In March 2010, on the catwalks of the International Geneva Auto Show, Lexus delighted the audience with the first C-class hatchback in its history - the five-door CT 200h model, which received a pleasant appearance, high-quality interior and, most importantly, a hybrid drive.
The car became the serial implementation of the LF-Ch concept, presented in 2009 at the Frankfurt Bridal Show and delighted the automotive press.
In the fall of 2013, the Lexus CT 200h underwent a modernization, presented in an updated guise at the Guangzhou Motor Show. The five-door has noticeably "rejuvenated" externally, received improved finishing materials, expanded its functionality with new items and acquired minor technical improvements.
Outwardly, the Japanese hybrid is definitely not a "written" handsome man and looks stylish, unusual and recognizable, although it is not devoid of contradictory details - well, a premium class car should not "wear" only 16-inch wheels.
Aggressive design of the front end with a strict front optics and a massive "spindle" of the radiator grille evokes a feeling of respect, and the stern with spectacular lanterns and a "blown" bumper looks fashionable and original. Yes, and in profile, the five-door cannot be blamed for its nondescriptness - lean sidewalls with a cunning window outline, a high window sill line and generally dynamic outlines.
Even more aggression in the exterior of the hatch is extolled by the optional F Sport package, the distinctive features of which include a mesh mesh in the radiator grille, a developed spoiler and uniquely designed wheels.
The overall dimensions of the Lexus CT 200h correspond to the canons of the C-class according to the European classification: 4350 mm in length, 1445 mm in height and 1765 mm in width. There is a 2600 mm gap between the wheelsets of the car, and a ground clearance of 140 mm is visible under the bottom.
The interior of the Lexus CT 200h is impressive in a good way - and it is not only about the premium design, but also carefully thought out ergonomics. "Chubby" multifunctional steering wheel, stylish instrument cluster, sloping console with a 7-inch multimedia system screen and well-arranged control bodies - the inside of the car is beautiful, sporty and logical. The decoration of the decoration combines several types of high-quality plastics, real wood, natural leather and aluminum, and the assembly is at an impeccable level.
In the F Sport version, the car "sports" decorative inserts made of shimamoku wood and dark red leather on the doors and seats.
The front seats of the compact Lexus have a well-adjusted profile, dense filling, solid adjustment ranges and other benefits of civilization. There is enough free space on the back sofa even for tall riders (there is enough space in the knees, and the roof does not put pressure on their heads), but the middle passenger is clearly placed with a box-armrest.
The cargo compartment of the Lexus CT 200h with the correct, but unnecessarily "flat" shape, in the "stowed" form, holds 375 liters of luggage. The second row of seats is transformed by a pair of unequal parts into a flat area, which increases the usable volume to 985 liters. There is a spacious niche under the raised floor for a compact "spare wheel" and a set of tools.
Specifications. The Lexus CT 200h is powered by a hybrid power plant, the "heart" of which is the electronically controlled Lexus Hybrid Drive continuously variable transmission with planetary gear that connects a gasoline engine with an electric motor.
The engine compartment of the hatchback is based on the Atkinson cycle "four" VVT-i with a volume of 1.8 liters (1798 cubic centimeters) with a vertical block, direct injection, an exhaust gas recuperation system and a 16-valve timing, producing 99 "horses" at 5200 rpm and 142 Nm of peak thrust at 2800-4400 rpm. It is powered by an 82-horsepower AC synchronous motor with 207 Nm of torque, powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery. The total output of the hybrid drive on the car is 136 "horses".
The power plant of the Lexus CT 200h is capable of operating in four modes: EV - driving on electric traction; ECO - provides maximum fuel economy; NORMAL - normal mode in which both motors are involved; SPORT - designed for dynamic driving, in which the steering and accelerator reactions are "sharpened" and the control of electronic "assistants" is weakened.
One should not expect impressive opportunities from the ST 200h - the hatch accelerates to a maximum of 180 km / h, and the first "hundred" is gaining after 10.3 seconds. In the combined driving cycle, the car "drinks" only 3.8 liters of fuel per 100 km / h, and in the "green" mode it is able to cover several kilometers at a speed of up to 45 km / h.
The Lexus CT 200h hatchback is based on the front-wheel-drive "Toyota" MC platform with the lowest possible placement of drive elements for the sake of better handling and stability. Both front and rear, the five-door uses an independent suspension - MacPherson struts and multi-link architecture on a powerful subframe, respectively (with transverse stabilizers in both cases).
In the power structure of the "Japanese" body, high-strength grades of steel are abundantly used, and the fifth door, hood and deformable cross-members are cast from aluminum by the bumper.
By default, the car is equipped with an adaptive electric power steering with a reduction gear on the shaft and ventilated brakes on four wheels, supplemented by a complex of modern electronics.
The "sporty" version of the F Sport differs from the basic versions only by the reconfigured springs and shock absorbers in the direction of greater sharpness.
Options and prices. In 2016, the Lexus CT 200h is not officially supplied to the Russian market, but in the countries of the Old World (to be more precise, in Germany), a hybrid car can be purchased at a price of 26,950 euros. In the "base", the hatchback has eight airbags, a dual-zone "climate", alloy wheel rims, an audio system with six speakers, uphill start assist technology, power windows for all doors, ABS, ESP and a bunch of other modern functionality.
In turn, the "top-end" equipment, starting at 38,600 euros, is capable of boasting full LED optics, premium "music" with 13 speakers, leather interior, multimedia complex, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera and other goodies. ...
