Lexus is building on the strengths of its premium CT 200h hybrid hatch with a sweeping update that brings sportier styling, interior updates and innovative equipment.
Due in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2017, the updated CT 200h commands a greater presence while enhancing its reputation for user-friendliness.
Global chief engineer Chika Kako said the CT 200h – the only exclusively hybrid Lexus model – has been refreshed and revitalised by enhancing its progressiveness.
“The car is more emotional and sporty than before, making it the ideal premium hybrid compact for younger customers who enjoy spirited driving, but still care about the environment,” Mr Kako said.
The CT 200h’s modern, athletic and sophisticated appearance is enhanced with a more aggressive front mask that features a restyled mesh pattern for the signature spindle grille.
On higher grades, “arrowhead” daytime running lights have been repositioned above the single-projector headlamps, ensuring their “L” motif strengthens the Lexus signature.
Spicing up the premium five-door hybrid’s profile are sportier wheels that include a new 10-spoke 16-inch design that features dark metallic paint with bright machine-finished surfaces.
At the rear, new L-shaped LED taillights are designed with upper and lower lines that thicken as they curve outwards, resulting in a sportier, wider appearance.
The lower part of the rear bumper, which is now metallic silver-and-black, has been reshaped to enhance the vehicle’s aggressive appearance.
An expanded interior colour palette enhances the CT 200h’s high-quality materials, rich surface textures and attractive form-follows-function styling philosophy.
Upholstery options include striking two-tone smooth leather accents; a mix of fabric and long-wearing synthetic leather, and new fabric coverings. Nine ornamentation choices are available.
A stand-out feature of the interior is a newly available 10.3-inch display screen for the Lexus Navigation System, replacing the previous 7-inch screen.
All updated Lexus CT 200h variants will be equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ that offers enhanced safety with advanced technologies such as pre-collision system with autonomous braking, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure warning with steering control and automatic high-beam headlights.
F Sport
For the performance-minded F Sport, designers have also targeted younger customers with design changes that focus on black components to reinforce the model’s sporty nature.
F Sport adopts black metallic paint for its exclusive mesh-pattern spindle grille, foglamp inserts and surrounds. Jet-black plating is used for the mouldings above and below the grille
The rear bezel has the same mesh design as the front grille while the lower garnish is also painted metallic black compared with silver for other variants.
Exclusive to F Sport are new 17-inch dark metallic alloys, new two-tone exterior paint schemes and distinctive new colours.
New interior combinations include two-tone leather accents, fabric and synthetic leather. An elegant Naguri ornamentation, which showcases high levels of Takumi craftsmanship, is also available in the F Sport.
Sales of the CT 200h have reached about 300,000 cars globally with the Australian total expected to pass 6,500 in June 2017.
Source: Lexus
Image credit: Lexus
