Lexus CT

The Lexus CT (レクサス・CT) is a hybrid electric automobile sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota, as a premium compact hatchback. The CT, consisting of a single model called the CT 200h, is a luxury hybrid based on the Toyota Prius drivetrain and Toyota MC platform chassis, and is the first luxury compact and hatchback hybrid. It is the first production model in Lexus's family to introduce the "Spindle Grille" design as seen in its fascia. It also superseded the IS as the smallest car in the Lexus lineup. It made its debut at the March 2010 Geneva International Motor Show,[4] six months after the unveiling of the LF-Ch concept car; it is primarily targeted at the European market but was sold worldwide[5] and was introduced to North American markets at the April 2010 New York International Auto Show. Lexus has trademarked the names CT 200h, CT 300h, and CT 400h.[6] The design by Takeshi Tanabe[7] was approved in 2008 and patented on 11 September 2009.[8]

Production began in January 2011 and European sales following shortly after.[9] Japan sales began on 12 January 2011,[10] while US sales began in March 2011.[11] The CT has been discontinued in the US and later Canada, with the 2017 model year being the last. Sales continued in some other markets until 2022.[12][13]

Designated the platform code A10, when fitted with ZR-series petrol engine with hybrid setup, the CT is known by the model code ZWA10. "CT" stands for "Creative Touring" and "200h" refers to the hybrid performance being equal to that of a conventional 2.0-litre engine.[14] However, Lexus distributors in some countries use the name, "Compact Touring".[15]

The CT was discontinued in October 2022 with a special edition named Cherished Touring.[16]

Specifications

The CT 200h is powered by the same 1.8-litre VVT-i four-cylinder petrol engine (Toyota's 2ZR-FXE) as used in the Auris and Prius, producing 73 kW and 142 Nm of torque, paired with electric motor/generators in the hybrid drive system; together the engine and electric motors produce up to 100 kW and 207 Nm of torque along with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. Fuel consumption for the CT 200h is listed at 4.1 L/100 km in Australia.[17]

The CT 200h chassis is based on the Toyota MC platform, which is the same platform used by the Corolla and the Matrix.[18] The Lexus CT 200h features a front MacPherson strut suspension and a rear double wishbone design.[19] The CT 200h has four driving modes Normal, Sport, Eco and EV included on other hybrid drive vehicles. Sport mode modifies the throttle and electric power steering settings, while making the Stability control and traction control less intrusive, maximising the CT200h's performance. EV mode generates zero emissions at the vehicle by using only the vehicles electric motors to drive the vehicle.

Safety features include vehicle stability control (VSC) and eight standard airbags with the options of a pre-collision system with dynamic radar cruise control at extra cost.[20] There is also a Vehicle Proximity Notification System, which uses a low tone to alert pedestrians to the presence of a hybrid motor vehicle, as well as telematic services (Safety Connect in North America).[21]

Facelifts

• Pre-facelift (2011)

Market

Reception

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in its 2011 Hybrid Scorecard ranked the Lexus CT 200h, together with the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, as the top luxury hybrid models in the scorecard's environmental improvement category, an achievement the UCS attributed to their relatively small petrol engines, as both carmakers downsized these vehicles' engines from six to four cylinders to maximize fuel economy.[33][34] The UCS evaluation found that the Lexus CT 200h reduces greenhouse emissions by 42.9% as compared to the Lexus IS 250, used as its petrol-only similar for this comparison.[35][36]

Awards

• Best Small Car 2011 Over $35,000 - Australia's Best Cars[37]
• Grand Prix award for highest safety performance - Japan New Car Assessment Program* (JNCAP)[38]
• Winner (Hybrids) - Asian Auto Fuel Efficiency Awards 2011[39]

Sales

Global sales of Lexus CT 200h reached 267,000 units through March 2016, making the CT the second best selling Lexus hybrid after the Lexus RX 400h/RX 450h. CT 200h sales represent 26.7 percent of the one million Lexus hybrids delivered since 2005.[40] By March 2022, total sales had reached 380,000.[16]

• Canadian and U.S. sales began in March 2011.[52]

Safety

External links

• Lexus CT official site (Japanese)