Lexus CT

Introduction

Lexus, the luxury division of the elite Japanese automaker Toyota, is known worldwide for producing vehicles equipped with advanced engines and sumptuous interiors. However, this time, the carmaker has come up with a sensational innovation called Lexus CT, a 5 door hybrid hatchback. The CT Hybrid was first introduced at the 2010 New York international auto show and ever since then the car has been receiving a tremendous response from the customers worldwide. CT in Lexus CT Hybrid stands for Compact Touring. The compact executive car is sporty with transverse front engine layout and is available as a front wheel drive. Lexus Malaysia is already with strong zeal to gain a decent market share in hybrid segment of the ASEAN country.

Engine, Mileage and Variant

The Lexus CT is a hybrid that defines that it is powered by both fuel engines as well as electric motor. The CT is powered by a blend of 1.8-litre in-line 4 cylinder Twin Cam hybrid engine which supports Electric Fuel injection system churning out a 99 hp at 5200 rpm coupled with a peak torque of 142 Nm at 2800 rpm and an electric motor churning out a maximum power of 82 hp alongwith 207 Nm of torque. The car hits a century mark on the speedometer in a quick time span of 10.3 seconds. The average fuel consumption for this Hybrid car is found to be 4.1 litres for a stretch of 100 kilometres which is quite economical as compared to the power deliverd by the car.

Exterior

The Lexus' CT is a smart drive and that truly reflects the design of this car. It protrudes a next gen look which is simple yet impressive. The front fascia of the car features the signature Lexus 'X' shaped honeycomb grille housing front headlamps and fog lamps. The CT represents a wide set of athletic lines that flows all through the Hybrid making it more aerodynamic while reaching high speeds. The CT features an aesthetic black roofline which extends to the rear spoiler generating a perfect silhouette to the car. However, the rear somehow pretends to be a wagon which is quite usual in the Lexus designs. The Hybrid measures 4320 mm in length, 1765 mm in width and 1430 mm in height along with a wheelbase of 2600 mm which makes the car decently spacious inside. The Lexus CT is anchored on the ground over its 16-inch alloy wheels which are wrapped up in 205/55 R16 rubbers.

Interior

Slide inside the Japanese Hybrid and witness a whole new generation of technology embedded in a car. The Lexus CT offers an ergonomically designed cockpit which offers a plethora of buttons, controls and equipment giving the car a straight out of James Bond movie feeling. The car features power slide and tilt moonroof with one-touch auto open-close feature and a sliding sunshade as well. The steering and other parts of the dashboard including the meter head and the central console are coated with leather. Lexus CT proffers a diverse infotainment system which supports all the devices normally used for the input including DVD/CD, USB, Aux, and Bluetooth. It is connected to the Lexus navigation system and 10 speaker setup. Apart from all this the CT offers a massive boot space of 375 liters which can be further accentuated to 985 liters with rear seats folded.

Safety

Lexus CT can be comfortably cruised to high speeds without being formidable of the safety features as the Japanese car-maker has diligently induced a lot of them. The car is made up of high tensile metal sheets and effective zones for the impact resistance. It is composed of a various number of safety aspects including anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, multiple airbags, electronic stability program and traction control. The car has already received a 5 star Euro NCAP rating in crash test making it a trustworthy safety choice. Other safety featured standardized in Lexis CT Hybrid are Electronic Controlled braking, Regenerative braking system, eight airbags system, a brake assist system and a collapsible steering column with side-impact door beams.

Verdict:

Lexus CT can be regarded as one of the most reliable and fuel efficient hybrids cars equipped with advanced safety and comfort features. Coming from the house of Lexus, it a luxurious marvel with the fuel efficient hybrid nature. However it's price tag and the dull market space for hybrid vehicles in Malaysia might not get the CT the fame it deserves.