Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Lexus CT 200h: A winning combination

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The 2011 Lexus CT 200h offers greener driving but it can still pack a powerful punch when needed. The hybrid has the looks to turn heads, and the interior quality and space you'd expect from the marque

The debate about environmentally friendly cars versus gas guzzlers has been raging for a long time and it has led car manufacturers to take a greater interest in developing engines with improved fuel efficiency.

As a petrolhead, I am enthused about a lot more things in a car than the fact that it can get me from point A to B. Even the shortest drive needs to be fulfilling in every way and it would be a dream come true for me if a vehicle had the power, performance and all the accompanying bells and whistles - and could be ‘green'. Surely that's a tall order?

I find full hybrid cars a lot more fun than electric vehicles simply because the hybrid's electric motor acts as a supplement rather than the main source of power in most driving conditions. At low speeds, the electric motor in a hybrid car is powerful enough, but when there are situations that require quick acceleration, all you need to do is step on the accelerator and the petrol engine kicks in seamlessly, providing the required power and torque. 

Fresh new look

I enjoyed test driving Lexus's flagship hybrid the LS 600h L last year especially because of its power - it had a combined maximum of 483 horsepower. So when the 2011 Lexus CT 200h, Lexus's debut in the compact premium hybrid segment, made its presence in the region, I was keen to get behind the wheel.

The CT 200h's exteriors turned heads during the few days I drove around town and this could be because of the fresh new look and the hatchback design sporting the Hybrid Lexus Logo with the blue tint. The Hybrid tag on the side skirting is bold and instantly recognisable.

Space was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the interiors. Although the CT 200h falls within the compact premium segment, there is ample legroom for passengers in both rows. The seats are comfortable, positioned for a low ride height and offer good back support, especially for long distance travel. The dashboard layout is typical of the Lexus. Like on the RX series, there is a joystick to control the multimedia and navigation interface. Although build quality is good, it could have been better in its flagship models; the finishes of the dashboard and seats could have been raised a few notches.

The small screen behind the steering wheel displays the power sent to the wheels from either the electric motor, the engine or both. The navigation system, like in all Lexus models, is user-friendly and so is the entertainment system, which adds to the car's green credentials with its energy-efficient amplifier and bamboo-charcoal speakers. 

Hitting the road

While I found the interiors and exteriors appealing, I was keen to find out how well the CT 200h compared to the LS 600h L. Agreed, they belong to two different segments, but I was curious about how the smaller engine and electric motor would couple up for the task.

The CT 200h is powered by a 98 horsepower 1.8-litre engine. The electric motor combined with the petrol engine can output a maximum 134 horsepower making it comparable to the output of an average 2.0-litre engine. I did heavy foot on occasions and I found that the engine never failed to provide the power I asked for. In fact it was amazing how the hybrid quietly and seamlessly started up the engine to provide the additional power. That said, I did have to be attentive to feel the engine start up while on the run.

Once I gently accelerated, I could feel the electric motor provide the power and torque to take the CT 200h smoothly and slowly to around 40km/hr. But I soon found cars behind me were honking, asking me to get out of the way. My heavy foot came to the rescue and the 1.8 litre engine started up with the quietness of any other Lexus engine and helped me do a quick lane change to the slow track to allow the cars behind me to whiz by.

Once I got to know the car's power capabilities, the CT 200h was a lot more exciting to drive, simply because I ensured the engine was running at all times. I loved the fact that the Electric Vehicle mode offers a way of having zero emissions while stuck in traffic, but otherwise, it can get a bit frustrating to let the battery work alone, especially on free roads. There is a drive mode selector that lets you move between Sport, Normal and Economy modes, but I could hardly tell the difference.

The CT 200h will not get you from point A to point B quickly. What it can do is get you to your destination with lower emissions, thus making you feel a lot more responsible for the planet and the future. City driving without traffic on the CT 200h requires the additional power of the engine. And with all the 134 horses available, the front-wheel drive system does a good job with a minimum amount of under steer.

On the highways too, the CT 200h is as stable and comfortable as can be expected of any Lexus. It can be a challenge to stick to the fast lane initially, but at speeds above 80 km/hr, the car functions like any other vehicle with a 2.0 litre engine. I was impressed with the dual nature of the CT 200h especially when stuck in slow-moving traffic.

Although the aim to provide an environment-friendly car is a great effort from Lexus, it would have been a lot more appealing with a slightly more powerful engine - and a smaller price tag. 

Inside info

Engine: 98hp, 1.8 litre
Max output: 134hp
Price: Dh160,000 for full options

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