A Hybrid to Enjoy Driving

The CT200h is a five-door hatchback developed to be a car that pioneers a new era for Lexus, offering a dynamic and agile driving experience despite being a hybrid-exclusive model.

A high-rigidity body with performance dampers, and newly developed front MacPherson strut and rear double-wishbone suspension systems achieve both agile steering and a comfortable ride. Furthermore, the six-speed paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow drivers to control power as they intend.

The body, touted for its high rigidity, incorporates a pedestrian-impact-absorbing body structure around the bumper area to mitigate impact to pedestrians in the event of a collision.

Additionally, a Drive Mode Select switch on the center cluster allows for the selection of three modes: "NORMAL," "ECO," and "SPORT." Selecting a mode not only changes acceleration feel and steering response, but also alters the meter display and interior lighting colors, allowing the driver to recognize the mode and enjoy the changing ambiance as a form of expression.

Various Features for Environmental Performance

In terms of powertrain, it is equipped with the 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle engine, the 2ZR-FXE, which is also used in the Prius and boasts high reliability. The "Lexus Hybrid Drive" technology, which combines a high-output motor delivering high torque from low RPM, a generator motor, a power split device, and a reduction gear, is fully utilized, achieving a fuel economy of 34.0 km/ℓ in the 10-15 mode test cycle.

Beyond the hybrid system itself, the CT200h is packed with various technologies that contribute to improved real-world fuel efficiency. These include an exhaust heat recirculation system that enables early engine stop even in winter, and a Harmonious Driving Navigator that aids eco-driving. A new humidity sensor measures temperature and humidity, controlling the recirculation ratio to maximize it within the range that prevents window fogging. Furthermore, lightweight construction is achieved through the use of aluminum for the engine hood and back door, and high-tensile steel (HTS) for the body structure, while also realizing excellent aerodynamic performance with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.28.

Its contribution to the environment extends further: to reduce the use of petroleum resources, the luggage compartment interior trim uses a new eco-plastic, Bio-PET (a material where part of the raw material for PET - polyethylene terephthalate - is replaced with a bio-based material derived from sugarcane), which is the first in the world to be used in this application.

The exterior design adopts a wide and low form. The low vehicle height minimizes the frontal projected area, emphasizing the flared shoulders and wheel arches against a cabin that tapers towards the rear. This design is based on Lexus's design philosophy, "L-finesse."

A total of nine body colors are available.

The Premium Feel Unique to Lexus

The interior offers six fabric upholstery options and four leather upholstery options. For the ornament panels, four types are available, including bamboo wood grain, which uses fast-growing bamboo, a natural material, reflecting consideration for reduced environmental impact, as well as ash burl wood grain.

Safety is also a hallmark of Lexus's premium compact. The impact-absorbing body and high-strength cabin structure suppress cabin deformation in collisions. Furthermore, the concept of compatibility, pursuing coexistence between vehicles of different weights and heights during collisions, has been introduced. With eight SRS airbags as standard in the front seats, it achieves class-leading safety performance, aiming for top ratings in JNCAP (Japan), IIHS (USA), and Euro NCAP (Europe).

In addition, the vehicle proximity notification system is standard for the first time on a Lexus. Other features include the Pre-Collision Safety System (optional on all models) to help mitigate collision damage, an emergency brake system to alert following vehicles, S-VSC (Steering-assisted Vehicle Stability Control: a system that assists driving force distribution and steering torque to maintain vehicle stability), and TRC.

As befits its designation as a premium compact, the attention to detail is evident. In terms of audio, the standard audio system speakers use bamboo charcoal resin diaphragms, which are also environmentally friendly, and a "Mark Levinson" premium surround sound system is available as an option.

Engine noise, road noise, and other sounds have been thoroughly reduced. To achieve even greater quietness, building upon the advantages of the quiet hybrid system, measures include reducing engine noise with hood insulators and dash outer silencers, reducing road noise by attaching sound-absorbing material to the fender liners, and reducing wind noise by using high-sound insulation glass for the windshield and creating flush surfaces on the body.

The luggage compartment offers a capacity of 375 liters (VDA method) thanks to the low mounting position of the compact hybrid battery. Folding the 6:4 split-folding rear seats creates a flat luggage space exceeding 1,500mm in depth and 960 liters (VDA method).

The CT200h, the most compact model to join the Lexus lineup, is priced from 3.55 million yen, with a monthly sales target of 1,500 units.

LEXUS CT200h | Lexus CT200h
Body | Overall Length 4,320 x Overall Width 1,765 x Overall Height 1,450mm
Wheelbase | 2,600mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,380kg
Engine | 1.8-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder 16-valve VVT-i (Atkinson cycle)
Maximum Output (Engine) | 73 kW (99 ps) / 5,200 rpm
Maximum Torque (Engine) | 142 Nm (14.5 kgm) / 4,000 rpm
Maximum Output (Motor) | 60 kW (82 ps)
Maximum Torque (Motor) | 207 Nm (21.1 kgm)
System Total Maximum Output | 100 kW (136 ps)
Transmission | Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission
Battery | Nickel-metal hydride battery
10-15 Mode Fuel Economy | 34.0 km/ℓ
CO2 Emissions | 68 g/km
Drivetrain | 2WD (FF)
Seating Capacity | 5 people
Price | 3.55 million yen