Lexus CT 200h On sale: a really popular hybrid hatch?

Posted on August 19, 2010
Filed Under Lexus

Lexus has introduced its new thrust CT 200h hybrid sedan in direct competition with the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 with the bold assertion that it be the dynamic benchmark for the industry.

Can a brand better known for producing impeccably built luxury barges really a sporty hatch? We are about to find out …Lexus 200h CT: a sporty hybrid? It only takes a cursory look at the latest press material from Lexus to see how it included pitching the CT, because there are more references to the word “sporty doing ‘, than you can shake a gearshift.

Honda has shown recently with the CR-Z Hybrid, that power does not mean a snooze feast on the Twisties, and it seems that Lexus wants a piece of the pie. The Japanese manufacturer seems to be something of a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality, while late, with the mental LF-A and a little less mental IS F offers a distinct contrast to the softly-softly hit by other cars in the field approach. A sharp handling this would take Luke to a new level.

How does Lexus have plans to make dynamic CT 200h competitive?

The handling characteristics of the CT seem to have have been designed with European customers in mind with Lexus claims given special attention to structural rigidity and damping. The driving position has been considered in detail, looking with the engineers, the drivers’ hips as close as possible to get to the center of gravity. Lexus CT 200h On sale: a really popular hybrid hatch?.

As is the fashion these days, the CT are also offered with a range of selectable drive modes as ‘Sport’, ‘Normal’ and ‘Eco’. However, this does not seem to offer much interactivity as it only monitors throttle response and somewhat bizzarely, the air conditioning.
But a sporty Lexus? Really?

Take the LF-A and IS F from the equation for a minute, and you’re not a mainstream area left exactly flooded with B-road talent. Similarly, Lexus has set a story in such cars, so it seems a big task to take on BMW. As such, we will reserve a ruling on the CT 200h, until we’ve actually driven it. Lexus CT 200h On sale: a really popular hybrid hatch?.

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