Lexus Manufacturing Plant in Japan Displays Custom CT 200h at Local Auto Show

The Lexus manufacturing plant in Fukuoka, Japan, has built a custom Lexus CT200h for display at the 2014 Fukuoka Motor Show in last week. Inspired by traditional handicrafts, the interior of this special edition CT 200h incorporates local fabrics, ceramics, tortoiseshell and mat rush — here’s the only photo I’ve been able to find: This …

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Kevin · January 27th, 2014

Photo Gallery: 2014 Lexus CT 200h in Hong Kong

For the Hong Kong launch of the 2014 Lexus CT 200h, Lexus worked with photographer Chester Ng — here are the results: [Source: Chester Ng Via: Lexus Europe]
Kevin · January 24th, 2014

Lexus Wins Three Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards

Owners of the Lexus RX, LS, & CT were recognized for customer loyalty at the annual Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards. The Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards measures loyalty as a household that owns a new vehicle choosing another new vehicle of the same model or make. This year’s awards are based on more than 7.4 million …

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Kevin · January 22nd, 2014

Three New Lexus CT 200h Videos from Japan

Along with their new CT 200h commercial, Lexus Japan has also released three additional videos with the updated hatchback: Lexus Japan has pulled out all the stops for the updated CT 200h — each video is super high quality, and any one of them could have been a commercial on its own.
Kevin · January 17th, 2014

New Lexus CT 200h Commercial from Japan

Lexus Japan has released a new commercial for the CT 200h, and it’s brilliant: It’s important to point out that commercial wasn’t made digitally, all the trick photography was real — here’s how it was made: (Really loving the commercials coming out of Japan — right now is a great time to revisit the black …

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Kevin · January 16th, 2014

TRD Japan Announces Lexus CT 200h F SPORT Accessories

TRD Japan has announced their F SPORT package for the updated Lexus CT 200h — here’s photos of every option: The full kit includes a front spoiler, side skirts, a quarter-panel spoiler that sits above the taillights, plus a sports muffler and rear diffuser — these aero enhancements help control airflow and improve downforce: The …

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Kevin · January 16th, 2014

Video: The 2014 Lexus CT 200h Inside & Out

Here’s Ming-Jou Chen from Lexus USA with an in-depth overview of the 2014 CT 200h refresh: This is the best look we’ve had of the updated CT 200h so far, with an excellent explanation of the changes and how the model has been improved. Very well done. (The front-end looks very complex, with lots of …

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Kevin · January 2nd, 2014

Photo Gallery: 2014 Lexus CT F SPORT with Redline Exterior

On display at the San Francisco Auto Show was this 2014 Lexus CT 200h F SPORT in the brand new Redline exterior color — here are some photos from Kaizen Factor: This new Redline color looks much brighter than Matador Red Mica, it almost looks like the same tone as the red offered on the …

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Kevin · December 5th, 2013

Live Photos of the Updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h

Kicking Tires has a photo gallery of the updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h F SPORT from the LA Auto Show — here’s a selection: The update to the front grille brings the hatchback in line with the rest of model lineup, and seems to work well — that said, I do wonder if the F …

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Kevin · November 24th, 2013

Video: Introducing the 2014 Lexus CT 200h

Fresh from its debut in China, there’s a video with the newly updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h: (A quick note to anyone in the Los Angeles area — the 2014 CT will be on display at the LA Auto Show starting today.)
Kevin · November 21st, 2013

The Updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h & CT 200h F SPORT

The updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h & CT 200h F SPORT debuted at the Guangzhou Motor Show today — still waiting to see live photos from the show floor, but here’s the full press release and a new collection of photos.
Kevin · November 21st, 2013

Updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h to Debut at Guangzhou Motor Show in China

Lexus has announced that the 2014 CT 200h will debut at the 2013 Guangzhou Motor Show in China on November 21st — from the press release: This compact luxury hybrid receives a new Lexus “spindle grille,” one of several dynamic and sophisticated exterior styling changes implemented for 2014 model year. Other exterior changes include newly …

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Kevin · November 11th, 2013

2.0L Turbo Powered Lexus CT on the Way?

In an interview with Motoring Australia, Lexus International executive vice president Mark Templin makes the case for a higher powered CT hatchback sometime in the future: “I think the CT got a reputation for its handling steering and suspension system. If we had had a second powertrain in that car, I think sure we would …

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Kevin · November 11th, 2013

More Photos of the 2014 Lexus CT 200h

The updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h has been spotted once again — Car Advice has the photos: The pure white license plate matches the spy photos seen last month, as does the white exterior and blacked-out roof — Car Advice speculates on when the new CT will debut: The 2014 facelift is tipped to be …

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Kevin · November 8th, 2013

2014 Lexus CT 200h F SPORT Spotted!

The 2014 Lexus CT 200h F SPORT has been spotted by Leftlane News during a commercial shoot — here are photos of the front & back: There were no photos of the side profile, but here’s a closer look at the new spindle grille: All in all, it’s a great looking update — the spindle …

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Kevin · October 14th, 2013

Updated Lexus CT 200h in 2014, Brand New CT in 2016?

In a recent interview with The Motor Report, Lexus Australia Sean Hanley confirmed that the CT 200h will receive a mid-cycle refresh ahead of an all-new model in 2016: Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley is refusing to admit defeat – or even disappointment – with the CT 200h baby hybrid. “We see the CT …

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Kevin · October 10th, 2013

Lexus China Commerical: Living in a CT 200h

Really like this CT 200h commercial from Lexus China: There’s something very authentic about this video and the way it captures the emotion of hybrid technology — job well done.
Kevin · October 3rd, 2013

Lexus CT 200h Sedan Spotted?

A Motor Trend editor spotted a mystery prototype in Southern California, and noting its similarity to the Lexus HS 250h, believes it to be an early version of a CT 200h sedan.
Kevin · June 19th, 2013

The Lexus CT 200h CCS-R

Montreal dealership Spinelli Lexus Pointe-Claire has wrapped up a CT 200h F SPORT in the style of the IS F CCS-R.
Kevin · June 13th, 2013

No New Small Cars Planned for Lexus

In an interview with Wards Auto, Lexus USA VP of Marketing Brian Smith explains Lexus has no immediate plans to release another subcompact car beyond the CT.
Kevin · April 15th, 2013

2013 Lexus CT 200h Price Increase in USA

The 2013 Lexus CT 200h will have a starting price of $32,050 in the USA, representing a $2,930 increase over last year’s base CT 200h.
Kevin · December 13th, 2012

No Higher Powered Lexus CT Until 2017?

According to a GoAuto interview with Lexus International general manager Andrew Kirby, a more-powerful Lexus CT will not be offered until (at least) 2017.
Kevin · December 10th, 2012

Photo Gallery: Matte Black Lexus CT 200h

While at the Northern California Evolution Meet at Lexus of Sacramento last month, photographer Philip Isidro had a chance to do a night photo shoot with a matte black CT 200h.
Kevin · October 23rd, 2012

Lexus CT to Get New Engine Option?

Also mentioned in last week’s news.com.au interview with the president of Lexus International, Kiyotaka Ise, was the possibility of a CT with a gas-only engine option.
Kevin · October 9th, 2012

Is Lexus Planning a CT Spin-off?

Back in June, WardsAuto interviewed Lexus general manager Mark Templin about the CT 200h, and found out some interesting details.
Kevin · August 29th, 2012

Lexus CT 200h Wins Top Safety Award in Japan

The Lexus CT 200h has earned the Grand Prix award for highest safety performance among all vehicle models rated under the Japan New Car Assessment Program.
Kevin · April 26th, 2012

Driving the 2012 Lexus CT 200h

Last week, I picked up a 2012 Matador Red Mica Lexus CT 200h from Lexus Canada for a road test, and so far, I’ve been really enjoying my time behind the wheel.
Kevin · April 14th, 2012

Imagining a Lexus CT Sedan

Upon learning that Lexus was planning to cancel the much-maligned HS 250h, some readers suggested that the model be converted into a CT sedan — interestingly, photochopper Theophilus Chin tried that something very similar a couple of weeks back.
Kevin · November 14th, 2011

SEMA 2011: Lexus Mega Photo Gallery

After a weekend of recuperating, I'm ready to share a selection of photos from last week's trip to SEMA in Las Vegas, where Lexus debuted the all-new 2013 GS 350 F Sport and a host of tuned vehicles.
Kevin · November 7th, 2011

Lexus UK CT 200h F Sport Photo Gallery

Lexus has announced the 2012 Lexus CT 200h *F Sport* package for the UK, marking the release with a set of sharply detailed photos.
Kevin · October 20th, 2011

Lexus CT 200h F-Sport U.S. Pricing

The Lexus USA website has been updated with pricing for the 2012 CT 200h, and I was excited to see the new F-Sport package is only $1,000 with a NuLuxe interior ($2,330 with leather).
Kevin · September 30th, 2011

Lexus CT 200h F-Sport Desktop Wallpaper

Lexus USA has published this photo of the 2012 Lexus CT 200h F-Sport package equipped with the optional 17″ alloy wheels, and I just had to publish it as a wallpaper.
Kevin · September 16th, 2011

Lexus CT 200h Leads Luxury Compact Sales in USA

AutoGuide has run the Lexus CT 200h sales numbers, and despite its late March launch and earthquake-delayed inventory, the hybrid hatchback sits as the top-selling compact luxury car in the USA.
Kevin · August 31st, 2011

2012 Lexus CT 200h F-Sport in Nebula Gray Pearl

When I spotted a 2012 Lexus CT 200h F-Sport during the Pebble Beach Concours a couple weeks back, it was notable for two reasons — not only was it my first look at the F-Sport option package, it was also showing off the new Nebula Gray Pearl exterior paint.
Kevin · August 29th, 2011

AutoMiddleEast Reviews the Lexus CT 200h

AutoMiddleEast has posted a review of the Lexus CT 200h that's worth reading -- and not only just to get a glimpse of the model in Ultrasonic Blue (an exterior color not yet available in North America) or because the reviewer admits to taking the press car up to 109mph.
Kevin · August 2nd, 2011

Lexus Europe 2011 Sales Update

Good news out of Europe -- over the first six months of 2011, Lexus has increased sales 42% due to strong interest in the CT 200h.
Kevin · July 21st, 2011

Flickr Find: Underground Lexus CT

Really liking this Lexus CT 200h photo by Flickr photographer Lil Tian, taken on location from a Ikea parking garage in Malaysia.
Kevin · July 12th, 2011

Dan Neil Reviews the Lexus CT 200h

Auto journalist (& future TV show host) Dan Neil has reviewed the Lexus CT 200h for the Wall Street Journal, and it's hardly a positive affair -- Neil tears into the hybrid hatchback from all angles, from the handling & performance to the styling, all in the name of being a car enthusiast.
Kevin · July 11th, 2011