Next-Generation Lexus CT Coming to Europe in 2020?

Posted by Kevin on April 16th, 2018

There has been plenty of talk about the new UX crossover replacing the CT 200h in North America, but Lexus Europe general manager Pascal Ruch maintains the hatchback is an important contributor in his region — from Auto Express:

“The CT has a high conquest ratio of 70 to 75 per cent,” Ruch said. “It’s useful at bringing new people to the brand. People buy the CT for efficiency; with the UX, we’re looking for a different customer.

“If the question is ‘Will we replace the CT?’, let’s say so. If we look back since 2012, the brand has experienced, step by step, a strong evolution. But I believe all the segments we are now in, it’s important to stay there,” Ruch said.

“We might have to think about a different approach to the sector,” Ruch said. “Maybe it’s the time to find something new in the CT’s segment.”

Auto Express claims the next-generation CT will arrive in 2020 sharing the TNGA platform of the Toyota Corolla Hatchback, and will be offered with both a gas-electric hybrid and a full-electric powertrain. The new CT could also be offered as both a hatchback and a crossover, though how that would work beside the UX remains a puzzle.

(Before the current crossover craze in the USA, the CT 200h was an important vehicle for Lexus. An EV version could be all that’s needed to see a North American return of the hatchback.)

Lexus CTh: First Generation
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Comments
S
We are still waiting for Carmaker1 to debunk the CT EV rumor. At this point it's very clear that the UX is the new CT.
krew
krew

Next-Generation Lexus CT Coming to Europe in 2020?
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Hybrid and EV powertrains are both on the table.
View the original article post
S
This is really weird given that the UX is already a hatchback, but for some reason Lexus doesn't think so. A new CT program is actually financially justifiable since it could really just be a lowered-UX (like the Imprezza/Crosstrek duo) or another badge-engineered Auris.
I
Carmaker1 works at Lexus/Toyota?
Ian Schmidt
No, he works for JLR. But apparently everyone in the industry knows everyone else's secrets :)
Z
All I hope is that they give us another five door hybrid, small and priced to compete with mercedes, Audi and BMW. I wanted a luxury hybrid hatch/wagon and the only one I could find was the CT and I love it. I like conservative styles, like the Audi’s and the ct. This UX I fear is going to be ugly since Lexus doesn’t seem capable of making a subtle and attractive crossover lately. The front looks ok on the UX but that rear and the plastic wheel surrounds look gross.
krew
zander
All I hope is that they give us another five door hybrid, small and priced to compete with mercedes, Audi and BMW. I wanted a luxury hybrid hatch/wagon and the only one I could find was the CT and I love it. I like conservative styles, like the Audi’s and the ct. This UX I fear is going to be ugly since Lexus doesn’t seem capable of making a subtle and attractive crossover lately. The front looks ok on the UX but that rear and the plastic wheel surrounds look gross.
I don't know how you feel about the NX, but I found that the plastic surrounds are not as noticeable in person. Figure the UX will be the same.
meth.ix
If the CT looks anything like the Corolla Hatchback/Auris, at least I can be happy about it's looks if I can't be happy about it's powertrain...
S
If Lexus Eu said it, it is coming.... Although I can't imagine what would be the difference vs current CT in positioning? Sportier? Certainly won't compete vs Ux, so will it be coyote like hatchback, and maybe have sedan version?

Sedans don't matter in EU ...

As to the ev, doesn't make sense ... Something like NX/Rx make much more sense for real EV
Z
krew
I don't know how you feel about the NX, but I found that the plastic surrounds are not as noticeable in person. Figure the UX will be the same.
The back of the NX has this odd pinched look where the tail lights are that bothers me. Also the service manager at my dealer told me the hybrid is lousy and it doesn’t really add much mpg savings. It also seems expensive. You’re right, I never even noticed the plastic wheel surrounds. Why does it look so obvious and weird on UX?
ct200e
Great news!I was thinking of leaving the brand after the ugly UX project presentation.

meth.ix
If the CT looks anything like the Corolla Hatchback/Auris, at least I can be happy about it's looks if I can't be happy about it's powertrain...
You mean the "brand new" Auris that is copying the one-decade old Lexus LF-Ch design ? I don't think (and hope) so...

Ian Schmidt
ct200e
The design of the first ALL ELECTRIC Lexus MUST be unique!
Disagree. We're well past the point where people buying EVs do so as a form of public broadcast. They'll do better if they look normal now; even Tesla gets that.
ct200e
I
Ian Schmidt
Disagree. We're well past the point where people buying EVs do so as a form of public broadcast. They'll do better if they look normal now; even Tesla gets that.
I mean more like " Jaguar I-Pace " unique ....
S
ct200e
Great news!I was thinking of leaving the brand after the ugly UX project presentation.



You mean the "brand new" Auris that is copying the one-decade old Lexus LF-Ch design ? I don't think (and hope) so... The design of the first ALL ELECTRIC Lexus MUST be unique!


i also think it will be standalone model, thats easier to sell for EV public.

Last year interview with same Lexus EU head:

Initially, that will probably mean offering electric and fuel cell versions of its most expensive products while engineers work to bring down the cost of electric technology. “In Europe, the more successful electric car sales are at the high end,” Uyttenhoven said. “But in the premium market, 50 percent of cars are sold below €40,000 ($47,000). If it’s more than that, how will people afford it?”

So if you were holding out for a plug-in CT200h, that’s probably never going to happen. But an electric successor to the LC500? That’s actually a possibility.
so not CT ev... makes no sense since most market is buying is higher end options...
A
The respectable Chevrolet Bolt has the same wheelbase as a current gen CT. To avoid comparison with mainstream all-electric cars from Chevrolet, Nissan, etc. this mythical, next-generation, all-electric CT would need to sprint from 0-60 in 7 seconds (or less) in rear or all-wheel drive. This would likely up the starting price a bit, but prevent the model from becoming discontinued (a la the CT and HS) in the biggest market for Lexus.
S
argh
The respectable Chevrolet Bolt has the same wheelbase as a current gen CT. To avoid comparison with mainstream all-electric cars from Chevrolet, Nissan, etc. this mythical, next-generation, all-electric CT would need to sprint from 0-60 in 7 seconds (or less) in rear or all-wheel drive. This would likely up the starting price a bit, but prevent the model from becoming discontinued (a la the CT and HS) in the biggest market for Lexus.
People are not lining up to buy Volt... Chevy is losing money on it. It is not aspirational vehicle.

Why should Lexus do Bolt? It should not.

Now, if they have to do it for tax, emissions reasons, sure. Another story. But luxury buyers want Tesla competition, not Bolt.
A
spwolf
People are not lining up to buy Bolt... Chevy is losing money on it. It is not aspirational vehicle.

Why should Lexus do Bolt? It should not.

Now, if they have to do it for tax, emissions reasons, sure. Another story. But luxury buyers want Tesla competition, not Bolt.
Through the many points provided as to why Lexus should not compete too similarly with EVs from non-luxury brands, there is no suggestion they should make the same car as one automaker.
M
CT is the reason why Lexus dealerships are still in business in EU. It's their ES car. So a successor truly makes sense. I just cant tell if they want to play the hatch game again or they want to go A3 way.
S
mediumhot
CT is the reason why Lexus dealerships are still in business in EU. It's their ES car. So a successor truly makes sense. I just cant tell if they want to play the hatch game again or they want to go A3 way.
whats A3 way? Sedan? Hatch still outsells it.

FWD sedan would do well in other parts of the world, like US, Russia, China, etc.
I
I feel honored for having my post transplanted to a completely new thread. :)

Too bad the CHR and the Aurus already seem to have AWD in Europe but not in North America but an AWD BEV variant of either the UX or the CT a few years down the road will be very tempting. I don't need a lot of power. I just want a decent good handling AWD BEV and old-fashion Toyota reliability.

CHR -> UX
Toyota Corolla Hatch / Aurus -> CT
maiaramdan
The good thing is

Ruch. “If we look back since 2012, the brand has experienced, step by step, a strong evolution. But I believe all the segments we are now in, it’s important to stay there.”

Is this means that also new generation GS will appears soon
krew
zander
The back of the NX has this odd pinched look where the tail lights are that bothers me. Also the service manager at my dealer told me the hybrid is lousy and it doesn’t really add much mpg savings. It also seems expensive. You’re right, I never even noticed the plastic wheel surrounds. Why does it look so obvious and weird on UX?
Color makes a big difference, but I would expect it's just the effect of looking at photos as opposed to seeing it IRL.

internalaudit
I feel honored for having my post transplanted to a completely new thread. :)
Thanks for the link!

K