Europe

Autocar is reporting that the next-generation Lexus IS will be offered as a wagon—and will be hybrid-only:

...while the original model did offer an estate variant, called SportCross, the current car - introduced in 2005 - has never been available in a wagon.

Lexus insiders now admit that this policy has hurt sales of the car in Europe, where it must face the 3-series Touring and A4 Avant.

The next IS is also likely to only be available as a hybrid, fitting in with the firm’s current push towards this technology.

With its position well established in the US, Lexus is focusing more and more on the European market. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a wagon version of the GS some time in the future, as well.

As for the IS going hybrid-only, that’s likely just a marketing decision in Europe similar to only offering the RX 450h in the UK. I wouldn’t expect this to happen in the North American market.

Other tidbit in the article—the next-generation IS should appear in 2011. Not a big surprise, but nice to hear regardless.

[Source: Autocar]

A white Lexus LFA was spotted in the wealthy playground & supercar mecca, the principality of Monaco:

No details—perhaps the LFA is making a personal visit to Lexus Monaco’s showroom?  Taking some publicity shots?  Or being demonstrated for LS 600h L owner Prince Albert II?

[Source: GTSpirit.com and Flickr]

More information about the Lexus CT 200h has emerged from its Geneva debut—according to Car Dealer Magazine and Just Auto, Lexus surveyed customers across Europe, including drivers in Germany, France and Italy, and the Audi A3 emerged as the benchmark, with Europeans preferring it over the BMW 1-series. Considering this, the CT 200h was designed with the A3 firmly in its crosshairs, and “more emphasis on sportiness in the engineering process”. 

According to chief engineer Osamu Sadakata, “This car is our understanding of what Europe wants.”

The CT advance surveys hearkens back to the original LS development program, which also began with extensive customer research of luxury sedan buyers in the U.S., only this time it’s the opposite side of the autmotive market, with CT 200h expected to attract younger buyers to the Lexus brand.

[Source: Car Dealer and Just Auto]

Auto Express had their turn at the CT 200h Geneva display, and put together a video that shows plenty of interior footage:

The CT 200h’s door grip and handle design remind me a lot of the recently-released GX 460, which makes me wonder if this will be a shared design cue on new models.

Here are two videos of the Lexus CT 200h at the Geneva Auto Show Courtesy of CNET—The first features the site’s editor-at-large, with references made to auto start-stop technology and the sport mode, and was probably made before the CT 200h’s US sales announcement:

CNET UK also produced a similar video, with some unusual video effects at first, followed with some clear interior views and a demonstration of the power door-closers at the 0:47 mark:

(Thanks Seal!)

The New York Times (and many other outlets) is reporting that the Lexus CT 200h will start with a €21,000 when it goes on sale in Europe next year.

The natural question turns to how that translates into the North American price—a direct, euro-to-dollar conversion would currently mean a starting MSRP of $28,755 USD, putting it just over the top-end $28,070 USD Toyota Prius V.

However, when you consider the higher price of vehicles in Europe, it starts to tell a different story—some examples:

• The Audi A3 2.0 TDI Automatic has a base price of €26,700, or $36,560; in the USA, the same Audi A3 retails for $29,950 USD—meaning that the U.S. price is only 81.9% of the German price.
• The base model price of a Toyota Prius is €25,450, or $34,571 USD; in the USA, the top-end Prius is $28,070 USD—the U.S. price is 81.1% of the German price.
• The Lexus RX 450h retails for €50,159, or $68,135 USD; in the USA, the RX 450h AWD is $44,275 USD—so the U.S. price is 64.9% of the German price.

Ignoring the RX 450h and sticking with A3/Prius’ 81%, the rumored €21,000 price tag on the CT 200h would translate into a U.S. MSRP of $23,550 USD, a total that’s beyond ridiculous—but then, looking at the price of a German Prius would have ended the argument right there. Could the CT 200h really be less expensive than a Prius in Europe?

(In the end, I think $28,070 in the USA is more likely than €21,000 in Europe.)

[Source: NY Times]