Lexus Europe Hopes for Next-Generation CT Hatchback

Posted by Kevin on July 6th, 2018

Lexus Europe general manager Pascal Ruch spoke on the future of the CT hatchback in an interview with Autocar:

“The size of the segment the CT competes in is still very significant.”

“At the moment, I see the UX as delivering additional volume, not necessarily replacing the CT. We’ve just updated the CT, so we have at least two more years of sales to make an evaluation from. There is no rush to make a decision.”

The CT currently makes up 13% of total European sales for Lexus, but more importantly, it’s a conquest car — around 70% of buyers are new to the brand.

EuropeLexus 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.
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?
[​IMG]

Hybrid and EV powertrains are both on the table.
View the original article post
krew
krew

Next-Generation Lexus CT Coming to Europe in 2020?
[​IMG]

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 or doesn't admit the fact. On the other hand a new CT program is actually financially justifiable since it could really just be a lowered-UX (like the Imprezza/Crosstrek duo, but is it even possible to lower a UX?) or another badge-engineered Auris. The engineering effort required is trivial.
S
This is really weird given that the UX is already a hatchback, but for some reason Lexus doesn't think so or doesn't admit the fact. On the other hand a new CT program is actually financially justifiable since it could really just be a lowered-UX (like the Imprezza/Crosstrek duo, but is it even possible to lower a UX?) or another badge-engineered Auris. The engineering effort required is trivial.
I
Carmaker1 works at Lexus/Toyota?
I
Carmaker1 works at Lexus/Toyota?
Ian Schmidt
No, he works for JLR. But apparently everyone in the industry knows everyone else's secrets :)
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.
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.
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...
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
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?
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... The design of the first ALL ELECTRIC Lexus MUST be unique!

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... The design of the first ALL ELECTRIC Lexus MUST be unique!

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.
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 ....
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...
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.
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.

A