Lexus CT 200h (2011) Review

February 2010

CT200h launched

Lexus CT 200h is first full hybrid vehicle to be launched in premium compact segment. Entering production in late 2010 and set for sale worldwide, the full hybrid model will provide a new gateway to the Lexus range and attract new, younger customers to the brand.

The Lexus CT 200h was designed and developed for Europe. Lexus’s first five-door compact car, its size, packaging, full hybrid technology and low emissions address the requirements of environment-conscious customers. At the same time, it does not compromise the quality, refinement and driving pleasure that are the hallmarks of every Lexus.

Production CT 200h retains strong visual links to the LF-Ch concept Lexus unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. Its styling marks a powerful evolution of Lexus’s L-finesse design philosophy with a distinctive, sharp-edged look that sets it apart from its premium compact rivals.

Lexus has retained the asymmetrical dashboard design seen in the LF-Ch show car. Based on the Future Lexus Interior concept, the dashboard is split into an upper Display Zone, with an eight-inch LCD multi-display screen; and a lower Operation Zone, with the shift lever and other controls such as Lexus’s Remote Touch multi-function controller.

In keeping with the car’s performance, the driving position is set low, with a highly supportive driver’s seat. The instrument binnacle houses large, twin dials; in SPORT mode, the hybrid indicator in the binnacle functions as a tachometer and the ambient lighting turns from blue to red. The two-mode switch ring and a spotlight in the centre cluster also light up in red, changing the whole atmosphere of the cabin.

In spite of its compact, efficient design, the CT 200h offers a roomy interior. The 2,600mm wheelbase allows for front and rear passenger accommodation that is among the most spacious in the segment. Luggage capacity is 345 litres, increasing to 700 litres with the rear seats lowered.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system in the CT 200h combines a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine with a powerful electric motor. Drivers have the choice of four selectable drive modes: ECO and NORMAL place the emphasis on efficiency and comfort, while SPORT focuses on dynamic performance.

Unlike mild hybrid systems used by other manufacturers, the CT 200h also has an EV (electric vehicle) mode that allows for ultra-quiet running on the electric motor alone, resulting in zero fuel consumption and CO2, NOx and particulate emissions. The car is capable of running in EV mode for up to 1.2 miles at speeds up to 28mph.

The CT 200h is built on a new platform with a dedicated double wishbone and trailing arm rear suspension system. It has been developed specifically to combine the ride comfort expected of a Lexus with superior driving involvement and handling agility.

Several elements in the MacPherson strut design have been exclusively developed for the mode, including the coil springs and shock absorbers, and a new front anti-roll bar has been designed to deliver improved roll rigidity.

The double wishbone rear suspension is exclusive to the CT 200h and incorporates a lightweight trailing arm. The springs and shocks are positioned separately to minimise intrusion into the loadspace floor.

August 2010

The new Lexus CT 200h has been the subject of innovative, detailed chassis engineering to ensure that it will put a smile on the face of the driver. From the outset, Lexus has aimed to make the CT 200h a true driver’s car. Delivering on this promise was not a matter of finding some clever add-on parts, but required fundamental reappraisal of the chassis and bodyshell design. True to its reputation for pioneering advanced technology, Lexus has equipped CT 200h with lateral performance dampers, components that, until now, have largely been the preserve of a very few high-performance models.

Lexus has used the damping technology as an effective way of increasing torsional rigidity, suppressing vibrations and contributing to ride comfort without the penalty of extra weight. Deployed front and rear, the lateral dampers are key elements in a detailed package of design and engineering measures that also includes strategic strengthening and carefully gauged welding quality throughout the vehicle.

The result is a car powered by proven full hybrid technology that lets the driver enjoy an added performance dimension, supported by a choice of Dynamic and Relaxing driving “moods” and selectable SPORT, NORMAL AND ECO drive modes.

CT 200h’s handling has been developed specifically to appeal European customers. Final dynamic testing was carried out on European roads to ensure the all aspects of the car’s suspension, steering, regenerative braking system and full hybrid powertrain meet the standards expected in the highly competitive market for compact luxury cars – currently dominated by the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.

The Lexus CT 200h is the first volume production model to use front and rear lateral performance dampers to increase torsional rigidity and reduce vibration. The dampers’ design is like that of a monotube shock absorber, as shown in the diagram below. Used in place of conventional rigid bracing, they are deployed between the front suspension towers, and at the rear across the lower back panel. Each damper assembly is tailored to suit the rigidity, noise and vibration performance in its immediate surroundings.

As well as absorbing and minimising unwanted vibrations, particularly through the vehicle floor, they improve steering feel and ride comfort. Body deformation is also significantly reduced: in testing, Lexus engineers recorded a 15 per cent reduction in the displacement of the left and right suspension towers.

Their contribution to on-board comfort even extends to cutting the amount of white noise transmitted through the car’s audio system, the kind of attention to detail that is a hallmark of Lexus engineering.

Lexus’s ambition is for the new CT 200h to set a benchmark for handling in its segment. To help meet this goal it has targeted measures to give the car excellent structural rigidity, in particular by optimising weld points and bracing around the vehicle.

On the underbody weld spot density has been increased where the rear floor cross-members connect with the wheel housings and bracing has been added to both the front and rear suspension systems. Extensive reinforcement has been added to the wheel mounts, steering gearbox mount, steering column assembly and the suspension members. The front suspension towers, front cowl and front pillars are all connected by a network of bracing.

The front floor brace, hybrid vehicle battery carrier and the rear lower support members are also all designed for high rigidity performance. On the upper body, a fully closed cross-section runs around the full circumference of the tailgate, with inner gussets and outer reinforcements located on C- pillar.

The work invested by Lexus in CT 200h’s chassis and body forms part of a full dynamic package for the car that includes equally detailed attention to aerodynamics, steering, suspension and even the driver’s position at the wheel to achieve sporty, rewarding performance.

September 2010

Lexus’s sporty new CT 200h is expected to deliver CO2 emissions of just 96g/km. Thanks to the exceptional efficiency of its full hybrid powertrain, the all-new hatchback outperforms all its similarly powered small luxury car rivals, none of which comes close to achieving a sub-100g/km figure

October 2010

Prices Announced

Lexus can reveal luxury specifications and competitive pricing and cost-of-ownership for the CT 200h, the model which will introduce full hybrid power to the UK’s small luxury car market.

In the UK the CT 200h is available in three equipment grades, SE-I, SE-L and SE-L Premier. Across the board equipment specifications reflect Lexus’s focus on peerless quality and refinement, plus segment-leading safety provisions.

On-the-road pricing starts at £23,485 for the SE-I model, inclusive of VAT at 20 per cent. This takes into account the fact that, although orders may be placed now, the sales tax rate must be applied at the time of delivery – the first cars will reach customers early in 2011. The competitive pricing aside, ownership costs are kept low thanks to the high fuel efficiency and ultra-low emissions performance of the Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain: producing 94g/km* of carbon dioxide, the CT 200h earns a Band

A rating for Vehicle Excise Duty – hence a zero annual road tax bill and a 10 per cent Benefit-in-Kind charge for company car tax payers.

High equipment specifications are an established feature of all Lexus models and the new CT 200h sustains this reputation across all three model grades – SE-I, SE-L and SE-L Premier.

Of particular note are the first-in-segment LED headlights fitted as standard to the SE-L Premier and the availability of Lexus’s advanced radar-controlled Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). The CT 200h also adopts Lexus’s Remote Touch multi-function control, for simple and intuitive operation of ventilation, navigation, phone and vehicle set-up systems.

For all CT 200h grades, customers can choose between the 16in alloy wheels, optimised for a refined and comfortable driving experience, and the 17in alloy wheels, for more agility and dynamic appeal.

October 2012

Lexus has introduced a new entry-point S grade to the range, making the CT 200h accessible to even more customers, but with no compromise in the luxury, sophistication and advanced technologies that distinguish all Lexus models. And thanks to being fitted with new 15-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and a larger rear spoiler, the new CT 200h achieves even lower CO2 emissions – 87g/km.

The entire Lexus CT 200h model range has been significantly revised for 2013, with an increase to five model grades, extending the appeal of the market’s only fully hybrid luxury compact hatchback to an even greater number of customers.

Some small, but attractive equipment changes have been made with the realignment of the grade structure: Premier (replacing SE-L Premier) gains a DAB digital tuner and electric front passenger seat adjustment. F Sport likewise adds an electric passenger seat control plus Smart Entry and Start. Luxury (replacing SE-L) adds power-folding door mirrors and Smart Entry and Start. And SE (replacing SE-I) benefits from power-folding door mirrors. All these models come with a revised front armrest with additional soft padding.

The satellite navigation system that is available as an option for SE, Luxury and F Sport models and is standard on the Premier grade, now comes with a DAB digital tuner and single-disc DVD player.

November 2012

'Advance' model announced as high value addition to CT 200h range. Standard features include satellite navigation, reversing camera, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers, folding door mirrors and cruise control. Additional equipment attracts a price premium of only £500 over the CT 200h SE Has Lexus’s new Tahara upholstery, lighter and cleaner to produce than leather. Available to order price £24,495; first deliveries to customers before the end of 2012.

November 2013

Revised CT200h unveiled

Due in the UK in March 2014 the CT200h has undergone a raft of changes that improve its styling and quality inside and out, raise comfort levels and deliver greater refinement. Equipment specifications have been raised and the F Sport model has been given a stronger individual identity within the range.

Changes to the CT 200h’s interior have been made to deliver greater comfort, higher equipment levels and better all-round quality in the look and feel of the cabin. The new 370mm diameter steering wheel is the same as that featured in the new Lexus IS. The Optitron instrument binnacle is available with an integral 4.2-inch TFT screen, which can be linked to the car’s multimedia system and controlled using switches on the steering wheel. The multimedia screen has been made thinner, fixed design, and the second generation Remote Touch Interface controller has been revised with a more user-friendly push-action enter-command switch.

Lexus has achieved significant reductions in emissions from the 2014 CT 200h, taking CO2output down by 5g/km to just 82g/km for the entry level S grade model fitted with 15-inch wheels. For versions equipped with optional 16-inch wheels the official figure has been reduced by 6g/km to 88g/km.

The new CT 200h has greater body rigidity, revised suspension settings, enhanced aerodynamics and more extensive NVH suppression measures, all of which combine to deliver a more refined and comfortable driving experience and an even quieter cabin environment. Body rigidity has been increased thanks to additional spot welds and extensive use of structural adhesive technology.

The greater rigidity has allowed for the suspension to be retuned: coil spring rates have been optimised, a new shock absorber valve has been adopted and the diameter of the rear anti-roll bar has been changed to improve ride comfort without sacrificing handling agility.

Lexus has also remapped with hybrid drive system’s transmission control. This allows for a more linear build-up of engine revs, more closely matching the increase in vehicle speed. The result is a driving experience more akin to a conventional automatic transmission.

Lexus Hybrid Drive is inherently quiet, but no fewer than 94 separate measures have been taken to reduce NVH levels in the new CT 200h. These include, in a first for Lexus, a new inlet duct design that is both quiet and highly efficient.

The CT 200h already complies with forthcoming Euro 6 emissions standards and offers official economy figures of 78.5mpg for the S grade, and 68.9mpg for the other models.

September 2015

CT200h Sport added to range

E xtends the specification of the previous Advance Plus model, adding a black front spindle grille, door mirror casings and a rear diffuser, plus 17-inch black alloys. A sunroof and the Lexus Navigation system are also standard, together with a black cloth and Tahara interior trim with contrast light grey stitching.

Other standard features include heated front seats, Smart Entry and push-button start, front and rear parking centres, Lexus Navigation with remote dial control, cruise control, rear privacy glass, six-speaker audio system with DAB and Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control and rain-sensing wipers.

The CT 200h Sport also comes as standard with a choice of metallic paint and the exclusive no-cost option of a contrasting solid black finish for the roof. Lexus has also introduced new Graphite Black and Deep Blue shades, available for all CT 200h models.

The CT 200h Sport is priced at £25,495.

October 2016

Revised Lexus CT200h range announced for 2017

The CT 200h Sport now has a simplified standard equipment list, still with features such as a reversing camera, Lexus Navigation, rear privacy glass and matching black 17-inch alloy wheels, mirror housings and spindle grille (mesh and frame).

Standard CT200h features continue with eight airbags, a six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth, DAB reception, CD player and Remote Touch rotary controller, USB port, shark fin roof antenna, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers and Lexus’s Drive Mode Select, which allows the driver to adjust the car’s performance to suit their personal choice or the driving conditions.

A Sport Plus pack option adds parking sensors, smart (keyless) entry, heated front seats, sunroof and the choice of metallic or two-paint finishes (further details below) for £2,500.

A new CT200h Executive model has 17-inch dark smoked grey alloy wheels, cruise control, reversing camera, supple Tahara upholstery and Lexus Navigation, in addition to the standard model features detailed above.

The CT 200h F Sport can be specified with leather seats upholstery, Lexus Premium Navigation and a sunroof. The price of Lexus Premium Navigation has been reduced by £345 to £1,650, reflecting the fact that a reversing camera is now a standard feature on all CT 200h except the entry-level S grade.

Paint colours have been updated with new Copper Brown and Sky Blue metallic shades and the option of Sonic Titanium on all models. The two-tone paint finish remains exclusive to Sport models, with a choice of Deep Blue, Sky Blue, Mercury Grey, Fuji Red, Sonic White and Sonic Titanium in combination with a Velvet Black roof.

October 2017

Lexus CT200h revised again for 2018 model year

The car’s new look features a reworking of the front. The daytime running lights keep their arrowhead pattern, but on the Premier and F Sport Premier Pack models they have been repositioned so to sit above the single-projector bi-LED headlights, creating a continuity of styling with the character lines that flow down each side of the car.

The grille has a new mesh pattern made up of individual spindle shapes, and has more prominence thanks to the removal of an integrated bumper section that used to divide its upper and lower sections. Detailed touches include new metallic grey bezels for the fog lights, set in sharp-edged surrounds.

The Lexus Premium Navigation System (standard on Premier grade and F Sport with Premier Pack, optional on Luxury grade) benefits from a larger screen, increased in size from seven to 10.3 inches for a clearer display and greater ease of use, including a handy split-screen function.

Buyers can also choose from a wider colour palette for the range of upholsteries, which includes two-tone smooth leather, combination fabric and durable Tahara leather-effect material and a new all-fabric option. Leather options include White, Sandstone and Red with contrasting black edging along the sides of the front cushions, seatbacks and headrests

The CT Hybrid F Sport benefits from specific changes. These include an exclusive new mesh pattern and metallic black finish for the spindle grille. The same mesh design is used as a backdrop for the fog light inserts and surrounds. Also exclusive to the F Sport, the upper and lower sections of the grille moulding have a new jet black plating, while there is a new metallic black lower trim garnish. New high-grade headlights house a single projector high/low beam lamp.

For 2018, the CT 200h F Sport is available with two new colours – Solar Flare and Azure Blue. These shades, plus Fuji Red and F Sport White can be combined with a contrast black roof (styled differently from the bi-tone models). In the cabin F Sport-exclusive combination finishes are available, including two-tone leather upholstery and elegant Naguri-pattern trim details.

The SE grade is now presented as an affordable entry point , equipped wih features such as dual-zone air conditioning, new-design 16-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, Drive Mode Select, reversing camera, six speaker audio and seven-inch Lexus Media Display with rotary controller. Customers can raise the bar with the SE Plus Pack, which adds Lexus Safety System+, 17-inch wheels, rear parking sensors and Lexus Navigation.

The new Luxury grade adds 17-inch alloys Smart Entry, heated front seats, rear privacy glass, front and rear parking sensors and Lexus Navigation.

The CT 200h F Sport gains specific sports styling elements inside and out, performance dampers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and Lexus Navigation. Adding the Premier Pack to the F Sport specification introduces heated, folding, auto-dimming door mirrors, F Sport leather upholstery, 13-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound system, LED self-levelling headlights, Lexus Premium Navigation, smart keyless entry and front and rear parking sensors. These additional items are also included in the CT 200h Premier specification at the top of the range.

November 2018

CT200h updated for 2019

New trim structure with the entry model simply the CT, joined by the F Sport and, at the top of the range, Takumi. All versions benefit from Lexus Safety System+, featuring Pre-Collision System, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam and Sway Warning.

CT has 17-inch alloy wheels, Lexus Navigation with seven-inch display, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control and rain-sensing wipers.

CT F Sport adds F Sport 17-inch alloy wheels, F Sport spindle grille with black metallic mesh, black door mirror pods, sports-tuned suspension, heated front seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Tahara upholstery, F Sport steering wheel, F Sport aluminium pedal set and rear privacy glass

CT Takumi has sunroof, LED headlights, Lexus Premium Navigation, Mark Levinson premium audio system with 13 speakers plus front and rear parking sensors

The CT can be specified with a Sport Pack , adding black 17-inch alloys, black door mirror covers and front grille and Tahara interior trim in Black and Dark Rose. The Tech Pack, available for the CT and F Sport, provides Lexus Premium Navigation (with a larger, 10-inch display), LED headlights with automatic levelling and headlamp washers.

The Premium Pack for the CT grade model introduces smart entry, front and rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, heated front seats and supple Tahara upholstery.

The Takumi Pack , offered for the F Sport, majors on top quality features including a 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, Lexus Premium Navigation, sunroof, power-adjustable F Sport front seats with leather upholstery, Naguri trim inlays and LED headlights with automatic levelling.

The 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine and a compact and powerful electric motor/generator produces a maximum output of 134bhp/100kW. Driving through a seamless E-CVT automatic transmission, it returns official combined cycle figures of 64.2mpg and 101g/km (when fitted with 17-inch wheels).