The CT 200h has not exactly set the sales charts alight but Lexus Ireland is hoping that a comprehensive raft of updates can change that. Priced from €29,995 the 'world's first full hybrid luxury hatchback' is available in five specifications - Eco, S-Design, Executive, F Sport and Premium.
Exterior
With every other Lexus model getting its own interpretation of the 'spindle grille' it would have been remiss for the CT 200h not to join the party. The new design is deeper and lower than before giving the front end of the baby Lexus a much more distinctive look. The rear end also gets a new extended bumper that visually brings the car closer to the ground. The exterior additions are topped off by newly designed 10-spoke 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels. All paintwork on the vehicle now benefits from a scratch-resistant, self-restoring top coat.
Interior
While well screwed together the inside of the CT 200h was never the most exciting place to be; so the new car gets a sportier steering wheel (borrowed from the IS) and metal finish to both the centre console and door cards. The dashboard also features a new seven-inch media display with rotary dial controller. Welcome and follow-me-home lighting and a tyre pressure monitoring system have also been added. Should one be so inclined the traction control can also be turned off by way of a newly installed switch.
Mechanicals
Perhaps the biggest news under the skin is that the E-CVT transmission has been remapped "resulting in a more linear build-up of revs, which more closely match to vehicle speed, similar to that of a conventional automatic transmission." The CT 200h's 1.8-litre petrol engine has also been tweaked for a "smoother, more responsive, more economic driving experience", but that's all we know for now. Aerodynamics have been improved with stabilising fins added and the door frame covers and rear light clusters redesigned while new lower rolling resistance tyres on the 15- and 16-inch wheels help to shave up to 6g/km from the CO2 output.
Anything else?
"There are now even more compelling reasons to buy a CT 200h with bold design enhancements and a reengineered engine which will offer an astonishingly smooth and responsive drive while providing exceptional fuel efficiency and class-leading low emissions," commented Mark Teevan, Managing Director of Lexus Ireland. "Based on the pricing and high levels of specification on offer, we expect strong demand for the new CT 200h."
Those prices mentioned are: CT 200h Eco €29,995, S-design €30,995, Executive €33,995, F Sport €35,695 and Premium €39,495.