.jpg?p=120522_05:21)
.jpg?p=120522_05:22)
.jpg?p=120522_05:23)
.jpg?p=120522_05:24)
.jpg?p=111221_03:51)
The claim is the brand-new CT200h is a sporty hybrid Lexus. Well, call it one out of three. It doesn't feel sporty, and it isn't as plush and quiet as a Lexus should be.
Ah well, it's definitely a hybrid, and the saintly 96g/km CO2 figure will be catnip to company-car buyers as it lines up against the BMW 118d and Audi A3 2.0TDi.
See more pics of the Lexus CT200h
To turn the Toyota Prius powertrain into something sporty was a tall order. The Lexus engineers have modded the electronics and the programming of the power delivery, but it still takes more than 10 seconds to get to 62mph, and sounds wheezy and reluctant as it goes.
A sporty chassis, then? Well, it certainly has a stiff ride and a fair bit of grip, but the steering feels gluey and, anyway, the hybrid drive doesn't really goad you into pressing on.
But in exchange for the alleged sportiness, there's a toll. The ride is punishingly busy and disturbed, and the big tyres roar annoyingly at steady speeds. A Lexus really ought to be softer and more peaceful.
So it's a car with an identity crisis.
In fact, the hybrid powertrain itself is well suitable for the kind of driving most people do when they have a 118d or A3 as their company car: motorways and the suburbs.
At 75mph-odd, the low-rev petrol engine is turning pretty efficiently and the low-drag body saves more fuel. In town, the hybrid system does its best work, and in jams the CT200h runs far more silently than any diesel. So why didn't they just soften it off and make the chassis match the engine?
Oh and do you think it looks sporty? Me neither.
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
Reaper106 commented on this article
at 04:55 pm on 28 September 2010
So IT's Slow ang realy Ugly. The back end sorta looks like an Impreza, but ugly. Can lexus change the name from the CT200h to Lexus Fugly. It sorta looks like a pile of crap with wheels and a Lexus badge on it. Did I mention that it's UGLY
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
RealMan commented on this article
at 05:30 pm on 28 September 2010
The back looks like Mazda 2 or 3 or corolla or something definitely from Japan. Cant tell what this Lex really wants to look like. It will be quality because it is a lex. It will beat the A3 in everyway except the looks and pace. It cant beat the BMW in anything. The weekpoint of the BMW is the looks. But we all confirm that the Lex CT200h aint better looking than a 118d.True or False.True. Ok. Put it back in the foundry and smelt it plzzzzz!
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
airbuggy commented on this article
at 06:09 pm on 28 September 2010
i remember Jezza writing about this once,how luxury marques should switch to making smaller cars that offer all the goodies of their bigger brethren,thus saving fuel and pampering us while we're at it.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
JOHNJOE commented on this article
at 07:21 pm on 28 September 2010
the interior is quite nice, but with the new c4 coming out its interior looks better, and the a3 already has a nice interior if specced right, the 1 series interior is DRAB, as is the standard golfs. I appreciate that the hybird is quieter than a diesel but on motorways i doubt the economy would be as good, and its only going to quieter compared to the loud vw diesel engine, ford, and citroen can make quieter diesels, so the best thing to do is wait for citroens hybird system it will give diesel torque and economy with hybird quietness at idle and still offer plenty of luxury at a lower cost
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
JOHNJOE commented on this article
at 07:23 pm on 28 September 2010
its no uglier than the front of the new golf
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.