Leaked: Lexus CT200h Brochure Shows New European Hybrid Hatch Ahead of Geneva Debut
With a debut set for next week, a brochure of the European Lexus CT200h hybrid hatchback has leaked out online, although details are still hard to come by. The car is powered by a 1.8-liter VVT-i 4-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery, although no output numbers are available yet. Power does go to the front 17-inch wheels using a CVT transmission and Lexus has designed the car with three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. As a full hybrid it will be able to run completely on electric power for short periods of time.
As for the rest of the car, it measured 170-inches in length, is 69.5-inches wide and 56-inches tall, with a 102-inch wheelbase. The interior looks like a genuine premium vehicle, as the Europeans would expect, with a few typical Toyota/Lexus hybrid cues, like the strange transmission shift mechanism. Cargo space is rated at 12 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a total of 25 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.
Outside, the car isn’t nearly as dramatic as the concept, which first debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year. To help spice it up a bit and to grow the Lexus brand with younger buyers in Europe, the CT200h will be offered in two new exciting colors: Flare Yellow and Fire Agate. Plus, it has LED lighting.
The car is set to debut at the Geneva Auto Show next week and we imagine we’ll find out both engine output numbers and the more importat fuel economy numbers at that time. Lexus is also eager to point out that this hybrid setup produces far fewer emissions than a similar diesel engine.
Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.
GALLERY: Lexus CT200h Brochure
[Source: WorldCarFans]
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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With gasoline prices predicted to go up to $5/gal.later this year, this car should do well in the marketplace. Lexus should, however, replace the NMH battery with the lithium ion and make the car a plug-in especially since the Prius is scheduled for that improvement. I would like, also, to have the doors made of fiberglass or similar composite to reduce the chance of dents frequently received in tight parking places. I will definitely look at the car when available to ascertain rear seat space, hopefully to find that it can accommodate reasonably sized adults. Kudos to Lexus for innovation!