
I went to see the HS expecting to drive one home. The styling, lack of folding rear seats, and a few other things kept my Audi A3 in the driveway a little while longer.
The LS, GS, HS don't have folding seats b/c the big electric motor is in the back. As a matter of fact NO Lexus has ever had folding rear seats. The RX/CT clearly have the batteries under the floor so they can drop the rear seats.
Which does bring up a point, that CT might just have the new advanced batteries and motor b/c where did they put it? Unless it is behind the rear seats and there is no space back there for anything.
I am not going to argue over the "looks" but it is far from an Avensis with just a "Grill" swap.
01-21-10, 10:15 AM
#17
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I think Lexus should have done what they intended - make a luxury Prius. But they didn't. They took the chassis that underpins the Scion tC, and put the Camry hybrid's powertrain in it. The styling isn't "hybrid", it's just Toyota Avensis with a Lexus grille.
I went to see the HS expecting to drive one home. The styling, lack of folding rear seats, and a few other things kept my Audi A3 in the driveway a little while longer.
Back to the TC200h - this could really be the right car for them. Unique, sporty styling, a chance at really good mpg numbers, and a beautiful luxury Lexus interior. So long as it's FWD/AWD, I'm buying one.
I went to see the HS expecting to drive one home. The styling, lack of folding rear seats, and a few other things kept my Audi A3 in the driveway a little while longer.
Back to the TC200h - this could really be the right car for them. Unique, sporty styling, a chance at really good mpg numbers, and a beautiful luxury Lexus interior. So long as it's FWD/AWD, I'm buying one.
. I hope AWD is offered. I don't see why it wouldn't be.
01-21-10, 10:19 AM
#18
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Do we know what chassis the CT is based on? I missed it, is it the tC?
The LS, GS, HS don't have folding seats b/c the big electric motor is in the back. As a matter of fact NO Lexus has ever had folding rear seats. The RX/CT clearly have the batteries under the floor so they can drop the rear seats.
Which does bring up a point, that CT might just have the new advanced batteries and motor b/c where did they put it? Unless it is behind the rear seats and there is no space back there for anything.
I am not going to argue over the "looks" but it is far from an Avensis with just a "Grill" swap.
The LS, GS, HS don't have folding seats b/c the big electric motor is in the back. As a matter of fact NO Lexus has ever had folding rear seats. The RX/CT clearly have the batteries under the floor so they can drop the rear seats.
Which does bring up a point, that CT might just have the new advanced batteries and motor b/c where did they put it? Unless it is behind the rear seats and there is no space back there for anything.
I am not going to argue over the "looks" but it is far from an Avensis with just a "Grill" swap.
. About as many similarities as the HS has with the Corolla lol 
I don't think folding seats are a make it or break it deal for most (considering Lexus's sales are still #1 in the US), but it would be nice if they offered it as an option on the IS/ES/GS/LS like BMW and Mercedes do.
01-21-10, 10:44 AM
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Those are very similar bodies - I doubt most people would be able to tell them apart. Can't say that about a Prius/Insight.
The HS might be a good fit for people, just not for me. I demand a bit more utility out of my vehicles, which is why I always go with either a hatchback or at least folding rear seats in my cars. I literally moved out of my apartment in an Acura Integra GS-R (coupe), and just last week we brought home a 5' long cat tower thingie in the Audi A3. (Which prompted my wife to say, "WOW - good thing we didn't buy the Lexus last month!") The HS just doesn't come across as special to me. It's not high end luxury styling (LS, GS, even ES), it's not unique and cool (Prius, Insight 1G and 2G), it's just another sedan that happens to be a hybrid. It disappears in a crowd. Some people like that, but with their first dedicated hybrid, I think it's a mistake. But that's a different conversation for a different thread.
My big shock about the TC200h was that it sort of looks like a Honda or a Mazda - not a luxury car. I'm sure in person it'll look better.
The HS might be a good fit for people, just not for me. I demand a bit more utility out of my vehicles, which is why I always go with either a hatchback or at least folding rear seats in my cars. I literally moved out of my apartment in an Acura Integra GS-R (coupe), and just last week we brought home a 5' long cat tower thingie in the Audi A3. (Which prompted my wife to say, "WOW - good thing we didn't buy the Lexus last month!") The HS just doesn't come across as special to me. It's not high end luxury styling (LS, GS, even ES), it's not unique and cool (Prius, Insight 1G and 2G), it's just another sedan that happens to be a hybrid. It disappears in a crowd. Some people like that, but with their first dedicated hybrid, I think it's a mistake. But that's a different conversation for a different thread.
My big shock about the TC200h was that it sort of looks like a Honda or a Mazda - not a luxury car. I'm sure in person it'll look better.
01-21-10, 10:49 AM
#20
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Those are very similar bodies - I doubt most people would be able to tell them apart. Can't say that about a Prius/Insight.
The HS might be a good fit for people, just not for me. I demand a bit more utility out of my vehicles, which is why I always go with either a hatchback or at least folding rear seats in my cars. I literally moved out of my apartment in an Acura Integra GS-R (coupe), and just last week we brought home a 5' long cat tower thingie in the Audi A3. (Which prompted my wife to say, "WOW - good thing we didn't buy the Lexus last month!") The HS just doesn't come across as special to me. It's not high end luxury styling (LS, GS, even ES), it's not unique and cool (Prius, Insight 1G and 2G), it's just another sedan that happens to be a hybrid. It disappears in a crowd. Some people like that, but with their first dedicated hybrid, I think it's a mistake. But that's a different conversation for a different thread.
My big shock about the TC200h was that it sort of looks like a Honda or a Mazda - not a luxury car. I'm sure in person it'll look better.
The HS might be a good fit for people, just not for me. I demand a bit more utility out of my vehicles, which is why I always go with either a hatchback or at least folding rear seats in my cars. I literally moved out of my apartment in an Acura Integra GS-R (coupe), and just last week we brought home a 5' long cat tower thingie in the Audi A3. (Which prompted my wife to say, "WOW - good thing we didn't buy the Lexus last month!") The HS just doesn't come across as special to me. It's not high end luxury styling (LS, GS, even ES), it's not unique and cool (Prius, Insight 1G and 2G), it's just another sedan that happens to be a hybrid. It disappears in a crowd. Some people like that, but with their first dedicated hybrid, I think it's a mistake. But that's a different conversation for a different thread.
My big shock about the TC200h was that it sort of looks like a Honda or a Mazda - not a luxury car. I'm sure in person it'll look better.
Not going to argue about the HS anymore, this is a CT thread.
FYI I've always been a big supporter of the A3, shame it doesn't sell better.
Look doesn't matter how Lexus designs a car people will say what they want. "oh its a Toyota, oh it doesn't look luxury" etc etc and they Sell over and over. So the formula works. Can't please everyone.
I think the CT looks nice and youthful and different to the German hatches. No offense but the A3 looks like the A4, A6, A8 but is a wagon.
01-21-10, 11:36 AM
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01-21-10, 11:55 AM
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01-21-10, 12:02 PM
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The HS just doesn't come across as special to me. It's not high end luxury styling (LS, GS, even ES), it's not unique and cool (Prius, Insight 1G and 2G), it's just another sedan that happens to be a hybrid. It disappears in a crowd. Some people like that, but with their first dedicated hybrid, I think it's a mistake.
That's exactly what I think about the HS!
I have to admit I didn't "get" hatches until recently. Now I really see their value. For example I changed my opinion on the WRX STI b/c you get some utility with a lot of sport. I also love the Panamera (which is also ugly) b/c it is a hatch and useful compared to a 7/LS/S etc.
Not going to argue about the HS anymore, this is a CT thread.
FYI I've always been a big supporter of the A3, shame it doesn't sell better.
Look doesn't matter how Lexus designs a car people will say what they want. "oh its a Toyota, oh it doesn't look luxury" etc etc and they Sell over and over. So the formula works. Can't please everyone.
I think the CT looks nice and youthful and different to the German hatches. No offense but the A3 looks like the A4, A6, A8 but is a wagon.
Not going to argue about the HS anymore, this is a CT thread.
FYI I've always been a big supporter of the A3, shame it doesn't sell better.
Look doesn't matter how Lexus designs a car people will say what they want. "oh its a Toyota, oh it doesn't look luxury" etc etc and they Sell over and over. So the formula works. Can't please everyone.
I think the CT looks nice and youthful and different to the German hatches. No offense but the A3 looks like the A4, A6, A8 but is a wagon.
I hope the best for Lexus with the CT if they bring it here, and I'm very excited about what the front end and interior may look like. Could be a good luxury commuter car
02-09-10, 03:15 AM
#27
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02-09-10, 04:49 AM
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Lexus LF-Ch (and, presumably, the production Lexus CT) sit on a 2600mm wheelbase, just like Corolla and Matrix.
Now, before everyone starts freaking out and saying that Lexus CT will be just a rebodied Corolla, keep in mind that Toyota platforms are VERY flexible. It's NOT just a matter of adding sound insulation and slapping some Lexus badges on a Matrix. The Lexus HS, though sharing the Prius platform, has a much more sophisticated double-wishbone independent rear suspension than the Prius' torsion beam live axle. And HS received seven significant powertrain upgrades versus the Camry Hybrid. (For more on the subject, see http://my.is/forums/f41/lexus-hs-syb...-world-391268/ ). Expect even greater differentiation between CT and Matrix.
02-09-10, 05:44 AM
#29
02-09-10, 08:10 AM
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Looks plausible. It's a nice mix between the concept LF-Ch and the current gen RX. Only problem I foresee is if young 20-somethings are going to want to drive around a car that looks like their parents CUV.