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Lexus CT Body Styles & Engine Options


Autocar is reporting that the Lexus CT 200h will not offered in a coupe or estate/wagon version:

The new hybrid, being shown as a production car for the first time, will not be sold in sufficient numbers to justify a coupé or estate version, according to Toyota Europe boss Didier Leroy.

However, the article does mention a high-performance edition along with a possible plug-in hybrid for 2012, which fits in with an earlier Autoguide story:

Lexus College manager Paul Williamsen went out of his way to point out that the current battery pack located in the rear of the CT doesn’t take up all of the space. The larger area, “could ‘theoretically’ be used to put a larger battery pack with increased capacity,” he said.

This news coincides with previous reports that Lexus has also filed for [trademarks] on the CT300h and CT400h names.

In addition, Osamu Sadakata, Chief engineer for Lexus hybrid vehicles told media present that both a plug-in hybrid version of the CT200h as well as a version using a more efficient and compact lithium-ion battery pack are possible.

The sense that I get is that the CT 200h 1.8L engine is a first step, meant to establish the CT in the marketplace at a reasonable price-point, and after a year or two, we’ll see something more powerful (and expensive).

As for the plug-in hybrid, it’s likely only a matter of time until Lexus steps into the PHEV game, and as the smallest model in the line-up, the CT is a safe bet. Time will tell.

[Source: Autocar & Autoguide]]

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    ThaDRD
  • October 6, 2010
What is an "estate" version?
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    Josh
  • October 7, 2010
^^ estate version is europe speak for wagon. As for the engine choices, we were just talking about this on clublexus, and how CT300 and CT400 were removed from the patent list.
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    Pattebb
  • October 7, 2010
I really hope they com with a more powerful engine, atleast 200hp, and a 150hp diesel. But i understand that Lexus are unwilling to have an estate. But i hope Lexus will have an estate in the Lexus IS lineup. I loved the IS sportcross 8-)
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    Wooski
  • October 7, 2010
There is no way Lexus Europe will launch a diesal version, indeed they are going all hybrid by 2015. By then expect to see holier than thou adverts about air pollution etc. What I would expect though is a more powerful version that will also power the IS hybrid. Indeed Lexus should offer this engine in the GS as well.
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If a CT400h is being built I'm placing my order first. As long as it's AWD :-P
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    Eljay
  • October 7, 2010
I'm guessing a CT estate is a "no go" because they'd rather do a smaller RX-type of car.
ThaDRD wrote:What is an “estate” version?
Like Josh said, it's a wagon, which I would take to mean a longer wheelbase hatchback in this case.
@Pattebb: In all honesty, I wouldn't be surprised to see an Europe-only IS estate/wagon for the next generation -- as the CT shows, Europe is definitely a priority right now.
Pattebb wrote:I really hope they com with a more powerful engine, atleast 200hp, and a 150hp diesel.
The more powerful engine will still definitely be a hybrid, and there will be no CT diesel -- Lexus officials have told me that the CT will never be released with a gas-only engine, diesel or otherwise.
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    pj
  • October 7, 2010
More powerful engine options are definitely a good thing considering that the CT's main competitors (1er, A3, C30) all offer engines producing up to around 250 hp. Even compared to their lesser (diesel) engined versions, the CT remains rather lacking in power.
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    Pattebb
  • October 7, 2010
Hi Krew! Thx fore your reply! But i think Lexus/Toyota needs to rethink ther strategy. If they are going to increase in Eu i think they must have more engine options, and estates (IS and GS). It is for me very strange to not have an diesel option in the Ct lineup, because Europeans are very dieasel friendly. Look at Bmw, MB, Vw they all have from small perol engines like 115hp to 300+ and in diesels 115hp to 300+. Lexus and Toyota have very few options, 4 petrol options and 2 diesel in the Lexus lineup. If you are going to buy an Audi you have 7 petrol and 7 diesel options. And i think that is one thing why Audi m.m is doing well in Europe. I really hope Lexus would give more engine options in Europe in the future, and estates too 8-) Sorry if a talked about Toyota and Lexus at the same time, but iám a very big Lexus fan, but Toyaota have the same problem as Lexus in Eu. My family have driven Lexus since 1992 and we have owned 9 Lexus cars. Ls 400,Ls430,Gs300,Rx300,Sc430 and Is250
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    SEAL
  • October 8, 2010
5th BAD REVIEW IN THE ROW !!!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR LEXUS ??????? http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/first-drive-lexus-ct200h-20101006-167gy.html

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