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The Geneva motor show doesn’t officially start for a few days yet, but Lexus is already unwrapping its world debut, the new CT 200h compact.
As has been expected, the CT 200h borrows heavily from the LF-Ch concept shown at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, but the wild styling and flamed surfaces of the show car have been toned down for production. Instead of the large side front brake ducts of the LF-Ch concept, the CT 200h has deeply recessed fog lights to help give it a more aggressive look. The LED headlights have also been replaced with xenon headlights, but the car does continue to use LED lighting for daytime running lights.
At the rear of the car, the L-shaped taillights of the concept are no more, as is the angular rear hatch. Lexus also moved the rear fog lights from the concept’s deep recesses to a new position where they sit almost flush with the rear bumper skin. The center-exit dual exhaust tips seem to remain, but they’re substantially wider.
Inside, the flowing center stack is replaced by a more conventional design, but the tiered instrument panel still resembles the one used in the concept. Dark soft-touch materials are used extensively throughout the car, as are contrasting metallic accents. A pop-up infotainment screen is placed at the top of the dashboard, and is controlled with Lexus’ new trackball-esque controller on the center console.
As the “h” suggests, the CT 200h is, in fact, a hybrid. If you’re at all familiar with Toyota’s Prius, you’ll likely recognize the driveline in the CT, which pairs a 1.8-liter I-4 with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. The CT 200h can run on electricity alone for up to 1.2 miles, so long as you keep speeds below 28 mph. Lexus hasn’t disclosed output figures, but given its similarity to the Prius, we’re expecting the net power to be around 134 hp.
Although the CT 200h was developed to target European buyers, Lexus says the CT 200h will be available worldwide beginning in late 2010.
Source: Lexus
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