THE HIGHLIGHTS

The CT 200h handles beautifully - smooth, dynamic and very quiet; this is a fun car to drive. It is also the first luxury compact full hybrid and so benefits from the incredible technology of Lexus’ full hybrid system which is seamlessly smooth with low emissions and great fuel economy. The most aerodynamic car in its class, the CT has four drive modes for four distinct driving experiences and its own specially developed suspension which provides outstanding road holding and excellent steering responsiveness.

HYBRID POWER

The CT 200h is the world’s first full hybrid luxury compact car. With ten years of Lexus’ unrivalled full hybrid experience packed into it, the CT is an impressive drive. It couples an advanced 1.8 litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine with a high output electric motor and a compact battery and provides a combined output of 136 DIN hp. The transition between one power source and the other is seamlessly smooth and fuel consumption is only 68.9 mpg (combined) and CO2 emissions are an impressively low 94 g/km combined.

When you select the Electric Vehicle drive mode or, indeed, when starting up and driving at low speeds, the CT is powered by the electric motor alone, producing no CO2 or NOx, uses no petrol and is almost completely silent. As you speed up, the petrol engine seamlessly kicks in and the two power sources work in harmony. At faster speeds, the powerful electric motor is used to provide a smooth and instant surge of torque when accelerating. The hybrid battery never needs to be re-charged as energy is harnessed when braking or decelerating which is then converted for storage in the hybrid battery.

DYNAMIC DRIVING SYSTEMS

The CT 200h benefits from vehicle stability control (VSC) and traction control (TRC) systems which help to prevent loss of vehicle control. The VSC sensors continuously monitor speed, steering angle, yaw rate and deceleration and network the data to judge which stability and safety systems should be deployed and to what extent. TRC increases the car’s ability to grip the road by monitoring each wheel’s rotational speed and restoring traction to those that are slipping.

SYSTEM CONTROL

Our award-winning Remote Touch technology revolutionises the way you interact with many of the car’s advanced systems. Naturally and conveniently positioned between the two front seats, on the centre console, it works like a computer mouse, allowing you to operate the features displayed on the full-colour multi-display screen. This means that eye movement and unnecessary distraction is kept to a minimum, allowing you to focus on the road ahead.

You can control the car’s entertainment system, manage the climate control and even operate the advanced satellite navigation via Remote Touch. You have full control of the cursor, avoiding the need to click through options, and the haptic technology inside gently draws the cursor towards the icons as you navigate the screen making it even easier. This sensory reaction force can even be customised to suit your specific preferences. Simple, intuitive and very easy to operate.

The CT 200h’s seven-inch full-colour multi-display screen is positioned centrally on the dashboard, close to the driver’s field of vision – combined with the intuitive positioning of the Remote Touch ‘mouse’, this minimises driver distraction when operating the CT 200h’s state-of-the-art systems.

FOUR DRIVE MODES

The CT 200h offers four different modes of driving; four distinct driving experiences that can be selected according to conditions or, indeed, your mood – from serenely relaxed to dynamic and sporty. In Electric Vehicle mode, the CT is powered by the electric motor alone, producing no CO2 or NOx at point of driving, uses no petrol and is almost completely silent. If you choose Eco mode the engine output and gear selection are adjusted, and the air conditioning and heated seats are intelligently controlled to optimise fuel efficiency. Normal mode is great for everyday driving.

Choose Sport mode and the car re-tunes the throttle for more direct acceleration and adjusts the car’s various steering, traction and stability control systems for a more lively drive. The instrument panel also changes from a calming blue to a sporty red and the ecometer changes to a tachometer to display engine revs.

AERODYNAMICS

The CT 200h is the most aerodynamic car in its class with a drag coefficient of just 0.28 thanks, in the main, to its leading-edge design approach which optimises airflow around the car and its near flat under body. The streamlined profile, long roofline, tapered body sides, sculpted bumpers, rear diffuser and integral winglets in the rear window all contribute to its class-leading aerodynamics.

SUSPENSION

The outstanding road holding and excellent steering responsiveness of the CT is due to both the front MacPherson strut and the rear double wishbone suspension (which was developed specifically for the CT). The rear suspension reduces body roll when cornering and enables precise handling for a really impressive drive. And, what’s more, it is compact, leaving more space in the boot for luggage. In the F SPORT, and as an option in the Premier, front and rear performance dampeners absorb vibrations and improve the chassis’ rigidity for an altogether more involving drive.