Lexus has released details for its all-new 2011 Lexus CT 200h compact hybrid, which is set to star next week at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Serving as a new entry point to the Lexus brand the CT 200h will enter production towards the end of the year for worldwide sale, which presumably means the car will be headed to local showrooms.
Lexus is hoping its latest model will be able to attract new and younger customers to the brand, which currently suffers from one of the highest average buyer ages in the industry. Not surprisingly the CT 200h is packed with technology such as its advanced hybrid powertrain and funky Remote Touch multi-function controller.
Design and development work took place with the European market in mind, with targets like the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 clearly in the CT 200h's sights. The car retains strong visual links to the LF-Ch Concept presented last year and features a conventional five-door body with trademark Lexus elements.
According to Lexus, the CT 200h is built on a new platform with a dedicated double wishbone and trailing arm rear suspension system. Up front is a MacPherson strut setup and a new front anti-roll bar.
Its new hybrid drivetrain combines a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with a powerful electric motor. Drivers have the choice of four selectable drive modes: ECO and NORMAL place the emphasis on efficiency and comfort, while SPORT focuses on dynamic performance. The CT 200h also has an EV (electric vehicle) mode that allows for electric only driving at speeds of up to 28 mph over a distance of 1.2 miles.
Inside, the dashboard is split into an upper Display Zone with an eight-inch LCD multi-display screen, and a lower Operation Zone with the shift lever and other controls such as the new Remote Touch multi-function controller. There’s also a reasonable amount of storage space with up to 24.7 cubic-feet available when the rear seats are folded.
[Lexus]
