April 19, 2011. Copyright 2011, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Lexus of Japan wields hybrid to challenge BMW 1 and Audi A3
By Neil Winton

LONDON, April 19, Graphic News:  The new Lexus CT200h is really a Toyota Prius in disguise. Under the skin, the CT200h uses the well-proven Prius petrol-electric hybrid combination of four-cylinder engine, electric motor and nickel metal hydride battery, favoured by many Hollywood environmentalists. The rear suspension has been improved, the power plant tweaked to improve performance, and the interior gets the luxury treatment. To complete the camouflage, Lexus has added an understated new body.

Inside, Prius owners will recognise the signature, stubby automatic gear control, and perhaps hanker after its aluminium embellishment. They might take a dim view of the relatively exciting performance Lexus has induced in the CT200h, which can’t be positive for the environment. Toyota of Japan owns Lexus.

The little Lexus says luxury as soon as you open the door. The leather seats, high quality dashboard with wrap-around cockpit, and beautiful insets, buttons and switches make clear this is an Audi-BMW-Mercedes-competitor. The package adds up to a new rival for the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3, and is the smallest Lexus yet, as well as the first car in this sector to offer hybrid power. Lexus is launching it on both sides of the Atlantic at the same time, in almost identical trim.

Being a hybrid means that the manufacturer will immediately claim impossibly high fuel economy. Lexus claims 68.9 miles per gallon (4.1 litres per 100km). The European Union demands a fuel economy test set in a laboratory with no contact with the real world to make sure data is perfectly comparable with other cars, although unobtainable away from the test bench. Lexus CT200h drivers venturing out into the real world are likely to get fuel economy in the low-40s to the gallon.

The CT200h uses a four-cylinder 1.8 litre VVT-i Atkinson cycle petrol engine producing 97 hp, linked with an electric motor giving a total system output of 132 hp. If you select "Sport" mode the car will zoom from rest to 60mph in 10.1 seconds, and on to a maximum 112mph. Power gets to the road via a constantly variable automatic gearbox. Fuel economy is enhanced by the car’s regenerative braking system, familiar to Prius owners; as the car freewheels on downward gradients, the momentum generates energy and stores it in the battery. In Sport mode, the battery monitor on the dashboard becomes a rev counter; neat. The engine revs higher, and the system releases all of its 650 volts to boost acceleration. The steering is also sharpened up, and stability and traction control devices allow for sportier responses. When you select ECO mode, power is limited, the air conditioning cut, and the computerised responses are tuned for maximum economy. There is an electric-only option EV, which allows about one mile of silent traction at under 30mph. Prices for the CT200h start at £23,485 {pounds} (€26,570 {euros}) for the SE-I model.

Prius drivers will be surprised by the lively feel to the CT200h in Sport mode, which the original hybrid never showed. They will feel much more at home leaving it to perform in ECO mode.
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Lexus CT200h
Engine -- 1.8 litre 4-cylinder petrol Atkinson cycle
Power -- 98 bhp @ 5,200
Torque -- 142 Nm @ 2,800-4,400
Electric motor -- 81 bhp -- combined 134 bhp
Torque -- 207 Nm
Drive -- front-wheels
Gearbox -- Constantly variable automatic
Acceleration -- 0-62mph/100km -- 10.3 seconds
Top Speed -- 112mph-180km/h
Fuel consumption -- claimed combined -- 68.9mpg-4.1 l/100km
C02 -- 94g/km
Emissions class -- Euro VI
Suspension -- MacPherson/double wishbone
Service Intervals -- 10,000 miles/one year
Warranty -- 5 years/60,000 miles
Length -- 4,320mm
Width -- 1,765mm
Height -- 1,440mm
Wheel-base -- 2,600mm
Weight -- 1,465kg
Boot capacity -- 375/965 litres
For -- beautifully made, well priced, feels luxurious, impressive technology, generously specified
Against -- anonymous looks
Rating -- **** out of 5
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