Lexus CT200h Official Commercial 2010

Hugh?
If you owned a lexus ... or read the manual ... or asked the mechanic, or read up from any other source, you wouldn't be worried about having to run premium only. The manual states either grade is ok in our Lexus hybrid SUV. It states 87, but then it says use 91+ for higher performance. Or, see here:

Lexus Hybrid Interactive Guide | RX 400h

Bottom of page:

or here:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-07-30-premiumgas_x.htm

You're only required to run premium if you want to get the rated HP. Fact is, the difference in HP versus cost of regular, makes it more economical to run regular. So hey . . . fear not . . . buy that Lexus if the only hang up was that you thought you had to run premium. Folks that blow the extra few thousand to get a Lexus usually don't worry about paying 29 cents extra per gallon, too.

 

More power without increasing (by as much) the size and weight of the electric motors. It is harder to make electronics do the 650v and they may be more expensive (but not long term) but usually over time features like this will 'trickle down' to cheaper cars.

This feature would probably not reduce mpg if you never used it unlike up-sizing the ICE which forces you to carry extra weight around all the time.

I would estimate the mpg of this car to to be bout 10% less then the Prius due to a little more overall weight and worse aerodynamics. In the MPG world no other luxury car will come close. I also find the car quite attractive inside and out.

I am surprised by the price, $27000 seems a bit low. I would imagine starting at $29,900. At $27000 it will steal sales from the Prius, but that is not really a bad thing as most of the drivetrain is from the Prius.

 

From the picture, I don't see the exhaust heat recovery system.

 

I disagree with this statement about Lexus and gasoline type. Lexus is a luxury brand, so buyers know that it is more premium. I wouldn't be surprised if some Lexus drivers expect to put in premium gas into their cars. I feel that they aren't losing any sales simply because their cars require (or highly recommend) high octane gasoline.

It makes me wonder if Lexus could crank out a few more hp without sacrificing mpg if they tweaked the engine for premium...

 

Wow 650 Volts! They could advertise this car as the world's first "High Voltage Hybrid" and even put it on a badge next to the Lexus name plate. How could anyone resist buying one (or two)???

Keith

 

This is a very promising looking car. I had originally wondered if Toyota would hybridize the Matrix and eventually they will. Makes more sense to add hybrids in the higher price ranges at first.

This ct200H will sell very well.

correction - CT200h

 

Weird, the 2010 Prius is already a 650V platform. Inverter steps it up from a 201.6V NiMH battery. I do wonder if they will use a LiIon battery though.

 

The Prelim Spec said it will use 87 Octane.

Lexus Vehicles : Lexus Announces CT 200h Premium Compact Hybrid For U.S. Market - On Display at 2010 New York International Auto Show / Toyota

 

It will use NiMH as posted above in the Prelim Spec.

 

At every employer I've ever worked for, I always note which side of the building faces south and which side faces west and I park on the side of the building that is in the shade during the first half of the day (west) so that when I go to lunch, my car is not sun-baked when I get into it (plus the UV wear on the plastic is horrible - yellow headlights are a perfect example of what UV does to a car's materials). Whenever I have an opportunity somewhere to park in a parking garage or under a tree or alongside a building (in the shade), I always park in the shade.

But, I completely agree with you that a black interior is terribly hot. I was looking at new and used cars one summer and I literally burned myself when I sat into a black leather seat. I made up my mind real quickly that I didn't want black leather seats.

 

I saw about ten RX 400h vehicles today. Over the past few weeks, I seem to see one or two every day. I think it's becoming an epidemic.

 

Looking at the specs, the CT appears to be Matrix in Lexus drag--just a bit lower. With a wheelbase 4 inches shorter than a Prius, couldn't Toyota for once have considered American drivers and passengers?

 

Here's a dimensions comparison:

200h 170.1 69.5 56.3 102.4
Prius 175.6 68.7 58.7 106.3

So yes, definitely shorter and a little less headroom, but otherwise not bad. Not sure why anyone would expect a compact car to be the same size as the mid-size Prius.

 

So, should I buy one?

(I'm part serious)

My next car will be due in about 12 months from now. My current favorites are: Plug-In Prius, Honda CR-Z, and now this Lexus CT200h. Buy by then, the new prototypes will probably keep me waiting another 12 months. Sheesh! Can't Toyota just make a Lexus version (meaning same care, different emblem, add leather and "fancy stuff") of the of the Plug-In Prius ?

 

i'd go for one.
looks like my matrix.

only more luxurious and better fuel economy

 

Doubtful.
Luxury=more features/gadgets/power=more weight=worse fuel economy.

 

True, except that the Matrix is not a hybrid. So by throwing money at the problem, it could very well get better mpg. Almost certainly better in the city.