You didn't really think Lexus unveiled its little nugget of gold, the premium hatchback LF-Ch concept, at last fall's Frankfurt show for nothing, did you? Of course you didn't. And for good reason, it turns out, as the LF-Ch was merely a flashy concept-ized version of the CT 200h production hybrid hatchback that you see here and that is set for an unveiling at next week's Geneva auto show.
Call us tasteless, but we liked the urine-gold color of the concept more than the white of this production car. Naturally, the production version, which Lexus says will go on sale at the end of 2010 "throughout the world," carries side mirrors that are larger than those of the concept, which were roughly the size and shape of big-toe nail clippings. Add a little rear overhang, expand the size of the taillamps, reduce the size of the showy, shiny wheels and you've pretty much got yourself a CT 200h.
Make the jump for full details and a photo gallery.
The CT 200h, which is almost identical in size to an Audi A3, is a full hybrid (hence the lower-case "h" in the name). It uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas motor combined with an electric motor and the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission and a battery of nickel-metal hydride cells to power the front wheels. It is, in this respect, very much like the Toyota Prius and the Lexus HS 250h. Naturally, the CT 200h also has regenerative brakes.
Lexus says that the combination of these bits provides performance on par with a car in the "2.0-liter class" (presumably this is the root of the "200" in the name), while providing "class-leading" CO2 emissions. Not a fine enough point on that claim for you? Lexus takes direct aim at the diesel power plants that are popular in European compacts, noting that "Particulate emissions can cause respiratory disease, while NOx causes acid rain..." Ouch.
The company is playing up how engaging the CT 200h will be to drive, a direct nod to consumers who might consider, say, an Audi A3 or BMW 1 Series. We'll reserve judgement on that claim. Lexus notes that a driver will be able to select among the CT 200h's four modes of operation. They are: ECO, which does not sound very engaging since it deadens throttle response; Normal, which sounds, um, normal and allows the car to accelerate up to about 28 mph on pure electric power; EV, which prevents the gas engine from firing up, at least for a little more than a mile and at speeds below 28 mph; Sport, which quickens throttle and steering response while increasing traction- and stability-control activation thresholds. Oh, and in EV, ECO and Normal modes, the instrument panel is backlit in a relaxing blue. In Sport, those lights turn red.
According to Lexus, the CT 200h rides on a new chassis that promises to deliver something the Prius and HS 250h do not: fun. At the front end of the 102.4-inch wheelbase is a MacPherson strut suspension. At the back end is an independent multilink setup. The car wears 17-inch wheels.
How much power does it make? How much will it cost? Will there eventually be a conventional gas version with a manual transmission that might go head-to-head with the Euro premium hatches? Would the American public care about a premium hatchback with a hybrid powertrain in a way that they haven't with a conventionally powered premium hatchback? Don't know yet. Stay tuned.
greenpony says:
09:07 PM, 02/25/10
Pretty slick looking.
lexusaddict says:
09:21 PM, 02/25/10
as a true Lexus fan...i hate this car.
lexusaddict says:
09:23 PM, 02/25/10
the front is hideously weak looking, should have kept the concept front end. the taillights are beautiful but too highly placed, and the wheels are place far too low under the body...i WAS looking forward to buying this as my first car...guess i'll wait for the A1
carlisimo says:
09:24 PM, 02/25/10
For the European market there's nothing odd about a luxury brand releasing a FWD hatchback, but what's with the styling? It looks pretty good, but it uses Toyota's recent design language. It has absolutely no L-Finesse in it. That was the best thing recent Lexuses had going for them.
1487 says:
05:22 AM, 02/26/10
um, that is not a luxury car. That is a mazda3 competitor. How is this going to help Lexus' image?
ed124c says:
05:44 AM, 02/26/10
The front end may be "hideously weak looking*, but if you fit it to the front end of the Mazda 3, it would probably double the 3s sales.
throwback says:
06:26 AM, 02/26/10
I don't understand why we can't get this model instead of the HS250h. Does Toyota think it will hurt Prius sales?
1487 says:
07:11 AM, 02/26/10
Lexus shouldnt be selling this OR the HS. Neither look like luxury vehicles. Leave hybrids with leather to Toyota. Who would want to see either parked next to a GS or LS in a Lexus dealer? They both look downmarket.
jederino says:
08:21 AM, 02/26/10
Right, this is a serious competitor to the Mazda 3 by the looks of it, and it looks better. Actually, I like it better than the 1-series, which looks like a shoe.
charlesb says:
11:15 AM, 02/26/10
I think it looks pretty good. The front has a bit too much of that Venza headlight thing going on but, all in all, very nice. I don't anticipate Toyota delivering much "fun" out of a 1.8 L hybrid power train.
anythngbutgm says:
11:18 AM, 02/26/10
Looks like Toyota found a use for the Matrix tooling... It would make a better Scion than a Lexus IMO.
sunilb says:
03:28 PM, 02/26/10
Bring it to the U.S., make the suspension sporty, get 40+ mpg, price it right (<$30K) and I'll buy it... I'm still looking for a wagon that has these attributes and a m/t, but I'll forgo the m/t for the efficiency and, despite current headlines, quality.
lexusaddict says:
04:43 PM, 02/26/10
@ sunilb;
from my sources, it's going to be all of those. looks like you found your next car.
sunilb says:
05:33 PM, 02/26/10
lexusaddict-- sounds good... now, I can stop waiting for BMW's 123d to show up! Seriously, that car sounded ideal (on paper, at least)... neither of these (BMW or Lexus) have very good styling, but the utility and efficiency are there.
blueguydotcom says:
09:14 PM, 02/26/10
Swing and a miss. Congratulations Toyota, for those who thought your dorky Corolla Hybrid with a Lexus badge was a massive mistake you've gone and outdone yourself with this ultimate in cheeseball tech mixed with low rent styling.
chunky_azian says:
08:05 AM, 02/27/10
I don't care if the instrument glows red, it needs an MT. Honda hybrids have that. Until then, my $$ goes to the VW Jetta TDI sportwagen.
kingfish4 says:
11:57 AM, 02/27/10
If it had an available Levi interior, it could be the 4 door Gremlin X. But you could get a V8 and manual transmission in a Gremlin X.
dbnthedon says:
08:57 AM, 03/ 3/10
Already confirmed for the US market http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100302/GENEVA/100309980