Hybrids

The Lexus CT 200h North American tour arrives in Chicago tomorrow for a four-day stay — here are the event details:

• Thursday, September 2
  Location: Big Star
  1531 N. Damen Avenue
  Chicago, IL 60622
  Hours: 2:00pm-10:00pm
• Friday, September 3
  Location: Big Star
  1531 N. Damen Avenue
  Chicago, IL 60622
  Hours: 7:00pm-10:00pm
• Saturday, September 4
  Location: Lot on Broadway
  3116 N. Broadway
  Chicago, IL 60657
  Hours: 2:00pm-10:00pm
• Sunday, September 5
  Location: Lot on Broadway
  3116 N. Broadway
  Chicago, IL 60657
  Hours: 1:00pm-9:00pm

Anyone lucky enough to attend this event will be the first people to drive the red & black CT 200hs — be sure to register on the Lexus Facebook page. If you do end up going, please leave a comment here with your impressions!

[Source: Lexus Facebook]

Last week, I took a swing at guessing the Lexus CT 200h price in the USA based on some UK rumors, and today, I received a note from Lexus USA offering something a little more definitive:

“In the United States, Lexus intends for the all-new CT 200h to become the gateway model for the brand, targeting a price position below the IS.”

It’s still a distance away from an actual price range, but considering that the IS starts at $32,145 (IS 250 RWD Manual), we could be looking at a very competitive price for the new hatchback.

(Can’t wait to see the CT in Toronto on Friday!)

Lexus UK has issued an interesting press release outlining the steps taken to ensure the CT 200h has the “ideal” driving position for the sporty new hybrid. The key points:

• Lexus configures ideal driving position for new CT 200h full hybrid – the sportiest set-up of any regular Lexus production model
• Driver hip point brought as close as possible to the car’s centre of gravity
• New air intake system designed to ensure bonnet profile can maintain pedestrian protection quality without compromising forward vision from the low-set driver’s seat
• Driver’s seat includes additional lateral and lumbar support
• Design enables drivers to make the most of CT 200h’s agile handling and responsive performance

Much of this optimization was influenced by the IS F, particularly when it came to setting the hip point and its relation to the CT’s center of gravity — here’s an illustration to demonstrate the point:

The side bolsters are also influenced by the IS F’s sport seats:

Seating position is so important when it comes to providing a sporty feel — nice to see Lexus utilizing the lessons learned in the IS F’s development.

The full press release follows.

Continue reading this article…

The Lexus CT 200h is coming to Toronto, Ontario at the end of this month, and Lexus Canada is throwing a big party to welcome the newest addition to the lineup.

The first public reveal of the CT 200hs spotted in California will be marked with three days of free concerts in Toronto’s Distillery District — here’s the full lineup and dates:

• August 27th, 7pm: The Stills
• August 28th, 12pm: Lily Frost
• August 28th, 5pm: The Midway State
• August 29th, 3pm: Paper Lions

I’ll certainly be attending — in fact, this will be my first live look at the CT 200h, so there’s no way I’m missing it. I’m looking forward to taking some photos and getting a good look at the interior.

For more details, you can visit the Lexus Canada website.

We’ve seen video of the Lexus CT Umbra art sculpture that accompanied the Darker Side of Green debates around the USA, but these photos from The Cool Hunter show the installation in a much more vivid light:

The installation was created by Los Angeles-based design studio Nondesigns, who really managed to create something exceptionally beautiful without going too far away from the basic shape of the CT. Extremely well done.

[Source: The Cool Hunter]

Due to some unexpected shipping changes, Lexus USA has rescheduled their previously announced CT 200h Driving Tour — here are the revised dates:

Chicago
Sept. 2, 3, 4
Location TBA

New York
Sept. 9, 10, 11
Location TBA

Miami
Sept. 15, 16, 17
Location TBA

Los Angeles
Sept. 22, 23
Slow Clothing, 7474 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046 (12pm-8pm)

Sept. 24
The Brig, 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291 (10am-6pm)

Full details have yet to be announced, but all further details will be posted to the Lexus Facebook page.

(Thanks Brian!)