A Lexus for the price of a Toyota? With the recent super-juicy deal as offered by the Malaysian Gov for importing Hybrids and Electric cars. The RM168K onwards Lexus CT 200h may not be any quicker than the regular Altis, it is, however much more cooler than the Prius.
While hybrids aren't selling like hot-cakes in Malaysia as yet, this is probably due to the not-so-enticing styling or pricing of the currently available Hondas and Toyotas, excelling in just the engine efficiency aspect, and not much else. On a different perspective, the current hybrids are really designed for the tech enthusiast looking to sample what the latest green tech has to offer. For the rest of us, pure fuel savings just doesn't cut it for the average car buyer while guys with the cash can't see the point in going green in something boring.
So, one can expect the new Lexus to trailblaze the Hybrid buying culture real soon, because in the end, if you were to go green, you might as well do it in a Lexus at a price that is unbeatable.
Powered by the identical hybrid unit as seen in the Prius, with the pedal floored, the 4-cylinder 2ZR-FXE 1.8 Litre Atkinson Cycle engine produces a total of 134hp with a power boost from the 80hp electric motor. Basically like a basic go-kart with a shove from a vacuum-cleaner. When the CT200h isn't electrically assisted by the electric motor like going through peak-hour traffic or down a hill, the engine chirps at 98hp.
The CT200h will be officially unveiled next week, we'll see then, if the hype lives up (which it should).
At the moment, the next most probable rival to the CT200h would be the new Honda CR-Z, which should eventually make its way to our shores officially, giving the Lexus a proper run for its money.
So what do you get for a top-of-the-range RM196,500 CT200h apart from a stylish hatchback skin and a Lexus badge?
<table style="height: 1020px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">Engine
</td></tr><tr><td width="326">Type</td><td width="673">In-line 4, 16V DOHC, Atkinson Cycle</td></tr><tr><td>Variable Valve Timing</td><td>VVT-i</td></tr><tr><td>Displacement</td><td>1,798 cc</td></tr><tr><td>Max. Output</td><td>73 kW (98 bhp) / 5,200 rpm</td></tr><tr><td>Max. Torque</td><td>142 Nm / 2,800 - 4,400 rpm</td></tr><tr><td>Transmission</td><td>Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">
Motor
</td></tr><tr><td>Max Output</td><td>60 kW / 207 Nm</td></tr><tr><td>Combined System Output</td><td>100 kW ( 134 bhp)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">
Battery
</td></tr><tr><td>Type</td><td>Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)</td></tr><tr><td>Voltage</td><td>201.6 V</td></tr><tr><td>Cells</td><td>168</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">
Performance
</td></tr><tr><td>Maximum Speed</td><td>180 km/h</td></tr><tr><td>Acceleration (0-100 km/h)</td><td>10.3 secs</td></tr><tr><td>Fuel Consumption</td><td>24.4 km/L</td></tr><tr><td>Minimum Turning Radius</td><td>5.2 m</td></tr><tr><td>Drive modes</td><td>ECO,EV, Normal and SPORT</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">
Exterior
</td></tr><tr><td>Headlamps</td><td>L.E.D, Auto Leveling</td></tr><tr><td>Side Mirror</td><td>Auto Retractable (Electro Chromic)</td></tr><tr><td>Rain sensing wipers</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Performance Dampers</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Smart Entry</td><td>With (Front doors & Tailgate)</td></tr><tr><td>Tires & Wheels</td><td>205 / 55 R16 , Alloy Wheels</td></tr><tr><td>Windshield and Windows</td><td>Green Tinted, UV-cut</td></tr><tr><td>Rear Spoiler</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">
Interior
</td></tr><tr><td>Front seat</td><td>Driver : Power 8-way (w/ Memory)
Passenger : Manual 4-way</td></tr><tr><td>Electro Multi Vision (EMV) Screen</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Remote Touch Controller</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Lexus Navigation System</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Bluetooth Hands-free</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Seat Material</td><td>Perforated Leather</td></tr><tr><td>Seat Heater</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Drive Mode Select Switch</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Tachometer</td><td>With (With Sport Mode)</td></tr><tr><td>Air Conditioning</td><td>Dual-Zone, Automatic with Pollen Filter</td></tr><tr><td>Cruise Control</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Inside Rear View Mirror</td><td>Auto dimming (Electro Chromic)</td></tr><tr><td>Illuminated Entry System</td><td>With (Puddle Lamp, Foot, Room)</td></tr><tr><td>Audio System</td><td>Lexus 10-speaker Premium Audio,AM/FM Tuner, 6 CD-Changer,MP3, WMA, 8" Subwoofer, Amplifier</td></tr><tr><td>External Audio Terminals</td><td>AUX & USB</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">
Safety
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">ACTIVE</td></tr><tr><td>Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Brake Assist (BA)</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Vehicle Stability Control System (VSC)</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Traction Control (TRC)</td><td>With (With Sport Mode)</td></tr><tr><td>Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Rear Reverse Camera</td><td>With</td></tr><tr><td>Parking Clearance Sonar Guide</td><td>With (Front and Rear)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">PASSIVE</td></tr><tr><td>Total SRS Airbags</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td>Front Knee Airbags</td><td>Driver & Front Passenger</td></tr><tr><td>ISOFIX Child Seat Tether</td><td>With (Rear seats)</td></tr><tr><td>3-point seatbelts with Pretensioner and Force Limiters</td><td>With (Front seats only)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">
Security
</td></tr><tr><td>Alarm System</td><td>Immobilizer, Security Horn & Intrusion Sensor</td></tr></tbody></table>
