Lexus has taken a completely different approach with its first compact premium hatchback. Though clearly meant to rival the likes of BMW's 1 Series and Audi's A3, the CT 200h prioritises economy over performance with its hybrid drivetrain from the Toyota Prius.
Time will tell whether the younger target audience that Lexus is targeting with this car actually takes the green piece of bait offered here but if nothing else this new contender should prove a distinctive, if somewhat exclusive, offering.
Two versions are now available in South Africa, an entry-level S model priced at R343 300 and an F-Sport that comes in at R398 500.
Its powertrain, which is not going to provide much in the way of performance for the money, mates an Atkinson cycle 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol motor to a 60kW/207Nm electric motor. The petrol engine delivers 73kW at 5200rpm and 142Nm between 2800 and 4400rpm while the total system output amounts to 100kW.
Economy is the keyword here, with its maker claiming a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.1 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 94g/km, slotting it among the greenest cars available on the market.
As with its Prius cousin, this Lexus is a full hybrid that's able to run on either the petrol or electric motor alone, but it will run on a combination of the two most of the time. A CVT continuously variable transmission keeps the two motors in sync, while also adapting to each specific driving situation.
Despite the CT's highly pragmatic focus, and the fact that performance is not exactly sparkling, Lexus has put a lot of effort into making this car a rewarding drive. The entirely new platform has been given the lowest centre of gravity possible and the body has been engineered for extremely high rigidity.
The CT 200h also offers four driving modes, these being EV, Eco, Normal and Sport. These settings alter the responsiveness of the throttle and steering and also the 'mood' inside the car - Eco mode providing a hybrid power metre on the dash, with soft blue lighting, and Sport switching the screen to a rev counter and rousing the driver with a red hue.
As we've come to expect from Lexus, there's no shortage of kit in the cabin. Even the most basic model, the S, comes with heated leather seats, dual zone climate control, keyless start and Bluetooth with voice command. Safety assurance comes in the form of a five-star EuroNCAP rating and eight airbags.
The F-Sport model adds eight-way electrically adjustable sports seats and cruise control, while visual distinction comes in the form of 17-inch alloy wheels (the S comes with 16-inch alloys), LED headlights and a larger boot spoiler.
F-Sport customers can also opt for a convenience package that adds a full colour monitor with HDD navigation, reverse camera and an upgraded sound system among other things.