New small luxury full hybrid CT 200h from Lexus

All-new Lexus CT 200h full hybrid has sub-100g/km CO2 emissions. Its latest generation Lexus Hybrid Drive enables the small luxury car to operate automatically on electric motor alone at low speeds in urban traffic.

New Lexus CT 200h full hybrid is best-in-class with 96g/km CO2 emissions
The all-new full hybrid Lexus CT 200h will be introduced at the Paris motor show in September 2010 and will be commercially available in the UK the following month, with first deliveries to customers in the New Year.

Lexus’s new entry-level hatchback is expected to deliver CO2 emissions of just 96g/km. It out performs its similarly powered small luxury car competitors, none of which achieves a sub-100g/km figure. It has a Band A Vehicle Excise Duty - £0 annual road tax – and 10 per cent benefit-in-kind company car tax rating

The full hybrid system comprises a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine, an electric motor and an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission. Preliminary fuel consumption figures are 68.9mpg in combined cycle driving.

Dynamic and Relaxing Drive settings

The CT 200h is built on a new platform which benefits from a series of body, chassis and powertrain control systems. Drivers are given the choice of Dynamic and Relaxing driving moods, via four selectable modes for the full hybrid system: Normal, Eco and EV (electric vehicle), plus a Sport setting that adjusts certain performance parameters for a more engaging drive.

Lexus designers have given the car a low centre of gravity with a high-rigidity bodyshell, a lateral performance damper system and new double wishbone rear suspension, which all contribute to delivering high speed stability, smooth and precise handling, rewarding agility and the ride comfort expected of any Lexus.

Being a full hybrid, the CT 200h can operate automatically in EV mode, switching off the petrol engine and running on its electric motor alone, at speeds from zero to 30 mph. Ideal for smooth, silent progress in slow urban traffic, it can reduce tailpipe emissions to zero, with driving range determined by the level of battery charge and local conditions. EV mode can also be selected manually by the driver.

Best-in-class aerodynamics

The vehicle’s aerodynamics contribute to the efficiency of its powertrain and its handling, ride comfort and high speed stability. Lexus engineers have achieved the lowest coefficient of drag in the small luxury car class – Cd 0.28.