Topic: 2011 Lexus Matrix CT200h.....a Lexus Matrix with Batteries?

[Mike]

I am not sold on this car.  With the current slow sales of the HS250h, I am not sure this willdo much better.  I think they made it too Matrix looking (it is on the same platform after all) and less prius looking.  It may sell well, but we all know how much Noth Americans fear the Hatchback.....add to that a luxury marque, compact dinemsions, fwd and a hybrid powertrain and I think there is a very small market.

Maybe not?  What are your thoughts?

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q4/2011_lexus_ct200h_hybrid-first_drive_review

[Mike]

More first drives and articles

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/1010_2011_lexus_ct_200h_drive/index.html

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/impressions/2011-lexus-ct-200h

[Ex-airbalancer]

Matrix looking 

I think it looks more mazda 3

Pix of when it was in Toronto
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=33621&id=156738884343588&ref=mf

I think it will sell

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I think it looks awkward, and like a squished down RX. And I happen to really dig the RX's styling.

Best angle is the rear... find that rather attractive. The side with the rear door window line less so (although unique), and the front is too squared and just boring. Interior looks nicely done (love the bamboo with the synthetic coloured leather stuff - not that it'll be offered here), however I fear it will be EXTREMELY tight in there. The Lexus IS and HS are already small, and when I saw the Autoblog comparisons to this and the A3 yesterday it just reaffirmed my suspicions.

Really depends on how they price this, and the space inside. I don't think it'll be a big success, but it ought to catch on more than the HS.  

[vdk]

 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

That too 

[Mike]

Yup, Mazda 3 is the winner 

[Seafoam]

Yup, Mazda 3 is the winner 

Yes, until you see the front end on the 3  however.

[Ice]

I think the fear of hatchbacks is over or nearly over in NA. SUV's were so popular that the idea of a hatch isn't a killer and I can see some types of people springing for an efficient luxury hybrid. The problem with the HS250h is (aside from too many "H"s in the name) that it's a hybrid without really having top level fuel economy. It's just a relatively boring luxury car that is a hybrid but isn't really that impressive.  This at least uses the same Prius powertrain and while the fuel economy isn't quite as good... it's reasonably close.

I think this has a better chance than the HS250h but I'm not sure how well it will do in the end.

Styling is alright... I'm surprised at how Matrix like it is although it definitely looks somewhat better. You know...if I was made of money I might buy one too.

[rrocket]

I think the fear of hatchbacks is over or nearly over in NA. SUV's were so popular that the idea of a hatch isn't a killer and I can see some types of people springing for an efficient luxury hybrid. The problem with the HS250h is (aside from too many "H"s in the name) that it's a hybrid without really having top level fuel economy. It's just a relatively boring luxury car that is a hybrid but isn't really that impressive.  This at least uses the same Prius powertrain and while the fuel economy isn't quite as good... it's reasonably close.

I think this has a better chance than the HS250h but I'm not sure how well it will do in the end.

Styling is alright... I'm surprised at how Matrix like it is although it definitely looks somewhat better. You know...if I was made of money I might buy one too.

I thought the HS250h was excellent in my weekly loaner use of it as far as mileage.  But indeed, it wasn't thrilling to drive...though I'm sure that was never the mission.  It's also not very pretty. (kinda ugly)

The CT200 is supposed to very fun to drive (unlike the HS250) and it delivers excellent mileage..and will cost significantly less.  So it will definitely do better than the HS250.

[JSCC]

I thought it was based on the European Toyota Auris. 

[rrocket]

I thought it was based on the European Toyota Auris. 

The CT200H and Auris both use the Scion Xb platform...

[Ex-airbalancer]

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/09/higher-performance-more-efficient-lexus-ct200h-models-under-consideration.html

During a product presentation of the CT200h at the car’s global launch just outside Paris, France, Lexus College manager Paul Williamsen went out of his way to point out that the current battery pack located in the rear of the CT doesn’t take up all of the space. The larger area, “could ‘theoretically’ be used to put a larger battery pack with increased capacity,” he said.

This news coincides with previous reports that Lexus has also filed for patents on the CT300h and CT400h names.

Currently the CT uses a hybrid powertrain similar to that found in the Prius, making 134-hp and delivering a 0-60 mph time of 9.8 seconds.

In addition, Osamu Sadakata, Chief engineer for Lexus hybrid vehicles told media present that both a plug-in hybrid version of the CT200h as well as a version using a more efficient and compact lithium-ion battery pack are possible. Sadakata said the shift to lithium-ion battery technology is, “the way of the future”  and that a Li-On CT is “technically possible,” but stopped short of confirming a CT using the more advanced technology.