Lexus sets local date for CT 200h

The Lexus CT 200h hybrid will go on sale to Australian customers in the first half of next year. As the fourth Lexus hybrid introduced to the Australian market (after the RX 450h SUV, the GS 450h sedan and the LS 600hL limo), the CT 200h will compete against the likes of BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Benz B-Class -- although Lexus claims bragging rights as the first hybrid in its class.

With so many hybrids on its fleet, Lexus somewhat justifiably claims that in this context it is a jump ahead of its competition. "The arrival of the CT 200h ... reinforces Lexus' commitment to hybrid vehicles," says Lexus chief executive Tony Cramb.

Based on the LF-Ch concept unveiled at last year's Frankfurt motor show, the CT 200h production version followed in March of this year, making its formal debut at the Geneva motor show. The small Lexus uses a drivetrain that undoubtedly owes a lot to the current generation Toyota Prius. The petrol part of the drivetrain, for example, is a 1.8-litre four-cylinder -- same size as Prius -- and power is apportioned between petrol and electric motors and the front wheels through a clever, CVT-ised planetary transmission.

Lexus says the CT 200h has an electric-only EV mode where the petrol engine is sidelined completely, although it doesn't say how long the drivetrain will operate in this configuration. The Prius only runs in electric mode in limited circumstances, such as when moving at slow speed in stop-start traffic.

Aerodynamics are claimed to play a bigger role in the CT 200h too although, once again, no specifics about drag figures are mentioned in the press material. This presumably aims to help the Lexus in circumstances where hybrids have no real economy advantage over regular technology -- high speed cruising, for example.

A dual-mode drive system offering "normal" and "sport" settings also makes a nodding acquaintance with drivers who like an occasional fling at the wheel. Visually, the car is set off by "unique" 17-inch alloy wheels.

The CT 200h will attract a different buyer profile to other Lexus models. Its hatchback body pays tribute to the more pragmatic aspects of its expected -- more youthful -- demographic base.

In terms of price, the CT 200h could be expected to sit below IS 250 that starts at $53,400 before on-road costs -- although because of its hybrid technology it might not be as far below as you would expect. Obviously it will be more expensive than a Toyota Prius which, in its most expensive i-Tech form also comfortably tops $50,000. All this considered, it would be no surprise to see CT 200h pricing at a premium over equivalently-trimmed Benz, BMW and Audi competition.

As some sort of guide -- although it is hard to make exact parallels because of base pricing and driveline considerations -- Lexus places its hybrid RX SUVs at around $7000 above conventional equivalents. Even halving that, it is difficult to see Lexus pricing the CT 200h any lower than $55,000 or so.

The CT 200h has an interesting counterpart in the US, where the HS 250h, using what is presumably much the same drivetrain as Australia's hybrid Camry (employing  a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine), competes in the small luxury segment against BMW 1 Series, Benz B-Class and Audi A3. That car is a sedan however, not a hatch like the CT 200h.