insideKENT Magazine Issue 68 - November 2017 | Page 140

MOTORS
THE 2018 LEXUS CT 200h HYBRID cont.
MORE DRAMATIC EXTERIOR DESIGN CT HYBRID F SPORT
The car’s new look makes a significantly
greater impact, notably with its reworking of
the frontal design. The daytime running lights
keep their arrowhead pattern, but on the
Premier and F Sport Premier Pack models they
have been repositioned so to sit above the
single-projector bi-LED headlights, creating
a continuity of styling with the character lines
that flow down each side of the car.
The grille has a sophisticated new mesh
pattern made up of individual spindle shapes,
and has more prominence thanks to the
removal of an integrated bumper section that
used to divide its upper and lower sections.
Detailed touches include new metallic grey
bezels for the fog lights, set in sharp-edged
surrounds.
There are changes at the rear, too, with
new Lexus L-shaped taillights that create a
wider, sportier look. These are now all-LED
units, with the turn indicators moved to the
lower edge of the unit, strengthening the
overall L-motif. A new tailgate garnish has
been added with a strong rearward flare,
surrounding the Lexus emblem between the
rear glass and the taillights. The lower part of
the rear bumper has been reshaped and given
a new metallic silver and black finish. The rear
reflector bezels have a metallic grey finish to
match the front fog lights. The CT Hybrid F Sport benefits from specific
changes that reinforce its status as the sports-
focused model in the range. These include an
exclusive new mesh pattern and metallic black
finish for the spindle grille. The same mesh
design is used as a backdrop for the fog light
inserts and surrounds.
Also exclusive to the F Sport, the upper
and lower sections of the grille moulding have
a new jet black plating, while there is a new
metallic black lower trim garnish. New high-
grade headlights house a single projector
high/low beam lamp.
For 2018, the CT 200h F Sport will be
available with two distinctive new colours –
Solar Flare and Azure Blue. These shades, plus
Fuji Red and F Sport White can be combined
with a contrast black roof (styled differently
from the bi-tone models).
In the cabin F Sport-exclusive combination
finishes are available, including two-tone
leather upholstery and elegant Naguri-pattern
trim details.
INTERIOR UPDATES
Even at first glance it is easy to appreciate the
status of the CT’s cabin as among the best in
its class, with its high-quality materials, rich
surface textures and attractive “form-follows-
function” styling philosophy.
The Lexus Premium Navigation System
(standard on Premier grade and F Sport with
Premier Pack, optional on Luxury grade)
benefits from a larger screen, increased in size
from seven to 10.3 inches for a clearer display
and greater ease of use, including a handy
split-screen function.
Customers can also choose from a wider
colour palette for the range of upholsteries,
which includes two-tone smooth leather,
combination fabric and durable Tahara
leather-effect material and a new all-fabric
option. Leather options include White,
Sandstone and Red with contrasting black
edging along the sides of the front cushions,
seatbacks and headrests
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NEW EQUIPMENT GRADES
Lexus has taken the opportunity of the revised
CT 200h hybrid’s launch to simplify the
model’s grade structure.
The SE grade is presented as an affordable
entry point to the line-up, equipped with
features such as dual-zone air conditioning,
new-design 16-inch alloy wheels, rain-
sensing wipers, Drive Mode Select, reversing
camera, six speaker audio and seven-inch
Lexus Media Display with rotary controller.
Customers can raise the bar with the SE Plus
Pack, which adds Lexus Safety System+, 17-
inch wheels, rear parking sensors and Lexus
Navigation.
The new Luxury grade adds 17-inch alloys
Smart Entry, heated front seats, rear privacy
glass, front and rear parking sensors and Lexus
Navigation.
The CT 200h F Sport gains specific sports
styling elements inside and out, performance
dampers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror
and Lexus Navigation. Adding the Premier
Pack to the F Sport specification introduces
heated, folding, auto-dimming door mirrors,
F Sport leather upholstery, 13-speaker Mark
Levinson Surround Sound system, LED self-
levelling headlights, Lexus Premium
Navigation, smart keyless entry and front and
rear parking sensors. These additional items
are also included in the CT 200h Premier
specification at the top of the range.
LEXUS SAFETY SYSTEM+
The updated Lexus CT Hybrid adopts Lexus
Safety System+ on all versions above SE grade,
a set of active safety features that can help
prevent or mitigate collisions in a wide range
of traffic situations. Its advanced technology
features include a Pre-Collision System,
Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert
with Lane Keep Assist, Automatic High Beam
and Road Sign Assist.
PERFORMANCE
The CT 200h Hybrid’s powertrain is
unchanged, yet continues to be the leader in
its segment in CO2 emissions, with official
combined cycle figures from 88g/km (using
16-inch wheels). It also addresses increased
customer awareness of air quality issues with
low NOx and near-zero particulate emissions.
Even though the system has a maximum
power output of 134bhp, its official fuel
economy figures rival more modest
competitors – from 74.3mpg (combined).
This level of performance translates into
a competitive cost-of-ownership profile,
including first-year Benefit-in-Kind company
car tax ratings from 17 per cent.
Lexus Tunbridge Wells
01892 700400
www.tunbridgewells.lexus.co.uk