Lexus CT200h F-sport

[vh_supra26]

Another Lexus hybrid is coming, and it's coming soon. Remember that solid gold Lexus LF-Ch Concept we saw last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show? We referred to it as something of a deformed puffer fish with some nice Lincoln Concept C cues. Well guess what? It's a concept no more and it's coming to the Geneva Motor Show in just a few short weeks so that us and the rest of the automotive press can ooh, ah and head scratch in unison.

Not only that, but Lexus has dropped the silly LF-Ch name and replaced it with the not-quite-as-meaningless but equally clunky moniker CT 200h. We know, we know – 200h means the car has a 2.0-liter engine plus an electric motor. How exciting! That is, unless it's like the LS 600hL, where the 600h means the 5.0-liter V8 combined with the electric motor is theoretically as powerful as a 6.0-liter V12. There we go again, attacking overused alphanumerics...

As for the CT 200h, here's your de rigueur teaser shot. We know next to nothing about the car, other than that Lexus views the gas/electric compact luxury hatchback as a "gateway model" to its other hybrid vehicles. These include the RX 450h, GS 450h, the aforementioned LS 600hL and the HS 250h that Lexus oddly left out of the CT's press release. Does that mean the CT could be replacing the HS? 99.9% no, but we're grasping at straws here, trying to sex up this post. Perhaps it's best for us just to say, "we'll know more in Geneva." Tiny little information-free press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE

WORLD DEBUT FOR LEXUS CT 200h AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
KEY POINTS
* World-first appearance of the Lexus CT 200h
* First and only full hybrid model in the premium compact segment
* New gateway model to progressive luxury and the Lexus brand

Six months after revealing the LF-Ch concept, Lexus is set to unveil its new CT 200h model at the Geneva motor show.

Created for motorists who want to lower their emissions, but not their standards, the CT 200h will be the first full hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment. It will offer new levels of refinement, sophistication and attention to detail, without compromising style or driving pleasure.

Equipped with second-generation Lexus Hybrid Drive technology, the CT 200h reinforces Lexus's hybrid power leadership in the premium market, joining the established RX 450h, GS 450h and LS 600h models to create an unprecedented range of full hybrid vehicles.

The critically acclaimed Lexus LFA supercar will also be on show at Geneva, just ahead of the initial order period for the model coming to a close.

Andy Pfeiffenberger, Vice President Lexus Europe, will host a press conference on Stand 4211 in Hall 4 at 4.45pm on 2 March.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/12/g...h-gets-teased/

[vh_supra26]

Lexus has announced that it will unveil a new entry-level model, the all-new 2011 Lexus CT 200h, at next month's 2010 Geneva Motor Show and has revealed this teaser shot of the car to wet our appetites.

The new car is said to be a hatchback model based on the LF-Ch concept car (pictured in gold) that was unveiled just six months ago.

Created for motorists who want to lower their emissions, but not their standards, the 2011 Lexus CT 200h will be the first full hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment. It will come packing Lexus' second-generation hybrid drive system, which is similar to the set-up used in the RX 450h, GS 450h and LS 600h models.

Whether or not the CT 200h goes on sale in the U.S. remains to be seen but there is strong support for the car coming from within Lexus' own management team. Furthermore, with both Cadillac and Lincoln planning new entry-level models for the U.S. and more variants of the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 expected to come Stateside in coming years as well, Lexus may also join the bandwagon with its own compact car.

Many prestige-car buyers and older empty-nesters are also downsizing to smaller vehicles and with fuel prices and congestion expected to become worse in coming years the compact luxury car segment could be set to boom.

Further details will be announced at the Geneva motor show on March 3.

© 2006-2009 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...-lexus-ct-200h

[VenomRush]

amazing.. despite the hybrid thing... but i like how it looks

[Midship Runabout]

looks like the new STI

[Gost]

return of hot hatches!

[vh_supra26]

First Look: 2011 Lexus CT 200h

Lexus Gets its Hybrid Hatch
February, 2010

After being unceremoniously outed on the Web by a classic pre-show embargo leak, Lexus has officially taken the wraps off its new 2011 Lexus CT 200h compact hybrid, which is set to make its debut at the 2010 Geneva show.

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 the production model. 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 units, but the car does continue to use LED lighting for daytime running lights.

At the rear of the car, the concept' s L-shaped taillights and angular rear hatch of the are no more, and 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 remain in the same general spot, but they're substantially wider.

Inside, the CT 200h's 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 according to Lexus, as are contrasting metallic accents. An 8-inch pop-up infotainment screen is placed at the top of the dashboard, and is operated by Lexus' new Remote Touch 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 -- as long as you keep speeds below 28 mph. Lexus hasn't disclosed final output figures, but given its similarity to the Prius, we're expecting the net power to be around 135 hp or so.
The CT 200h's E-CVT transmission has four drive modes -- EV, ECO, Normal or Sport. As the names imply, you can take the car from super frugal to relatively sporty depending on your mood and driving style.

The hybrid hatch features a suspension design unique to the vehicle that employs a McPherson strut front with a double wishbone setup out back -- a combination that Lexus says offers drivers both superior handling and ride comfort. Components developed exclusively for the CT 200h at the front include the coil spring, shock absorber, bump stop, upper support, upper and lower insulators, and anti-roll bar.
The double wishbone rear employs lightweight trailing arm, with the coil springs and shock absorbers positioned separately in an effort to minimize intrusion into the loadspace floor. Other compenents developed exclusively for the CT 200h's rear suspension include the the coil spring, shock absorber, upper support, bump stop, hub and bearing, and anti-roll bar.

Although the CT 200h was developed to target European buyers, Lexus says the CT 200h will be available worldwide beginning in late 2010. Still unclear at this point is whether the U.S. will be included in the mix. --Andrew Peterson

http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows...#ixzz0ggSoCJiB

[vh_supra26]

Lexus CT 200h – Click above for high-res image gallery

It was just last week that Lexus dropped all the details on its upcoming new CT 200h (click here to refresh your memory), and now, as promised, the Japanese automaker has officially unveiled the hybrid hatchback at the Geneva Motor Show. Naturally, we snapped off a series of live photos for your viewing enjoyment.

Interestingly, though Lexus has yet to confirm what markets the CT will enter, our men on the scene report back, "Lexus executives were adamant about a near-simultaneous global launch a year from now. In their own words, the United States and Japan will receive the CT 200h, even if it was developed as an euro-centric model. First deliveries should begin in Q1 2011."

Until we get official confirmation on that point from Lexus, take that information and file it firmly in the rumormill folder, but it could mean good things to come for those interested in a fuel efficient premium hatchback to go up against Audi's diesel-powered A3. Stay tuned, there's plenty more on the way live from the show floor in Switzerland.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/01/g...er-the-lights/

[Dark]

Toyota just transformed this:


into this:


What do you guys think?

[70NYD]

i think its kewl however
looks like this with a different bumper

[Dark]

Originally Posted by 70NYD

i think its kewl however
looks like this with a different bumper

Right. Obviously, Lexus make the base model looks a bit bland, so they can make a more aggressive one in F-sport model. They also revised suspension, and a few mechanical stuff, I have no idea about the horses. Hope the US also get it. I heard a rumor about releasing 2 more powerful models of CT, CT300h and CT400h. Hope it comes to reality. If this car has 300hp hybrid, it's a winner.

[C-Bone]

Looks like a Mazda

[70NYD]

Originally Posted by 70NYD

i think its kewl however
looks like this with a different bumper

Originally Posted by C-Bone

Looks like a Mazda

liek i said..
B pillar back looks more like the new BL (newest generation 3, the one in the pic is BK)
SO

+
=

[Matador]

Not bad. Needs boost.


























and new wheels.

[Midship Runabout]

^definitely a deeper offset and a bigger tire or lower ride height. Other than that, looks ok