10. 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE: 43/39 MPG

The Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient cars have been named for 2012 by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA (those guys that come up with the official ratings for cars) has compiled the list, which is dominated by Japanese automakers. Those remaining two are domestic vehicles, although with one being a commercial van, it almost should count. On the list are electric and hybrid vehicles only, with no diesels or pure gasoline engines.

In 10th spot is the first of three Toyota models and the first of four if you count the larger Toyota company and Lexus. The Toyota Camry Hybrid LE is officially rated at 43 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. With a combined rating of 41-mpg, it’s the only true mid-size sedan to achieve an average of 40-mpg or better. And these numbers don’t come at the expense of performance either, with 200-hp on tap. Of note, XLE models, which have more content and are heavier, are rated at 40 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.

Read AutoGuide’s 2012 Toyota Camry Review here

Meguiar’s will be heading to SEMA this year with this custom two-tone Lexus CT 200h. While it’s not exactly the crazy project one would expect from a SEMA display car, the 2012 CT 200h serves a purpose as a proper marketing tool for Meguiar’s.

The yellow and black two-tone scheme is inspired by Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash and Wax product line, giving the CT 200h clearly defined body lines. The glossy paint comes courtesy of Glasurit Paint Systems while the Rotiform BLQ wheels with Falken Tires are also done in a nice black finish, providing a nice black/yellow/black theme to the project. Handling suspension duties is a set of coilovers from CKS, while the interior got a proper suede treatment with contrasting yellow stitching.

Autoguide will be sure to stop by the Meguiar’s booth to take a look at this hybrid project in person next week.

[Source: Jon Sibal]

GALLERY: Meguiar’s Lexus CT 200h

When a car meets its expected sales target it’s not normally worth reporting, but considering the flop that was the HS250h (not to mention slumping brand sales in general), Lexus seems on track to meet and even exceed its goal with the new CT200h.

According to the latest figures the CT200h was the third best selling hybrid in the month of July, beating out cars like the Honda Insight, Fusion Hybrid, Escape Hybrid and even the Lexus RX450h. Total sales for the year are listed at 5,321, which puts the car well on track to reach its target of 10,000 units, according to Lexus VP Mark Templin.

It also puts Lexus ahead of rivals BMW an Audi in the compact luxury segment. In the month of July, Audi A3 sales tallied just 436 units for a year-to-date total of 3,803, while sales of the BMW 1 Series fell just short of Lexus with 5,257 units moved after selling 664 models last month.

The numbers don’t tell the whole story, however, as sales of the CT only began in March, with Lexus moving 2,200 of them in that month, “way above our plan” says Lexus PR rep Ming-Jou Chen. According to Chen, sales were also hampered significantly until quite recently due to the production stoppage in Japan as the result of the earthquake and tsunami.

If Lexus is able to keep up its current pace the CT is poised to become one of the best selling hybrids in America. Starting from $29,120 the CT200h is rated at 42-mpg average.

GALLERY: Lexus CT200h

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Lexus CT200h Review

And discuss this story at CT200hForum.com

Lexus has announced its plans for the 2012 CT 200h model, adding a new car and the F Sport Package as an option to buyers. The F Sport Package originally debuted last year at the Australian International Auto Show (seen above) and will feature F Sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch wheels in a high-gloss finish, mesh front grille, metal front scuff plates, perforated leather steering wheel, leather shift knob, aluminum sport pedals, and metallic trim on the dash panel. Options for seats include black NuLuxe trimmed seats or perforated black leather-trimmed seats.

Unfortunately Lexus didn’t release any photos of the F Sport package available for the 2012 CT 200h, but most of its parts are featured in the photos released last year. Also for the 2012 model, Lexus has integrated its Vehicle Proximity Notification System to warn pedestrians of its existence. New to 2012 is the color Nebula Gray Pearl, which replaces the Smoky Granite Mica from 2012.

No pricing details were released on the 42-mpg hybrid luxury sedan, but it’s nice to see the F Sport package will be readily available to enthusiasts wanting a little more fun from their hybrid.

GALLERY: Lexus CT 200h F Sport (from 2010 Australian International Auto Show)

Lexus of Australia is using the Australian International Motor Show to gauge interest in a sportier CT200h packed with aerodynamic and performance enhancements to the hybrid hathback. The CT200h Concept was inspired by the Gazoo Racing Nürburgring CT race car, and could feature elements that Lexus may introduce into the local Australian market.

The CT200h Concept includes a quad exhaust, full body kit with rear diffuser, 18-inch wheels and a modified suspension that lowers the CT200h by 0.8-inches. Under the hood is the 2.4L engine that was used in the Nürburgring CT race car, (and is also shared with the HS250h where it makes 187-hp compared to the CT’s 134-hp). This is the strongest hint yet that there’s a more powerful CT200h on the horizon. After all, Lexus has already trademarked the CT300h badge.

GALLERY: Nürburgring Inspired Lexus CT 200h Concept

[Source: Lexus Enthusiast]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Lexus CT200h review

Looking to show off the sportier side of the CT200h, Lexus will be competing at this weekends VLN3 race at the Nurburgring over the weekend.

Entered in the SP4 Class, the car will be fielded by Lexus motorsports partner Gazoo Racing, which also field several LFA race cars.

While it’s no clear indication, Lexus may be using this weekend’s event as a serious test session in the lead-up to the Nurburgring 24 Hour race later this summer.

GALLERY: Lexus LFA Race Car

Read AutoGuide’s Lexus CT200h review here

Discuss this story at CT200hForum.com

With a recent warning from its dealers about stale products, Lexus is poised to roll out a list of all-new model as it looks to re-assert itself in the luxury sphere. The news comes from Lexus of Australia where top exec Tony Cramb has indicated new models will be a big part of the Lexus push over the next few years. In addition, Lexus intends to offer a greater diversity of options to customers, from everything from interior trim, to engines, to body styles.

One of the first of the new models set to arrive is a more potent version of the CT200h hybrid hatchback. Rumored to be called the CT300h it could get a larger engine or lithium-ion battery pack and stand as a flagship model in that range, helping build a fanbase for the car in Europe.

In addition to this car, Lexus is reportedly planning a new compact crossover below the RX, a new affordable luxury sedan, and finally a new 7-set SUV or large crossover.

Currently Lexus has just 11 unique products in its lineup, roughly half the number of models offered by its German rivals.

[Source: The Age]

Nearly 5 months in to the calendar year, Lexus has admitted that it will not be able to sustain its lead in the luxury car sales race, due to tight supplies of vehicles and parts from Japan.

With dealers down to a 30 day supply of cars (compared to a usual 60 or 90 day supply), the situation is so drastic that regional marketing campaigns are being ended due to a dearth of new vehicles to sell. Lexus is offering to extend the leases of current customer’s vehicles, and is discouraging dealers from attempting to inflate prices of the limited supply of cars, with Lexus general manager Mark Templin stating “…that’s not the way we do business.”

Many vehicles, such as the newly introduced CT200h hybrid are nearly sold out, while the Japanese factories that build the majority of Lexus vehicles are not expected to reach full capacity until November.

[Source: Automotive News]

Owning a hybrid doesn’t have to be all boring as Fox Marketing demonstrates by teaming up with Lexus and building this wickedly clean widebody Lexus CT200h. Set to debut at this year’s New York International Auto Show, we were teased with some buildup photos and now we’ve finally got some snaps of the finished product.

Fox Marketing has built several Lexus projects in the past, including their convertible IS and a widebody IS-F that was shown off at previous SEMA shows. This year, Fox shows off that tuning and customizing hybrids will be on the rise by decking out Lexus’ CT200h with a very clean widebody and a set of 20-inch iForged Insite wheels featuring a killer concave setup.

The exterior of the CT200h was blasted with coats of BASF’s R-M Carizzma Cinnamon Quarts Pearl paint job to go along with the widebody conversion. Suspension modifications were done to the sedan giving the CT200h the stance it needs to sit snug on a staggered set of Insite wheels – 20×9.5-inch in the front, 20×10.5-inch in the rear. Our only real complaint on the entire build is the rear diffuser. The block-style design just doesn’t flow well with the rest of the project.

The well-executed build will also be shown off on Discovery HD Network in an episode of MotorWeek.

GALLERY: Fox Marketing Widebody Lexus CT200h

[Source: Addicted to Mods]

Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Lexus CT200h review here

As a part of a strategy to grow its presence with a younger demographic, Lexus will continue to showcase wildly modified versions of its CT200h hybrid hatchback, debuting the latest tuner creation at the New York Auto Show.

Build by the team at Fox Marketing, the car promises a widebody kit and some sort of forced induction setup that’s sure to deliver far more than the factory 134-hp Prius powerplant.

In February Lexus showcased a custom Five Axis tuned version of the CT200h. In a dark shade of black, we’re expecting something shockingly bright from Fox Marketing.

Look for full details and live photos from AutoGuide’s 2011 New York Auto Show coverage starting April 20th.

GALLERY: Five Axis Project CT

Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Lexus CT200h Review here