Lexus CT 200h rejigged

Just in time for Christmas, Lexus Australia has added more standard equipment to its smallest model, the popular CT 200h hybrid hatchback, as part of a running tech change - but there are price changes in both directions.

While entry-level CT 200h Prestige models maintain the same price ($39,990, plus on-road costs), there is a price reduction on the mid-spec Luxury model and price hikes for the range-topping F Sport and Sports Luxury variants.

At the bottom end of the updated Lexus five-door range, which comes in for ride and handling changes as well, the base Prestige now come with improved Bluetooth streaming or "enhanced iPod functionality (on some iPods)", to use Lexus' words, and digital radio (DAB) as standard.

Like the F Sport and Sports Luxury models, the cheapest Lexus models now also feature a Drive Mode Select system that links to the instrument panel, changing the blue hybrid mode gauge to a red tacho when Sport mode is selected, which continues to sharpen up steering wheel and accelerator pedal inputs.

Electrically folding mirrors are now also standard across the range and two new colours are available: Premium Silver and White Nova, the latter exclusively for F Sport models.

All CT models remain powered by a petrol-electric hybrid system comprising a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine backed by a small electric motor and battery pack, outputting 100kW of power.

Suspension changes to all CT 200h models are also part of the running change, with Lexus saying only that shock absorber revisions are aimed at improving ride compliance.

Though no visual changes have been made to the CT 200h range, the rear foglight has been replaced by an extra reversing light.

Models fitted with satellite-navigation - including the CT 200h Luxury, which at $46,990 is now $2250 cheaper than before - also offer improved functionality with hard-drive rather than DVD-based map data storage, delivery of live traffic alerts via the SUNA GPS Traffic Update system and enhanced graphics.

Top-shelf F Sport and Sports Luxury models now also benefit from electrically adjustable front passenger seats, but the F-badged CT now costs $750 more at $50,990.

The flagship Sports Luxury, meantime, is priced $1750 higher at $57,990, but adds a Mark Levinson audio system - a first for the CT series - along with a sunroof and parking sensors as standard.

"CT 200h's additional specification enhances what is already a compelling package and once again provides significant additional specification over our competitors as standard," said Tony Cramb, Lexus Australia Chief Executive.

The changes follow moves by German hatchback competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz B-Class and BMW 1 Series (and, almost certainly, next year's redesigned Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class) to offer increased specification levels for prices starting at under $40,000.

As it stands, the CT 200h continues to sell well in the premium small car sales race, despite offering just one engine and transmission. It is the fourth most popular car in its class (with 1413 sales thus far in 2012 - 16.9 per cent up on 2011), behind the 1 Series (1806), B-Class (1717) and Audi's smaller A1 (1647), but ahead of the MINI Cooper hatch and Clubman (1331)

That makes it the second best selling Lexus in Australia - behind the RX crossover but ahead of the soon to-be-replaced IS250 mid-size sedan - and a key player in the Japanese luxury brand's 2012 sales increase of 9.5 per cent, which is in line with the overall market this year.

CT 200h pricing (plus on-road costs):
Prestige $39,990
Luxury $46,990
F Sport $50,990
Sports Luxury $57,990