Newsroom Lexus Europe

LEXUS NAMED BRITAIN’S MOST RELIABLE AUTO BRAND IN ‘WHICH?’ CAR RELIABILITY SURVEY

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +0200

Lexus cars have again been declared the most dependable on the market with the brand taking the top ranking in the newly published Which? car reliability survey.

The consumer champion’s detailed study produced its findings from the real-world experiences and opinions of more than 47,000 UK motorists, covering almost 59,000 individual vehicles. Lexus secured its leading status with a fault-free report for the CT 200h hatchback and a near-perfect performance from the NX mid-size SUV. The results covered vehicles from new to three years old and three to eight years old.

The glowing report from Which? states: “Got the money for a Lexus? Do it. You might just forget what a mechanic’s waiting room looks like.”

A key factor in Lexus’s impressive performance is its self-charging hybrid technology. Which? highlights the proven durability and mechanical simplicity of the electrified system in making Lexus cars more resilient to faults. Lexus introduced hybrid to the UK premium market in 2005, since when it has constantly improved its performance and efficiency and extended it across its entire model range; today hybrids account for 99.8 per cent of its UK new car sales.

Ewan Shepherd, Director of Lexus in the UK said: “The results of the thorough research carried out by Which? are a further validation of the lasting quality and craftmanship engineered into every Lexus model. Making cars that people can rely on, year after year, is fundamental to our business and goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to always providing the highest standards of customer service.”

More information about the Lexus CT can be found here: https://www.lexus.eu/car-models/ct/

More information about the Lexus NX can be found here: https://www.lexus.eu/car-models/nx/

With more than 1.3 million members and supporters, Which? (https://www.which.co.uk/) is the largest independent consumer body in the UK.

LEADING UK CONSUMER ASSOCIATION CROWNS LEXUS AS MOST RELIABLE BRAND

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 08:58:37 +0200

With five-star ratings for reliability across its range and four cars commended with ‘Best Buy’ status, Lexus leads the way in this year’s Which? Car Guide.

The Which? report, based on its own extensive tests and consumer feedback on reliability from more than 40,000 car owners, names the UK’s best and worst car buys. Which? is a brand name used by the Consumers' Association, the largest consumer organisation in the UK.

Faring particularly well in the diverse and fiercely competitive larger SUV segment, the Lexus RX took the prized Which? ‘Our Pick’ spot. As well as being noted for ticking all of the boxes as a luxury SUV, Which? customer survey results position the range-topping Lexus hybrid SUV as “one of the most reliable new cars you can buy”.

Another class leader, the Lexus CT 200h takes top spot as the Which? ‘Our Pick’ medium car. Survey results show that 94 per cent of CT 200h remain trouble-free in the first three years of ownership, proving it to be the most reliable medium car you can buy new today.

Alongside the recognition for individual vehicles, the Which? Car Guide places Lexus as its carmaker of the year in its brand reliability table, with 64 per cent of Lexus models on sale receiving ‘Best Buy’ status.

Full list of Lexus accolades:

Category Model Status

Medium cars Lexus CT 200h (2011-) Our Pick and Best Buy

Used large cars Lexus IS (2005-2012) Best Buy

Used large cars Lexus LS (2007-2012) Best Buy

Larger SUVs Lexus RX Hybrid (2015-) Our Pick and Best Buy

HYBRID DRIVES CONTINUED SALES GROWTH FOR LEXUS IN EUROPE

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 14:00:00 +0200

Lexus Europe* sold 38,543 vehicles in the first half of 2018, an increase of 7% vs. last year
Self-charging hybrid vehicles represented 95% of sales in Western and Central Europe
Sales increase led by renewed NX and CT, as well as continued success of RX
More than 1,000 units of LC flagship luxury coupe delivered in Europe since launch
Lexus well on its way to deliver 100,000 sales in Europe by 2020

Lexus continued growing at a steady pace in Europe in the first half of 2018. In a flat premium market, Lexus sales have increased by 7% to reach 38,543 units. Significant growth was recorded in several key markets, such as Spain (+19%), Russia (+9%), Poland (+9%), and UK (+7%).

With 24,029 self-charging hybrid vehicles sold in Europe in the first half of 2018 (+5% vs. Jan-Jun 2017), Lexus is a leading player in electrification. Self-charging hybrids represent 95% of Lexus sales in Western and Central Europe.

Lexus’ mid-size SUV, the NX, remains the brand’s best seller in Europe with 15,365 units (+15% vs. Jan-Jun 2017), capitalizing on the renewed model introduced last year. The RX large SUV came second with 8,995 units (+2%), already benefiting from the recent launch of its 7-seat version, the RX L. Supported by a product refresh introduced in the autumn of 2017, the CT compact hatchback also achieved a strong performance in the first semester of 2018, with a sales increase of 10% to reach 4,831 units.

With the recent introduction of two flagship models, the LC luxury coupe and the 5^th generation LS luxury sedan, Lexus demonstrated the brand’s passion for bold design, imaginative technologies, exhilarating performance and takumi craftsmanship at the highest level. Market response is very strong: the LC has already seduced more than 1,000 customers in Europe since start of sales one year ago, while LS sales already reached 676 units since January 2018.

*Lexus Europe sales include the European Union countries, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, as well as the following Eastern markets: Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Caucasus region, Turkey and Israel.

THE REFRESHED CT 200h

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 09:00:00 +0100

THE REFRESHED CT 200h

SPORTIER STYLING, INTERIOR UPDATES AND INNOVATIVE EQUIPMENT

Updated exterior and interior styling for Lexus’ original hybrid luxury compact hatchback
Revised, more modern frontal design and new alloy wheel designs
New interior colour options and larger Lexus Navigation System display
Specific design upgrades for the CT 200h
Range now available with Lexus Safety System + active safety and driver assistance features

INTRODUCTION

When the Lexus the CT 200h made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, it was the first compact hybrid hatchback to be launched in the luxury automobile segment. It has gone on to become one of the brand’s best-selling hybrids: Lexus has sold more than 300,000 CT 200h globally since launch in 2011, including about 75,000 in Europe, one the largest markets for the model.

With this latest update, Lexus looks to build on the CT 200h’s strengths and its well-earned reputation for efficiency and reliability, introducing a refreshed exterior that extends its driver-appeal – without compromising its user-friendliness and fuel economy.

Chika Kako, Chief Engineer of the CT 200h, summed up the impact of the changes: “The CT 200h has been refreshed and revitalised by enhancing its progressiveness. Its updated design is more emotional and sporty, making it the ideal premium hybrid compact car for younger customers who enjoy spirited driving, but care about the environment.”

Exterior design: a more dramatic presence

Designers have crafted a stronger look for the CT 200h with a number of new exterior details, including a cleaner, more prominent arrangement of the signature Lexus spindle grille and front bumper and repositioning of the arrowhead daytime running lights above new single-projector LED headlamp units. Changes have also been to the rear of the vehicle with a new garnish and treatment of the lower rear bumper section, and new 15 and 17-inch wheel designs have been introduced.

Interior updates

The cabin continues to express Lexus quality and craftsmanship its use of fine trim and upholstery materials, rich surface textures and a “form-follows-function” styling philosophy. According to the multimedia system selected, the central display screen has been enlarged – up to 10.3 inches for the Lexus Premium Navigation – for clearer presentation and greater ease of use. The range of interior colourways has also been increased.

CT 200h F SPORT

The CT 200h 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 for the spindle grille with a metallic black finish, bold new exterior colours, a two-tone paint finish option and new interior seat upholstery and trim choices.

Lexus Safety System +

Another welcome addition to the updated Lexus CT 200h is the availability of the Lexus Safety System + that offers enhanced safety with advanced technologies such as a Pre-Collision System (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist Alert (LKA) with Sway Warning, Automatic High Beam (AHB) headlights, and Road Sign Assist (RSA). For full details, please refer to the separate Lexus Safety System + chapter.

Design and on-board technologies

SOPHISTICATED EXTERIOR DESIGN

The CT 200h’s exterior styling is dynamic and sophisticated, aimed at a younger customer demographic.

An evolution of Lexus’ signature spindle grille has its centre pushed forwards to create a powerful, three-dimensional form, while contributing to the highly aerodynamic shape of the bonnet, lower bumper and front fenders.

For 2018, the grille’s visual impact has been increased by introducing a new mesh pattern and redesigning the front bumper, dispensing with the integrated horizontal bar that ran beneath the central Lexus emblem. The horizontal bars within the grille have also been removed to create a more coherent and eye-catching look.

The headlamps feature projector LEDs with a smoked metallic finish. The daytime running lights keep their “arrowhead” shape, but have been repositioned above the headlights. The fog lights, located at the further edges of the front bumper, have gained a new metallic grey finish to their bezels and distinctive, sharp-edged, triangular frames.

The choice of wheel designs has been refreshed, contributing to the car’s attractive profile view. They range in size from 15 to 17-inch diameter and include dark metallic 17-inch rims for the F SPORT model and a new 10-spoke 16-inch wheel with a contrasting black and machined finish.

There are changes at the rear, too, with new Lexus L-shaped taillights that create a wider, sportier look. The lights are now all-LED units, with the turn indicators moved to the lower edge of the unit, strengthening the overall L-motif. The upper and lower lines of the light-emitting section of the taillights thicken as they curve outwards, accentuating the width of the units and giving the rear of the car the sense of a strong, stable presence.

A new garnish has been added to the back door, enveloping 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, and the rear reflector bezels have a metallic grey finish to match the front fog lights.

REFINED INTERIOR AND EQUIPMENT

The CT 200h’s cabin is defined by its comfort, high equipment specifications levels and use of fine quality materials with excellent visual and tactile quality. The latest changes maintain its status one of the best interiors in its class.

While the cabin is spacious and airy, the driver’s environment is a snug, highly focused cockpit, with a low-set seat, wide-grip steering wheel, high-visibility Optitron dials, optimally positioned pedals and ergonomically arrayed controls with advanced human-machine interface technologies. The shape, form and tactile quality of each interior component has been carefully considered, an attention to detail that’s evident in the brushed metal finish of the door handle bezel and the Drive Mode Select switch and the quality of the shift lever.

The principal change for 2018 is the adoption of a much larger display screen for the Lexus Navigation systems, increased in size from seven to 10.3 inches, making it easier for the driver to see and assimilate information and data.

The driver’s instrument binnacle features Optitron meters and, where Lexus Premium Navigation is specified, a 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information screen. The information menu can be controlled using switches on the steering wheel, or by the using central multimedia display.

Connectivity and entertainment features include twin port, multi-USB compatibility; a USB-stored photo display function; a MirrorLink function (LDA); album cover art display; and a cache radio function which records 20 minutes of a programme for replay if missed.

In a perfect example of Lexus Omotenashi hospitality, the CT 200h has a welcome lighting arrangement which illuminates selected exterior and interior lights for 15 seconds when the vehicle is unlocked. There is also a Follow Me Home system which activates the headlamps and selected other lighting for between 30 and 120 seconds. Interior lights are automatically extinguished 20 minutes after the ignition is switched off.

MULTIMEDIA AND NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

The full colour display for the Lexus Premium Navigation and Lexus Navigation systems in the 2018 CT 200h has been increased in size from seven to 10.3 inches, for greater ease of use, including a split-screen function that allows different information and functions to be presented simultaneously with the navigation map.

Lexus Premium Navigation is provided together with a bespoke 13-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Audio in highest-grade versions of the CT 200h. It offers sophisticated features for improved journey planning and on-board connectivity, including access to connected services (via a compatible smartphone) and multi-lingual voice recognition.

Both this and the Lexus Navigation system (combined with a six-speaker audio package) are controlled using Lexus’ Remote Touch Interface. This is designed for easy, intuitive operation, working in a similar way to a computer mouse with push-entry control. It is linked to a cursor on the display that can be moved quickly and easily to access the audio, navigation, climate control, phone and vehicle set-up systems.

The Lexus Display Audio continues to use a seven-inch colour display, operated using a rotary dial control.

LEXUS HYBRID DRIVE

The CT 200h introduced Lexus’ second generation petrol-electric self-charging hybrid technology to the premium compact segment. It benefits from an Energy Management System which ensures quiet running, seamless acceleration and the kind of performance customers expect from a premium segment hatchback.

Advances have been made in emissions and fuel economy through the successful application of engine technologies, including the adoption of the Atkinson cycle for the petrol engine, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and exhaust heat recovery (EHR).

The engine’s environmental performance is further supported by other energy-saving and eco-focused measures. These include an energy-saving air conditioning system, extensive use of LED lighting and even a lightweight and energy-efficient audio system. Furthermore, a range of bio-materials are used in place of oil-based plastics in different areas of the vehicle.

The system combines a 99 DIN hp/73kW, 1,798cc Atkinson Cycle petrol engine with a powerful, 82 DIN hp/60kW electric motor. Total output is 136 DIN hp/100kW, enabling smooth, seamless acceleration from nought to 100km/h in 10.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 180km/h. Conversely, the CT 200h achieves remarkably low fuel consumption, with combined cycle figures from just 3.6l/100km and class-leading CO₂ emissions from 82g/km, supporting excellent cost-of-ownership.

Lexus Hybrid Drive further helps protect air quality by producing significantly lower NOx and particulate emissions that an equivalent diesel-powered vehicle. Moreover, when operating in all-electric EV mode, it generates no harmful tailpipe emissions and uses no petrol.

Driving Dynamics

Drive Mode Select

As well as the full hybrid powertrain’s Normal drive mode, three on-demand drive modes – EV, ECO and SPORT – can be selected, adapting the vehicle’s performance to suit the driver’s mood or the road conditions. According to the mode chosen, priority is given to driving efficiency, fuel economy and emissions, or performance and dynamic handling.

EV, ECO and Normal modes place the emphasis on a relaxing drive From start-up and at speeds below 45km/h, the CT 200h will automatically operate in EV mode for short distances when conditions permit, running solely on its electric motor, with zero tailpipe emissions and minimal noise.

In ECO mode, throttle response to aggressive use of the accelerator is reduced and control of the air conditioning is adjusted to achieve better fuel economy. SPORT mode is tuned to deliver more power from the electric motor, creating a more dynamic driving mood to make the most of the CT 200h’s performance and agility. SPORT mode also brings less intrusive operation of the Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control.

The panel illumination, mode select switch and a central spotlight in the instrument cluster automatically change from blue to red when Sport is selected, and the Hybrid System Indicator changes function to become a tachometer.

RIDE AND HANDLING

The CT 200h has been specifically developed to combine superior handling and a dynamic driving experience with the ride comfort expected on any Lexus.

Superior handling stability is assured through the high structural rigidity of the body shell, a low centre of gravity and minimal yaw inertia moment through the use of lightweight aluminium bonnet, tailgate and bumper reinforcements.

The front MacPherson strut suspension system combines with fully-independent double wishbone rear suspension to offer high levels of ride comfort and handling.

The CT 200h was the first Lexus to adopt a lateral performance damper system, designed to absorb and minimise body vibrations while promoting a linear steering feel and ride comfort.

Superior body rigidity is supported by extensive spot-welding in strategic locations and the use of structural adhesives in the lower bodyshell. This rigidity allowed for the suspension to be retuned, with adjustments to springs rates and thicker rear stabiliser bar, securing a more comfortable ride without sacrificing handling agility.

The electric power steering has also been optimised in conjunction with the increased bodyshell stiffness, together with high-rigidity steering column mount to improve steering feel and responsiveness.

Lexus CT 200h F SPORT

The F SPORT model continues to stand apart in the CT 200h range with dedicated styling elements that give it much greater road presence and driver appeal.

These qualities have been rendered even stronger by a series of changes introduced for the new 2018 model.

On the outside, these are led by a new, exclusive mesh pattern for the spindle grille, with a black metallic finish. The same mesh pattern is applied to the fog lamp inserts and surrounds. The black theme is also witnessed in the new plating on the upper and lower front grille moulding and the central lower trim garnish at the rear of the vehicle.

The LED headlights have changed to single-projector for both high and low beam illumination.

There are strong new colour choices for the F SPORT models as well, with the addition of Lava Orange CS (Crystal Sunshine) and Heat Blue CL (Contrast Layering). Customers can also choose the option of new two-tone exterior paint finishes, combining coloured body work with a contrasting black roof.

There are also new upholstery, finishes and colour choices for the F SPORT cabin, including two-tone leather and exclusive Naguri trim detailing, representing fine-quality Lexus Takumi craftsmanship.

The F SPORT interior is further distinguished by aluminium pedals and scuff plates, a perforated leather steering wheel and dimpled leather shift lever, and F SPORT badging.

Styling apart, the CT 200h F SPORT also benefits from specific coil spring settings and optimised front/rear roll rigidity distribution to provide sportier driving dynamics.

LEXUS SAFETY SYSTEM +

The benefits of Lexus’ advanced safety technologies have been extended to the refreshed CT 200h.

This comprehensive upgrade of the cars’ safety provisions means that almost all new Lexus models sold in Europe now benefit from Lexus Safety System +. This is true to Lexus’ “democratisation” strategy to make these safety technologies available to a greater number of customers, at an affordable price. It also reflects the brand’s commitment to improving road safety for all – driver, vehicle occupants, pedestrians and other road users alike – with ultimate aim of eliminating traffic accidents.

The Lexus Safety System + includes features which monitor the car’s surroundings and the driver’s responses, recognising certain collision risks and providing support to help prevent a collision happening, or lessening the consequences should an impact be unavoidable.

Pre-Collision System

Lexus’ Pre-Collision system (PCS) can help the driver avoid a collision, or lessen the consequences of an impact, even at high speed.

PCS uses a millimetre-wave radar and camera mounted on the front of the car to scan the road ahead to detect obstacles or hazards. It functions both when driving straight ahead and when cornering. It also computes data collected from sensors around the car monitoring factors such as vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate inputs. This information helps the PCS determine the risk of a rear-end collision with a vehicle ahead.

If it calculates a high risk of an impact, it will trigger a warning buzzer and light up a “BRAKE” command in the multi-information display to alert the driver to take action. The moment the brake pedal is pressed, the system initiates a Pre-Collision Brake to provide optimum braking force. This can achieve deceleration of up to 40km/h, slowing the vehicle to reduce the severity of any impact, or potentially bringing the car to a stop before an impact occurs.

If the driver fails to respond to the alerts and does not apply the brakes, the Pre-Collision Brake will automatically deploy to reduce the vehicle’s speed.

PCS also provides a pedestrian protection function. If a pedestrian is detected in the vehicle’s path, automatic braking will be activated. This operates when the Lexus is travelling at between 10 and 80km/h.

Adaptive Cruise Control

The PCS’ radar is also used to provide Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which helps the driver maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. On the new CT it will operate at speeds above 40km/h.

Once the way ahead is clear, the ACC will automatically and smoothly accelerate the vehicle back to its pre-selected cruising speed. If the car has been brought to a halt, the driver simply has to press the accelerator briefly for the system to be reactivated.

The ACC can operate in two modes: constant speed control, like a conventional cruise control system, or vehicle-to-vehicle distance control. With the latter mode, the driver can set long, medium or short vehicle-to-vehicle distances, according to preference or traffic conditions. The control settings selected are shown on the multi-information display.

Lane Keeping Assist

Lane Keeping Assist uses the PCS camera, mounted on the windscreen behind the rear-view mirror, to track the vehicle’s course between lane markings painted on the road surface. If it detects that car is moving out of its lane without the turn indicators being used, it will light up a warning on the multi-information display and sound a buzzer, prompting the driver to steer back to the correct path. In addition to the alert function, the system will also apply force to the steering in order to assist the driver in avoiding lane departure.

Lane Keeping Assist also provides a Sway Warning function. This monitors the car’s position in its lane on the highway and the driver’s steering inputs. If it detects degrees of vehicle swaying, caused by driver distraction or drowsiness, it will sound an alert and display a warning on the multi-information display, recommending the driver takes a break.

Automatic High Beam system

On the revised CT 200h, Automatic High Beam improves the driver’s night-time visibility by automatically switching the headlights to low beam when the lights of oncoming traffic or vehicles ahead are detected. This means the headlights high beam is used for the maximum amount of time, but with no risk of dazzling other motorists.

Road Sign Assist

Road Sign Assist recognises traffic signs using the windscreen-mounted camera, repeating the information on the multi-information display. This helps prevent the risk of the driver failing to notice important warnings or commands on major routes, including speed limits and lane closures. The system can detect signs that are designed according to the international standards of the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.

LEXUS AT THE 2017 FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: TWO EUROPEAN PREMIERES AND A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE LEXUS BRAND

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 09:00:00 +0200

European premieres for the new NX crossover and refreshed CT compact hatchback
All-new LS and LC also on show, together with examples of Lexus’ creative collaborations on cinema, fashion, design and lifestyle projects
Lexus pioneers a new “press conference on demand” concept

EUROPEAN PREMIERES FOR THE NEW LEXUS NX AND REFRESHED CT

Lexus will host two European product premieres at the upcoming Frankfurt International Motor Show, presenting the new NX luxury compact crossover and the refreshed CT premium compact hatchback.

As a nimble urban crossover, the NX has enjoyed rapid success since its launch three years ago. The appeal of its expressive styling, spacious packaging, comfort, safety and driving dynamics have helped the model make a significant contribution to Lexus’ global sales growth. It is now poised to exceed customer expectations with updated exterior styling, interior enhancements and equipment features with improved convenience and functionality.

Lexus introduced the compact hybrid hatchback to the luxury car market with the debut of the CT 200h at the 2010 Geneva motor show. With this latest update, the model has undergone evolutionary changes with sportier styling, an enhanced cabin and new equipment features. These have been designed to build on the model’s established strengths and add to its reputation for efficiency, reliability and driver-appeal.

LEXUS BRAND ICONS ON DISPLAY

The new NX and refreshed CT will share the spotlight with Lexus’ two new flagship models: the all-new LS flagship sedan and LC luxury coupe. These halo vehicles best exemplify Lexus’ new global communications strategy and tagline, “Experience Amazing”, and are central to one of the busiest years in the brand’s history.

To assert its status as a global luxury lifestyle brand, Lexus is also presenting some of its recent creative collaborations in the worlds of fashion, cinema and design.

These include the futuristic SKYJET featured in Luc Besson’s sci-fi epic Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, which premiered in cinemas worldwide this summer. Lexus worked with the film’s creative team to bring to life their vision of the SKYJET, a single-seat pursuit craft that plays a central role in the movie’s action sequences.

A RADICAL NEW APPROACH TO THE MOTOR SHOW PRESS CONFERENCE

In line with its pioneering spirit, Lexus is going to redefine the traditional press conference, with a radical new way of communicating news to the media at Frankfurt motor show.

Its new, disruptive approach is another example of how Lexus is applying the human-centred principles of Omotenashi – the best traditions of Japanese hospitality – to deliver the highest standards of service.

There will be no fixed time for a Lexus press conference during the busy press day schedule. Instead, media representatives can call at the Lexus booth at a time that suits them, equip themselves with a pair of augmented reality glasses and make a “guided tour” of the stand with commentaries and presentations by Alain Uyttenhoven, Head of Lexus Europe, and Lexus product specialists.

The Lexus booth will be located in Hall 8.0, stand A20. The press conference presentation will be available on-demand at any time during the show’s press days (12 and 13 September).

LEXUS TOPS THE 2016 WHICH? CAR SURVEY

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Brand best-rated best for vehicle reliability

Lexus has no peers when it comes to reliability, being the only manufacturer accorded a top five-star rating in the 2016 Which? Car Survey.

The survey results were calculated from the real-world ownership experiences of almost 60,000 people, taking into account issues such breakdowns, repair costs, common faults and the number of days vehicles have had to be taken off the road to correct problems.

Lexus achieved strong results across the board in the Which? guide to the best new and used buys in different market categories. The NX crossover was named the best compact SUV on the new car market, with a five-star reliability rating, while the second and third generation RX models were revealed as the two best large SUVs for used vehicle customers. The IS and GS saloons also achieved top-four placings in the large and luxury car categories, while the CT 200h hatchback was given a “best buy” recommendation among new medium-size models.

Ewan Shepherd, Lexus Director, said: “Which? is respected worldwide for the accuracy and thoroughness of its product testing and investigations, which makes this result especially rewarding for us. Lexus’s reputation is built on not just developing excellent vehicles, but also on providing our customers with an exceptional ownership experience, so it is hugely encouraging to receive such positive feedback and support for what we are delivering with our model range and the service we are providing in our showrooms and workshops.”

Which? is not alone in finding that Lexus provides lasting quality and satisfaction, new or old. This year’s Auto Express Driver Power survey was an unprecedented success for Lexus, with models claiming first, second and three other places in the top 10, and Autocar declaring the IS executive sports saloon its Used Car of the Year.

LEXUS’ INDUSTRY-LEADING RELIABILITY PRAISED BY UK CAR OWNERS

Fri, 27 May 2016 05:00:00 +0200

Autocar ‘Used Car of the Year’ Award goes to Lexus IS
Lexus dominates Auto Express ‘Most Reliable Used Car’ List

Brussels, Belgium - The annual AUTOCAR AWARDS recognise some of the industry’s most significant cars and characters. Lexus is pleased to communicate that the Lexus IS has won the coveted Autocar Used Car of the Year 2016 award.

Explaining its decision, Autocar said: “What we have seen and heard from owners, mechanics and the car trade convinced us that there is no other model so deserving of the title. The simple fact is that no one has a bad word to say about their Lexus IS.”

Autocar Editorial Director Jim Holder, added: “We selected the Lexus because it’s inexpensive to buy, has a reliability record that’s the envy of the industry and it’s extremely cost-effective to run.”

Combining elegance with sporty dynamism, the IS offers the perfect balance of luxurious comfort and performance. Since the launch of the first generation IS in 1999, Lexus has already sold more than 180,000 units in Europe. The 2016 range includes the full hybrid IS 300h and the new IS 200t, powered by a 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine.

Lexus has also dominated the AUTO EXPRESS 2016 DRIVER POWER SURVEY, with Lexus models topping three categories for the UK’s most reliable used cars.

Our three winning models were the IS as the most reliable used compact executive car, the RX as the most reliable used 4×4 or SUV, and the GS as the most reliable used executive car. Our CT was also runner-up in the most reliable compact family cars category.

The 2016 Driver Power car customer satisfaction survey asked 50,000 UK car owners how they rated their cars for reliability, with the data providing an invaluable insight for anyone considering the purchase of a new car. This is a good indicator of what real owners think of their cars, across a wide range of categories including reliability, build quality, handling, performance, running costs and more.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express, said “it seems to be a given that Lexus will dominate the reliability charts in our Driver Power Survey, so it’s no surprise that’s the case in 2016. A Lexus is very unlikely to go wrong – and if it does, the dealers will react superbly to fix things.”

LEXUS NUMBER ONE FOR RELIABILITY IN 2016 AUTO EXPRESS DRIVER POWER SURVEY

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 05:00:00 +0200

…and number two, four, nine and 10

Third generation RX luxury SUV named the UK’s most reliable car, ahead of the current IS sedan
Lexus GS placed fourth, with NX and CT rounding off the top 10-rated models
Clean sweep in survey’s top three for build quality for NX, and second and third generation RX
Four Lexus models in the top 10 “best cars to own”
Survey based on the real-world experiences of almost 50,000 motorists

London, United Kingdom - Lexus has achieved unprecedented success in Auto Express’s search for the UK’s most reliable cars. The results of the 2016 Driver Power survey see the third generation RX luxury SUV achieving the highest rating, narrowly ahead of the current IS saloon.

A top-three clean-sweep was only prevented by the achievement of the Toyota Land Cruiser in third place, shading out the current Lexus GS saloon. To complete the emphatic performance, the NX crossover and CT premium hatchback rounded off the survey’s top 10 models.

In fact every Lexus model eligible for the survey is featured. The absence of the RC coupe (only recently launched) and the LS limousine is that they have not achieved the sales volumes required for inclusion.

Auto Express declared Lexus has “smashed” the survey, which brings together the real-world experiences and opinions of almost 50,000 motorists. Announcing the results, it said: “A new Lexus RX was launched in 2015, but given the Japanese marque’s formidable performance, who would bet against the new version repeating the success of its predecessor, which tops our reliability chart this year.”

Turning to the IS, it describes how the car “doesn’t take any prisoners when it comes to reliability,” an area where it has “forged a reputation for excellence”. The GS is praised for its “luxuriously appointed and high-spec’ interior” and the NX is recognised for adding excellent reliability to the qualities that it shares with its larger RX sister model.

Ewan Shepherd, Lexus Director, said: “We strive to give our customers complete peace of mind when it comes to being able to rely on their car, day in, day out. Their level of satisfaction is clearly communicated in this extraordinary survey result, vindicating everything we do to deliver the highest quality in all our models.

“It is also significant that their opinions are in the great majority based on their experiences with our hybrid technology, confirming yet again the lasting quality and trustworthy performance of Lexus Hybrid Drive.”

Lexus also performed strongly in other Driver Power categories, notably posting a one-two-three for build quality with the NX and second and third generation RX models. In the “best car to own” results, which take in performance across all survey criteria, Lexus claimed four of the top 10 places with the IS (the top-rated car in 2015) in fourth, GS in fifth, third generation RX in sixth and second generation RX in 10th.

And if you want to know which car has the comfiest seats, the survey reveals that honour, too, goes to the third generation Lexus RX.

2014 lexus ct 200h full hybrid: fr

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 01:45:00 +0100

• Design extérieur plus élégant et plus sophistiqué

• Raffinement intérieur d'une qualité visuelle et tactile en hausse

• Émissions de CO2 exemplaires, ramenées à un minimum de 82 g/km

• Progression de l'expérience de conduite et de la performance NVH

• Développement assuré par une ingénieure en chef, une première pour Lexus

Renforçant le luxe contemporain emblématique de la marque Lexus, la berline compacte premium CT 200h 2014 affiche un design extérieur plus sophistiqué, un intérieur au raffinement en hausse, doté d'équipements actualisés et offre un plus grand confort de conduite. Elle propose aussi une version F SPORT encore plus exclusive.

UN MODÈLE CLÉ EN EUROPE

La CT 200h Full Hybrid revêt une importance capitale pour Lexus. Positionnée sur le segment C premium CT 200h 2014, le plus grand et le plus disputé du marché européen, elle représente la porte d'entrée dans la marque Lexus. Conçue pour séduire une clientèle plus jeune, elle attire aussi 85 % d'acheteurs d'autres marques.

La CT 200h s'est rapidement imposée comme un modèle phare de la gamme Lexus en Europe. Depuis son lancement en janvier 2011, elle s'est vendue à 42.000 exemplaires sur ce marché, soit environ 25 % des ventes mondiales du modèle.

La CT 200h est en tête des ventes de Lexus dans plusieurs pays européens dont la France, le Royaume-Uni, l'Italie, l'Espagne, la Norvège et les Pays-Bas.

Le développement de cette évolution de la CT 200h a bénéficié d'un investissement substantiel en termes de ressources puisqu'il a mobilisé plus de 1.400 ingénieurs et collaborateurs dont le travail a été guidé par deux principaux objectifs :

premièrement, conforter l'image de luxe contemporain véhiculé par la CT 200h en la dotant d'un design plus audacieux, conforme à la nouvelle stratégie de la marque Lexus.
et deuxièmement, faire progresser l'expérience de conduite en améliorant le comportement routier tout en misant sur les valeurs fondamentales de Lexus de confort, de raffinement et de haute technologie.

DESIGN EXTÉRIEUR SOPHISTIQUÉ

Le restylage extérieur de la CT 200h 2014 se caractérise par un dynamisme et une sophistication accrus, destinés à séduire une clientèle cible plus jeune.

La face avant introduit la dernière évolution de la calandre trapézoïdale de Lexus, avec une partie centrale plus proéminente accentuant l'effet tridimensionnel qui se traduit par des lignes très aérodynamiques pour le capot, le bouclier inférieur et les ailes avant.

La distance qui sépare les angles inférieurs de la calandre gagne 100 mm par rapport à la version sortante et le point de resserrement du 'diabolo' est abaissé, accentuant le profil bas de la face avant et la sportivité de la large voie avant.

La forme trapézoïdale est mise en valeur par une finition foncée, et le contraste entre l'entourage supérieur chromé et la peinture métallisée du cadre inférieur accentue l'aspect sculpté et plus sophistiqué de la nouvelle calandre.

Comme sur les autres Lexus, la calandre positionnée plus bas que les phares crée l'allure résolue emblématique des véhicules de la marque.

Les logements des feux antibrouillard situés à l'extrémité du bouclier inférieur reprennent la finition foncée de la calandre. Ils intègrent des fentes aérodynamiques qui contribuent à lisser l'écoulement de l'air sur l'avant du véhicule au bénéfice de la stabilité à vitesse élevée.

De profil, la CT 200h 2014 est reconnaissable à ses nouvelles jantes en alliage 16'' ou 17'' à 5 doubles branches et à une nouvelle antenne de toit type aileron de requin.

À l'arrière, le bouclier redessiné, dont les extrémités sont abaissées de 20 mm, présente une structure plus horizontale. Il intègre des logements de réflecteurs distinctifs en forme de L et une section centrale noire qui souligne le centre de gravité abaissé et la large poupe du véhicule.

La CT 200h propose 11 teintes extérieures dont un nouveau Rouge Magma. Toutes les peintures bénéficient désormais d'une couche de finition anti-rayures et auto-régénératrice.

RAFFINEMENT DU DESIGN INTÉRIEUR ET ÉQUIPEMENT ENRICHI

L'habitacle de la CT 200h 2014 évolue pour offrir encore plus de confort, de prestations et de qualité visuelle et tactile.

Le conducteur bénéficie désormais d'un nouveau volant de 370 mm de diamètre similaire à celui des modèles de la gamme IS.

Le combiné d'instruments Optitron reçoit un nouvel ordinateur de bord avec écran TFT 4,2" (11 cm) associé au système multimédia et piloté via les commandes au volant. L'entourage du compteur de vitesse en position centrale est souligné par une finition en métal brillant.

L'écran central TFT multimédia 7'' (18 cm) adopte un design aminci et fixe. Il est associé à une commande par molette rotative pour piloter le système audio, la climatisation, la téléphonie ou encore l'affichage des flux d'énergie du système hybride. Les systèmes Lexus Multimédia, Navigation et Navigation Premium proposent de nouvelles fonctions, une utilisation simplifiée et une commande téléphonie mains libres et de reconnaissance vocale améliorée.

Les nouvelles fonctionnalités comprennent une prise AUX compatible vidéo pour visualisation sur l'écran central et la compatibilité multiple USB avec deux ports, une fonction d'affichage de photos stockées sur USB, l'affichage des couvertures d'albums, une fonction de mise en mémoire cache de 20 minutes de programme radio pour rediffusion ultérieure.

La montée en gamme de l'équipement comprend un moniteur d'aide au stationnement reprenant sur l'écran central 7'' les images de la caméra de recul, un système de surveillance de la pression des pneus et un bouton de désactivation du contrôle de motricité.

Le nouveau système de commande de l'éclairage inclut l'illumination d'accueil à bord avec l'allumage sélectif de l'éclairage intérieur et extérieur pendant 15 secondes après le déverrouillage du véhicule ; le système de temporisation de l'éclairage "Follow Me Home" qui allume les phares et les éclairages intérieurs pour une durée programmée de 30 à 120 secondes et l'extinction automatique de ces derniers 20 minutes après la coupure du contact.

Les coloris et les harmonies d'inserts de la console centrale évoluent. Le nouvel insert des contre-portes et la sellerie arborent des surpiqûres pour une qualité visuelle en hausse. La palette de sept inserts comprend désormais le bois Shimamoku. Enfin, les commandes de la console centrale se parent d'un fini métal sophistiqué.

La CT 200h 2014 élargit la palette des ambiances intérieures avec 5 selleries en tissu dont deux nouvelles : Rouge et Bleu, 3 en similicuir/tissu et 4 en cuir véritable dont les nouveaux Topaze et Grenat.

Interface de commande Remote Touch (RTI)

Intégrée au système Lexus Navigation Premium, la commande Remote Touch dispose désormais d'une validation plus conviviale par simple pression du pavé haptique. Elle fonctionne selon le principe d'une souris d'ordinateur tout en étant spécialement adaptée à un usage dans un poste de conduite.

Via le pavé haptique doté d'un retour de force, la commande RTI permet une utilisation simple et intuitive avec un déplacement rapide du curseur sur l'écran central multimédia pour accéder au système audio, à la navigation, la climatisation, la téléphonie et aux réglages du véhicule.

Le système « tire » automatiquement le curseur vers l'icône la plus proche pour plus de rapidité et de simplicité d'utilisation au bénéfice de la concentration du conducteur.

Systèmes de navigation Lexus

La CT 200h 2014 propose, selon les versions, deux systèmes de navigation : le Lexus Navigation et la version supérieure, le Lexus Navigation Premium, incluant les services connectés Lexus.

Commandé via une molette rotative, le système Lexus Navigation utilise l'écran central 7'' du Lexus Multimédia et offre rapidité, convivialité et un grand nombre d'options cartographiques.

Piloté via la commande Remote Touch, le système Lexus Navigation Premium bénéficie d'un puissant disque dur de 40 Go. Il couvre toute l'Europe et donne accès à l'infrastructure d'information trafic de chaque pays. Le système offre la reconnaissance vocale et un menu en de nombreuses langues dont le russe.

Le système Lexus Navigation Premium incorpore 29 évolutions et fonctions nouvelles dont 3D City View, Google Street View, Panoramio et la modélisation numérique de terrain.

Système audio Lexus avec haut-parleurs en résine de bambou

La qualité sonore des systèmes audio Lexus à 6 ou 10 haut-parleurs progresse grâce à l'adoption d'une technologie utilisant le bambou pour les haut-parleurs.

Les diaphragmes des haut-parleurs d'un type inédit sont fabriqués avec un composé complexe associant le charbon de bois de bambou, les fibres et la résine de bambou, par un procédé de moulage par injection qui permet de descendre à des épaisseurs de 0,2 à 0,3 mm. Ces diaphragmes sont 10 à 15 % plus légers que ceux des haut-parleurs conventionnels tout en offrant une rigidité en hausse de 20 % et un gain de vitesse sonique de 10 %. Ils restituent un son plus clair et plus naturel que celui des diaphragmes conventionnels.

Système audio Mark Levinson Premium Surround à 13 haut-parleurs

Le système haut de gamme Mark Levinson Premium Surround comporte 13 haut-parleurs et un amplificateur ML à 8 canaux. En association avec le disque dur du système de navigation, le système audio Mark Levinson offre une bibliothèque sonore de 10 Go qui utilise la technologie de bases de données de disques compacts (CDDB) pour le transfert et le stockage des fichiers musique.

Plusieurs éléments uniques permettent au système de garantir une qualité de son inégalée. Un haut-parleur central coaxial comprenant un cône métallique de 90 mm pour les fréquences moyennes et un tweeter 16 mm élargis le spectre des fréquences pour une restitution de la musique vocale et instrumentale d'une précision supérieure à celle d'un système conventionnel tout en coordonnant les harmoniques entre les voies avant droite et gauche.

Des haut-parleurs coaxiaux de 90 mm intégrés dans les montants centraux et arrière amplifient la gamme de restitution des fréquences. Des haut-parleurs satellites, situés en haut des montants arrière pour relever les tonalités moyennes et aiguës, apportent une touche plus réaliste à la reproduction sonore. Enfin, un caisson de basse Mark Levinson de 200 mm, dans son logement dédié intégré à la paroi de l'espace à bagages, permet une belle restitution des basses profondes.

ÉMISSIONS DE CO₂ EXEMPLAIRES

La réduction significative des émissions permet à la CT 200h 2014 d'afficher des valeurs de CO₂ au meilleur de la catégorie.

Les modèles équipés de roues 15'' reçoivent désormais en série des pneumatiques à faible résistance au roulement et affichent un rejet en baisse de 5 g/km, ramené de 87 à 82 g/km.

L'optimisation aérodynamique systématique, décrite ci-dessous, fait passer les émissions de CO₂ des modèles équipés de roues 16 '' de 94 à 88 g/km, soit une baisse de 6 g/km.

CONFORT DE CONDUITE ET RAFFINEMENT EN HAUSSE

Dotée d'un poste de conduite entièrement centré sur le conducteur, la CT 200h a été spécialement développée pour conjuguer un comportement routier irréprochable et une expérience de conduite dynamique avec le confort de roulage digne d'une Lexus.

La stabilité dynamique hors pair est garantie par la grande rigidité structurelle de la caisse, un centre de gravité abaissé à l'extrême et la minimisation du moment d'inertie de lacet grâce au recours à l'aluminium pour le capot, le hayon et les renforts de boucliers.

L'association d'une suspension avant type MacPherson à bras en L et d'une architecture arrière indépendante à double triangulation et bras tirés offre un niveau exceptionnel de confort et de tenue de route.

Utilisé pour la première fois sur une Lexus, le système unique d'amortissement latéral avant et arrière filtre et minimise les vibrations de la caisse pour assurer un ressenti linéaire de la direction et un confort de roulage supérieur.

La rigidité accrue de la caisse, le remaniement de la suspension et de la direction, l'optimisation de l'aérodynamisme et les mesures exhaustives contre les nuisances NVH (bruit, vibrations et stridence) permettent à la CT 200h 2014 d'offrir plus d'agilité et de plaisir de conduite, à bord d'un habitacle encore plus silencieux.

Rigidité accrue de la caisse

La carrosserie est plus rigide grâce à l'introduction de 20 soudures par point supplémentaires autour de l'ouvrant arrière et aux colles structurelles très utilisées pour toute la partie inférieure de la caisse.

Amélioration de la suspension et de la direction assistée électrique

La rigidité accrue de la caisse a permis la modification des réglages de suspension. Les ressorts hélicoïdaux ont été optimisés, les amortisseurs se dotent d'une nouvelle valve et le diamètre de la barre stabilisatrice arrière a été revu au profit du confort de roulage sans compromis sur l'agilité.

La direction assistée électrique (EPS) a également été optimisée en lien avec l'augmentation de la rigidité de la caisse et le support de la colonne de direction, plus rigide, permet un ressenti plus doux et une réactivité accrue de la direction.

Optimisation aérodynamique

L'aérodynamisme progresse grâce à des ailettes aérostabilisatrices sur le cache du cadre des portes et les blocs optiques arrière qui plaquent l'air au plus près de la carrosserie et réduisent les vibrations du véhicule.

Les nouvelles ailettes aérodynamiques sur le carénage du moteur et du plancher arrière optimisent l'appui au bénéfice de l'adhérence et de la stabilité. Le becquet de toit redessiné contribue à la performance aérodynamique, en particulier sur la version F SPORT où son design exclusif présentant des découpes optimise l'appui.

Mesures acoustiques et vibratoires exhaustives

La performance NVH, et en particulier la réduction des bruits moyenne et haute fréquence transmis à la cabine, progresse encore grâce à l'adoption de 94 mesures différentes et vient compléter le silence de fonctionnement du Lexus Hybrid Drive.

La CT 200h est aussi la première Lexus Full Hybrid à adopter un nouveau collecteur d'air extrêmement poreux associé à une plaque insonorisante, pour conjuguer un confort acoustique supérieur et une sonorité d'admission séduisante.

L'emplacement et le poids du support arrière moteur optimisés ainsi que l'obturation des percements de l'insonorisant de la planche de bord, plus épais et plus grand, contribuent à la réduction du bruit en provenance du moteur.

La rigidité accrue des supports d'amortisseurs latéraux contribue à la suppression des vibrations de la caisse.

Reprogrammation de la transmission CVT

En complément de cette optimisation des performances dynamiques, la reprogrammation de la transmission électronique intelligente E-CVT du Lexus Hybrid Drive améliore également l'agrément de conduite de la CT 200h et se traduit par une montée plus progressive dans les tours, plus en phase avec la vitesse du véhicule, comme avec une boîte de vitesses automatique conventionnelle.

Sélection du programme de conduite — Deux styles de conduite distincts

Outre le mode de conduite NORMAL, le système Full Hybrid de la CT 200h offre le choix entre trois autres programmes, EV, ECO et SPORT, que le bouton rotatif du sélecteur Drive Mode Select et le commutateur EV adjacent permettent de sélectionner, pour adapter le comportement du véhicule au style de conduite « Dynamic », donnant la priorité à la performance et à l'agilité, ou « Relaxing », privilégiant une conduite souple, la maîtrise de la consommation et des émissions.

Les programmes de conduite EV, ECO et NORMAL mettent l'accès sur un style de conduite détendu, au bénéfice du confort de roulage, de la progressivité des accélérations et de la performance acoustique et vibratoire.

Entre 0 et 45 km/h, la CT 200h peut fonctionner automatiquement en mode EV, animée par le seul moteur électrique et sur une distance maximale de 2 km pour une conduite tout en souplesse. Le conducteur peut aussi sélectionner manuellement le mode EV, un choix impossible sur un véhicule semi-hybride et uniquement permis par la technologie Full Hybrid du Lexus Hybrid Drive.

Le mode ECO limite la réponse de l'accélérateur aux sollicitations trop énergiques du conducteur et optimise le contrôle de la climatisation au bénéfice de la sobriété. Le mode ECO permet au conducteur d'adopter une conduite coulée et se traduit par une réduction perceptible de la consommation de carburant.

En mode SPORT, la tension du système hybride augmente pour bénéficier d'un surcroît de puissance du moteur électrique et favoriser un style de conduite dynamique. Le régime moteur est plus élevé et les réglages du papillon des gaz et de la direction assistée électrique (EPS) changent pour une réponse plus directe aux sollicitations du conducteur. Enfin, le système de contrôle de stabilité du véhicule (VSC) et le contrôle de motricité (TRC) se font plus discrets pour amplifier les performances et l'agilité de la CT 200h.

La différence très nette de comportement entre les styles Dynamic et Relaxing est soulignée par le changement d'aspect du combiné d'instruments accompagnant la sélection du mode de conduite. Le rétroéclairage bleu hybride en modes EV, ECO et NORMAL du combiné d'instruments et du bouton sélecteur des programmes de conduite passe automatiquement au rouge en mode SPORT et l'indicateur de puissance hybride se transforme en compte-tours.

Groupe motopropulseur Lexus Hybrid Drive

Associant un moteur essence de 1.798 cm³ de cylindrée à cycle Atkinson développant 99 ch à un moteur électrique de 82 ch, le Lexus Hybrid Drive de la CT 200h intègre un système de gestion de l'énergie.

Les solutions d'ingénierie développées par Lexus et le paramétrage exclusif du logiciel ont permis l'amélioration des performances environnementales et dynamiques du système totalement hybride série / parallèle ainsi que la maîtrise exceptionnelle des caractéristiques NVH.

Grâce aux 136 ch de puissance combinée développée par le système, la CT 200h passe sans effort de 0 à 100 km/h en 10,3 secondes et atteint une vitesse maximale de 180 km/h (sur circuit), une performance équivalente à celle de ses principales rivales du segment compact premium.

À l'inverse, la CT 200h affiche une consommation étonnamment réduite de seulement 3,6 l/100 km en cycle mixte, et permet une baisse non négligeable du coût de possession grâce, entre autres, à des émissions de CO₂ exemplaires à partir de 82 g/km.

Le Lexus Hybrid Drive émet nettement moins d'oxydes d'azote (NO_x) qu'un moteur diesel équivalent, et pas de particules. Il autorise même zéro émission de CO₂ et de NO_x en mode tout électrique EV.

La CT 200h bénéficie également de nombreuses mesures complémentaires en faveur de la maîtrise de la consommation d'énergie et du respect de l'environnement qui renforcent sa performance environnementale. Ces mesures réduisent la consommation d'énergie de la climatisation avec chauffage proactif des sièges et de l'éclairage à diodes électroluminescentes, ou augmentent le rendement énergétique grâce à l'amplificateur haut rendement et aux haut-parleurs en résine de bambou du système audio ou encore font appel à des matériaux biosourcés.

DESIGN F SPORT EXCLUSIF

La CT 200h F SPORT affiche une présence routière plus forte et se démarque davantage des autres versions de la gamme CT 200h.

La nouvelle calandre trapézoïdale arbore la même maille nid d'abeille que la nouvelle IS F SPORT, au motif inversé entre la partie haute et basse. Les logements des feux antibrouillard reçoivent la même finition maillée et sont soulignés par une ailette également de couleur noire.

À l'arrière, le becquet de toit exclusif intègre des découpes qui accentuent l'appui au bénéfice de la motricité et de la stabilité. Le logement des réflecteurs reçoit le même traité maillé que la calandre.

Les jantes en alliage bi-ton 17" à 5 doubles branches sont réservées à la F SPORT. La palette de teintes extérieures comprend la couleur Blanc Nova, exclusivité de la version F SPORT.

L'intérieur de la F SPORT reçoit une sellerie, une ornementation et des finitions spécifiques. Les sièges bénéficient de renforts latéraux et d'appui-tête en similicuir, avec une partie centrale en tissu et des surpiqûres contrastées. Trois harmonies de couleurs sont proposées : Noir, Rouge et Bleu. Une sellerie tout cuir est également disponible en Noir ou Grenat.

L'habitacle de la F SPORT se distingue en outre par un pédalier et des seuils de portes en aluminium, un volant gainé de cuir perforé arborant le logo F SPORT et un pommeau de levier de vitesses en cuir texturé. Deux finitions d'inserts sont proposées : Argent finition métal ou Carbone.

La F SPORT reprend tous les éléments améliorant la performance de la CT 200h 2014 en y ajoutant un tarage spécifique des ressorts hélicoïdaux et l'optimisation de la répartition avant/arrière du contrôle du roulis au bénéfice du comportement dynamique.

SÉCURITÉ ACTIVE EXEMPLAIRE

La CT 200h possède un équipement de sécurité active, passive et de protection des piétons extrêmement complet. Sa technologie très évoluée offre au conducteur un niveau de sécurité préventive au meilleur de la catégorie et la CT 200h a obtenu 5 étoiles aux essais au choc NCAP en Europe et aux États-Unis et 6 étoiles au Japon.

La CT 200h peut être équipée du système de sécurité précollision (PCS) associé au régulateur de vitesse adaptatif (ACC). Elle reçoit aussi en série huit airbags et des sièges avant WIL (réduisant le risque de coup du lapin). La version actualisée du système de freinage régénératif à gestion électronique (ECB-R) intègre l'antiblocage des roues (ABS), l'aide au freinage d'urgence, le contrôle de motricité (TRC) et le contrôle de stabilité du véhicule (VSC).

Sécurité précollision

La CT 200h 2014 peut recevoir le système sophistiqué de sécurité précollision (PCS) qui permet de limiter les dommages corporels et matériels d'une collision. Le système PCS est doté d'un radar à ondes millimétriques qui balaye un angle de 20° pour détecter d'éventuels obstacles à l'avant du véhicule, même en virage. De nombreux capteurs renseignent le calculateur du système de précollision sur la vitesse du véhicule, l'angle de braquage et la vitesse de lacet pour évaluer la probabilité d'une collision.

Si la collision est hautement probable, le système PCS alerte le conducteur via un signal sonore et une alarme affichée au tableau de bord et déclenche l'action des prétensionneurs des ceintures de sécurité avant pour une retenue optimale. En outre dès que le conducteur freine, son effort est amplifié par l'assistance au freinage précollision. Mais si le conducteur ne freine pas face à une collision inévitable, l'assistance au freinage précollision actionne automatiquement les freins pour réduire la vitesse d'impact.

Régulateur de vitesse adaptatif

La compacte premium Full Hybrid de Lexus associe au système PCS le régulateur de vitesse adaptatif (ACC).

Capable de faire la différence entre les véhicules précédant directement la Lexus et ceux situés sur une voie adjacente, le système de contrôle de la distance inter-véhicules utilise le capteur du radar à ondes millimétriques associé au contrôle de vitesse constante, de décélération, de suivi et d'accélération, afin de ralentir automatiquement la CT 200h en réglant sa vitesse sur celle du véhicule précédant puis en la ramenant à la vitesse de croisière programmée une fois que le voie est libre.

PREMIÈRE LEXUS DÉVELOPPÉE PAR UNE INGÉNIEURE EN CHEF

La CT 200h 2014 a été développée par Chika Kako, la première femme chez Lexus à avoir été nommée Ingénieure en Chef.

Kako-san est ingénieure en science des matériaux. Elle est entrée chez Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) en 1989 où elle a été responsable du développement de matériaux intérieurs, extérieurs et insonorisants et de la résolution de certains problèmes comme l'embuage ou les mauvaises odeurs à bord.

Première collaboratrice de TMC nommée à l'étranger, à un poste de R&D, elle a travaillé en Europe à partir de 2001 sur un projet consacré à l'amélioration des paramètres sensoriels de l'habitacle.

À son retour au Japon, en 2004, elle a intégré le service de la planification de la marque (Lexus Brand Planning) avant d'être nommée au Plan Produit (Lexus Product Planning) où elle a assisté les ingénieurs en Chef des gammes RX et IS.

2014 der neue lexus ct 200h: de

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 01:45:00 +0100

•Dynamisches, sportlich-elegantes Karosserie-Design

•Hochwertiger Innenraum mit verbesserter Optik und Haptik

•Klassenbestwert: CO₂-Ausstoß auf 82 g/km gesenkt

•Gesteigerter Fahrkomfort und optimierte Akustik

•Erster Lexus, der von einer Chefingenieurin entwickelt wurde

Die Neuauflage des CT 200h unterstreicht den Premium-Anspruch der Marke Lexus. Der kompakte Fünftürer präsentiert sich in einem aufgefrischtenKarosserie-Styling, profitiert von einem aufgewerteten Innenraum und begeistertmit spürbar gesteigertem Fahrkomfort.

EIN MODELL FÜR EUROPA

Der CT 200h hat bei Lexus eine wichtige Rolle übernommen und stellt das Einstiegsmodell der Marke dar. Im Premium-Kompaktsegment, dem größten europäischen Marktsegment will der kompakte Fünftürer besonders jüngere Kunden gewinnen.

Obwohl der CT 200h erst seit gut drei Jahren auf dem Markt ist, hat er sich schnell zu einem wichtigen Player im europäischen Lexus Modellprogramm entwickelt. Seit seiner Einführung im Januar 2011 konnte Lexus europaweit 42.000 Einheiten absetzen. Das sind rund 25 Prozent aller weltweit verkauften Modelle des Typs CT 200h.

An der Weiterentwicklung des neuen CT 200h waren mehr als 1.400 Ingenieure und Techniker beteiligt. Dabei standen zwei Ziele im Mittelpunkt des Projekts:

1. Die stärkere Akzentuierung des Premium-Anspruchs in Einklang mit der neuen Lexus Markenstrategie, beim CT 200h erkennbar an einem noch prägnanteren Design.

2. Die Steigerung des Fahrvergnügens sowohl über die Fahrdynamik als auch über die traditionellen Lexus Werte wie Komfort, Qualität und Technologie.

DYNAMISCHES KAROSSERIE-DESIGN

Die Neuauflage des CT 200h wartet mit einem betont dynamischen Design auf, das auch jüngere Zielgruppen anspricht.

Die Front wird von einem modifizierten Kühlergrill im Lexus typischen Dia-bolo Design geprägt. Der mittlere Bereich setzt nun weiter vorn an und schafft so eine kraftvolle, dreidimensionale Optik. Dabei harmoniert der Kühlergrill perfekt mit der aerodynamisch gezeichneten Motorhaube, der Frontschürze und den seitlichen Flanken.

Im unteren Bereich ist der Kühlergrill 100 Millimeter breiter als beim Vor-gängermodell, dies betont das flache Profil und die breite Spur des CT 200h.

Das dunkle Finish sowie der Kontrast mit der oberen Chromleiste und der lackierten Umrandung verstärken die dynamische, dreidimensionale Struktur der neu gestalteten Frontpartie zusätzlich.

Wie bei jedem Lexus läuft der Grill unterhalb der Scheinwerferlinie aus und prägt damit die entschlossene, markentypische Optik. Die Scheinwerfer selbst sind mit Projektions- und LED-Technik ausgerüstet. Das neue Finish des Grills in Metallic Matt unterstreicht den hohen Qualitätsanspruch.

Auch die Nebelscheinwerfer in der unteren Frontschürze sind auf das dunkle Finish des Diabolo Kühlergrills abgestimmt.

In der Seitenansicht ist der überarbeitete CT 200h an neu entwickelten 16- und 17-Zoll-Leichtmetallrädern im 10-Speichen-Design und an der neuen Antenne im Sharkfin-Design erkennbar.

Bei der neu gestalteten Heckpartie ist der Stoßfänger um 20 Millimeter tiefer gezogen, was die horizontale Struktur noch stärker betont. Markentypische Reflektoren im L-Design und der schwarz lackierte Mittelbereich verstärken optisch den niedrigen Schwerpunkt des kompakten Lexus.

Der neue CT 200h ist in 11 verschiedenen Karosseriefarben lieferbar, darunter eine neue Lackierung in Glutrot. In allen Fällen schützt ein kratzfester, selbstheilender Klarlack vor Lackschäden.

ÜBERARBEITETER INNENRAUM MIT HOCHWERTIGER AUSSTATTUNG

Der hochwertige Innenraum des neuen CT 200h bietet noch mehr Komfort, eine verfeinerte und erweiterte Ausstattung sowie eine nochmals gesteigerte Qualitätsanmutung.

Das neue Lenkrad mit 370 Millimeter Durchmesser wurde aus der sport-lichen IS-Baureihe übernommen.

Neu erhältlich ist sowohl das Lexus Media Display als auch das Lexus Premium Navigationssystem mit feststehendem 7" Farbdisplay und er-weit-erten Funktionen sowie einer verbesserten Bedienung inklusive optimierter Sprachsteuerung und Lexus Connected Services.

Neben dem Lexus Park Assist mit Abstandswarnung sind nun neu ein Reifendruck-Warmsystem und eine deaktivierbare Traktionskontrolle mit an Bord. Das neue Beleuchtungssystem arbeitet mit einem Willkommenslicht, das ausgewählte Bereiche der Karosserie und des Innenraums für 15 Sekunden illuminiert, sobald das Fahrzeug entriegelt wird. Eine weitere Funktion ist das Follow Me Home System, das die Scheinwerfer und weitere Lichtquellen für einen Zeitraum von 30 bis 120 Sekunden aktiviert, um das Umfeld des Lexus bei Dunkelheit zu erhellen.

Durch neue Polsterbezüge und zusätzliche Applikationen bieten sich mehr Möglichkeiten der Individualisierung. Neben Ziernähten für die Türverkleidungen sind verschiedene Inlays verfügbar, darunter Shimamoku-Holz, ein Ergebnis der von Lexus verfeinerten mehrschichtigen Holzproduktionstechniken.

Der Kunde hat die Wahl zwischen fünf verschiedenen Polsterstoffen und drei Lederausstattungen. Neu ist die Farbvariante Topazbraun.

Lexus Remote Touch

Das Bediensystem Remote Touch ist integraler Bestandteil des Lexus Premium Navigationssystems und wurde im Rahmen der Modell-über-ar-bei-tung bedienungsfreundlicher gestaltet. Funktionen wie Audio, Navigation, Klimatisierung, Telefon oder Fahrwerks-Setup lassen sich zielsicher ansteuern und mit einer Enter-Taste bestätigen.

Lexus Navigationssysteme

Bei dem neuen CT 200h stehen zwei Navigationssysteme zur Auswahl: das Lexus Navigationssystem und das Lexus Premium Navigationssystem mit Lexus Connected Services.

Schon beim Lexus Navigationssystem handelt es sich um ein schnelles, intuitiv per Drehknopf zu bedienendes Festplatten-Navigationssystem, das den 7 Zoll großen Farbbildschirm des Lexus Media Displays nutzt.

Das Premium Navigationssystem wird über die Remote Touch Bedienung gesteuert. Es verfügt über eine besonders leistungsstarke Festplatte mit 40 Gigabyte Kapazität und ist mit digitalem Kartenmaterial für ganz Europa ausgerüstet. Für den Einsatz im neuen CT 200h wurde das Lexus Premium Navigationssystem mit nicht weniger als 29 Upgrades und zusätzlichen Funktionen ausgerüstet, darunter 3D City View, Google Street View, Panoramio sowie eine digitale Geländedarstellung und eine Echtzeit-Verkehrsinformation.

Lexus Audiosysteme mit Lautsprecher-membranen aus Bambusfaser

Die Lexus Premium Sound Systeme mit 6 oder 10 Lautsprechern bieten Klangqualität auf höchstem Niveau. Zu diesem Zweck sind die Anlagen mit Lautsprechermembranen aus Bambusfasern ausgestattet.

Die von Lexus weltweit erstmalig eingesetzte Technologie verfügt über Membranen, die in einem komplexen Spritzgussverfahren aus verschiedenen Bambus-Komponenten wie Fasern, Kohle und Harz gefertigt werden. Auf diese Weise sind Materialstärken von nur 0,2 bis 0,3 Millimeter realisierbar. Gleichzeitig sind die Membranen 10 bis 15 Prozent leichter, 20 Prozent steifer und in Sachen Schwingungsverhalten 10 Prozent schneller als herkömmliche Membranen aus Kunststoff. Im Ergebnis überzeugen die Lautsprecher daher mit einer naturgetreuen Klangwiedergabe.

Mark Levinson Premium Surround Audiosystem mit 13 Lautsprechern

Mit 13 Lautsprechern und einem Achtkanal-Verstärker ist das Mark Levinson Premium Surround Audiosystem bestückt.

Je ein 90-mm Koaxial-Mitteltöner in den B- und C-Säulen erweitern das Klangbild. Satelliten-Lautsprecher im oberen Bereich der C-Säulen übertragen mittel- und hochfrequente Töne und sorgen für ein einheitliches Klangbild auch auf den hinteren Plätzen. Der in der Seitenwand des Gepäckraums verborgene 200-mm Mark Levinson Subwoofer erzeugt dabei Tiefbasseffekte.

DIE NIEDRIGSTEN CO₂-EMISSIONEN SEINER KLASSE

Im Zuge der Modellüberarbeitung konnte Lexus den CO₂-Ausstoß des neuen CT 200h noch einmal senken.

Ausgerüstet mit rollwiderstandsreduzierten Reifen im 15-Zoll-Format betragen die CO₂-Emissionen in der Einstiegsversion nur noch 82 g/km, was einer Reduzierung von 5 g/km entspricht.

Dank umfangreicher aerodynamischer Feinarbeiten konnte der CO₂-Ausstoß des CT 200h Executive Line mit 16-Zoll-Rädern von 94 auf 88 g/km gesenkt werden.

FAHRKOMFORT

Der neue CT 200h überzeugt dank einer torsionssteiferen Karosserie mit mehr Fahrstabilität und präzisem Einlenkverhalten. Die Steigerung des Fahrvergnügens war der Schwerpunkt der Modellüberarbeitung. Daneben haben die Ingenieure den Schwerpunkt weiter nach unten verlagert und das Gewicht einzelner Komponenten reduziert. Motorhaube, Heckklappe und Teile der Stoßfänger sind daher aus Aluminium gefertigt.

Das Fahrwerk mit McPherson-Federbeinen vorn sowie einer Hinterachse mit Doppelquerlenkern und Längslenkern garantiert ein hohes Maß an Fahrkomfort und beste Handling-Qualitäten.

Als erster Lexus verfügt der CT 200h über ein einzigartiges Querdämpfersystem, das Karosserieschwingungen auf ein Minimum reduziert und so Lenkpräzision, Rückmeldung und Fahrkomfort spürbar verbessert.

Neben der höheren Karosseriesteifigkeit, dem überarbeiteten Fahrwerk samt modifizierter Lenkung und der verbesserten Aerodynamik trägt auch das optimierte Geräuschniveau dazu bei, dass der neue CT 200h nicht nur mit agilem Fahrverhalten, sondern auch mit angenehmem Reisekomfort überzeugen kann.

Fahrwerk und elektrische Servolenkung

Ein Plus an Fahrkomfort konnte durch die Optimierung der Federrate, neue Dämpferventile und die Modifizierung des hinteren Stabilisators erzielt werden, ohne Agilität und Handlingeigenschaften zu beeinträchtigen.

Auch die elektrische Servolenkung EPS wurde an die höhere Karosserie-steifigkeit angepasst. Die besonders stabil ausgeführte Lagerung der Lenksäule verbessert Lenkgefühl und Rückmeldung.

Verbesserte Aerodynamik

Zusätzliche aerodynamisch wirksame Finnen im Bereich der Außenspiegel und der Heckleuchten tragen dazu bei, dass der Luftstrom optimal und ohne Verwirbelungen an der Karosserie entlang geführt wird.

Neue Diffusoren unterhalb der Motorverkleidung und im Bereich des hinteren Unterbodens reduzieren den Auftrieb und verbessern Bodenhaftung und Fahrstabilität. Ein modifizierter Dachspoiler steigert die aerodyna-mischen Qualitäten des CT 200h zusätzlich. Besonders ausgeprägt ist das Spoiler-Design der F SPORT Version, das die Auftriebswerte weiter reduziert.

Optimiertes Geräuschniveau

Im Rahmen der Weiterentwicklung wurden 94 zusätzliche Einzelmaßnahmen ergriffen, um das Geräusch- und Vibrationsverhalten weiter zu optimieren. Dabei galt es in erster Linie, den Innenraum vor mittel- und hochfrequenten Geräuschen abzuschirmen.

Geräuschabsorbierende Verkleidungen in den hinteren Radhäuser und leicht ausgestellte vordere Kotflügel minimieren die Übertragung von Motor- und Fahrbahngeräuschen ins Wageninnere.

Die elektronische Steuerung des stufenlosen E-CVT wurde neu abgestimmt. Die Drehzahl des Benzintriebwerks passt sich nun homogener an die Leistungsanforderung des Fahrers an. Bei geringer Anforderung dreht das Aggregat nicht mit voller Leistung, sondern entfaltet diese erst mit steigendem Leistungsabruf, und der Motorsound harmoniert nun besser mit der tatsächlichen Beschleunigung.

Wahl der Fahr-Modi

Neben dem alltagstauglichen NORMAL-Modus bietet der CT 200h drei weitere Fahr-Modi: EV, ECO und SPORT. Auf diese Weise kann der Fahrer die Leistungscharakteristik des Hybridantriebs seinen Bedürfnissen anpassen — ob rein elektrisch, effizient oder besonders sportlich.

Unterhalb einer Geschwindigkeit von 45 km/h schaltet der CT 200h automatisch in den EV-Modus, sofern es der Batterieladestatus zulässt. Der rein elektrische Antrieb ist immer wieder für bis zu zwei Kilometer Strecke nutzbar.

Im ECO-Modus ist das Ansprechverhalten des Lexus Hybrid Drive und auch die Klimaanlagesteuerung auf maximale Effizienz ausgelegt. Der ECO-Modus unterstützt den Fahrer im Sinne einer entspannten, ökonomischen Fahrweise und hilft, den Kraftstoffverbrauch noch einmal deutlich zu reduzieren.

Im SPORT-Modus steht die maximale Systemleistung schneller zur Verfügung. Der Verbrennungsmotor arbeitet mit höherer Drehzahl, Gas- und Lenkbefehle des Fahrers werden spontaner umgesetzt.

Je nachdem, ob sich der Fahrer für eine entspannte oder betont dynamische Fortbewegung entschieden hat, erstrahlt auch das Cockpit in der dazu passenden Optik. In den Modi EV, ECO und NORMAL sind die Instrumente in Hybrid-Blau hinterleuchtet. Beim Wechsel in den SPORT-Modus schalten die Anzeigen auf Rot, im Kombiinstrument wird statt des Hybrid-System-Indikators ein Drehzahlmesser eingeblendet.

Lexus Hybrid Drive

Der Lexus Hybrid Drive des CT 200h arbeitet mit einem Energie-Management, das die Leistung von Benzinmotor (1.798 ccm, 73 kW/100 PS) und Elektromotor (60 kW/82 PS) auf hocheffiziente Weise synchronisiert.

Mit einem Durchschnittsverbrauch von 3,6 Litern pro 100 Kilometer und einem CO₂-Ausstoß von 82 g/km setzt der CT 200h einen Bestwert in seiner Klasse. Zudem emittiert der Lexus Hybrid Drive deutlich weniger Stickoxide (NO_X) und Partikel als ein vergleichbares Fahrzeug mit Dieselmotor. Wird der CT 200h im rein elektrischen EV-Modus bewegt, ist er sogar völlig emissionsfrei unterwegs.

Neben dem Lexus Hybrid Drive weist der CT 200h viele weitere Lösungen auf, die sich als besonders effizient und umweltschonend aus-zahlen. Beispiele dafür sind die energiesparende Auslegung der Klim-a-anlage, der Einsatz moderner LED-Lampen, die Lautsprechermembranen aus Bambus und die Verwendung weiterer pflanzlicher Rohstoffe.

UNVERKENNBARES F SPORT DESIGN

Die neue F SPORT Version des CT 200h zeigt eine besonders kraftvolle Präsenz auf der Straße und unterscheidet sich jetzt noch deutlicher von den übrigen Modellvarianten.

Der Diabolo-Kühlergrill weist wie in allen F SPORT Modellen ein sportliches Rautenmuster auf. Die Aussparungen für die Nebelscheinwerfer sind mit der gleichen Gitterstruktur versehen.

Am Heck sorgt ein exklusiver Heckspoiler für Aufmerksamkeit. Er liefert zusätzlichen Anpressdruck und verbessert damit Bodenhaftung und Fahrstabilität. Auch die Heckschürze greift im Bereich der Reflektoren das Rautenmuster der Front auf.

Zu den weiteren Alleinstellungsmerkmalen der F SPORT Version zählen die 17 Zoll großen Leichtmetallräder im 10-Speichen-Design. Es stehen neun verschiedene Außenfarben zur Wahl, darunter das neue Glutrot und das exklusive F SPORT Fujiweiß.

Der Innenraum der F SPORT Version wartet mit exklusiven Sitzbezügen, Türverkleidungen und Applikationen auf. Sitzwangen und Kopfstützen sind aus textilem Material mit lederähnlicher Oberfläche, eine aufwändige Nahtverarbeitung rundet das Finish ab. Die Sitze sind mit drei verschiedenen Bezügen und mit einer Volllederausstattung lieferbar.

Zu den weiteren F SPORT Merkmalen zählen F SPORT-Pedale und -Einstiegsleisten, ein mit perforiertem Leder überzogenes Lenkrad und ein griffiger Lederschaltknauf. Auch in Sachen Fahrdynamik hat die F SPORT Version zugelegt. Neben den Maßnahmen, die allen Varianten des neuen CT 200h zugute kommen, weist die Sportausführung modifizierte Schraubenfedern und eine optimierte Wankstabilität auf, so dass sich der neue CT 200h F SPORT agiler durch Kurven dirigieren lässt.

AKTIVE SICHERHEIT AUF TOP-NIVEAU

Der CT 200h verfügt über ein umfassendes Angebot an aktiven und passiven Sicherheitssystemen. Er konnte mit 5 Sternen (Euro-NCAP und NCAP USA) beziehungsweise 6 Sternen (J-NCAP Japan) Bestwerte in allen relevanten Crashtests erzielen.

Acht Airbags und das Schleudertrauma-Schutzsystem WIL für die vorderen Plätze zählen zur Basisausstattung, und auch die verbesserte elektronisch gesteuerte Bremsenergierückgewinnung ECB-R, ABS, Brems-Assistent, die Antriebsschlupfregelung TRC und das Fahrzeug-stabilitätsprogramm VSC sind serienmäßig an Bord.

Pre-Crash Safety System (PCS)

Optional lässt sich der neue CT 200h mit dem Pre-Crash Safety System (PCS) zur Vermeidung von Unfällen und zur Minimierung von Unfallfolgen ausrüsten. PCS arbeitet mit einem Mikrowellen-Radarsensor, der Hindernisse vor dem Fahrzeug erkennt. Dabei berücksichtigt das System weitere Sensor-Informationen wie Fahrgeschwindigkeit, Lenkwinkel und Gierrate, um kritische Situation möglichst früh zu erkennen.

Bei einer unmittelbaren Kollisionsgefahr wird der Fahrer akustisch und optisch gewarnt. Zugleich werden die Sicherheitsgurte gestrafft, während der Brems-Assistent Bremsdruck aufbaut, um bei Bremsbetätigung maximale Verzögerung zu gewährleisten. Bleibt der Fahrer jedoch untätig, leitet PCS vor einem als unvermeidbar erkannten Aufprall selbsttätig eine Notbremsung ein, um die Kollisionsgeschwindigkeit zu verringern.

Adaptive Geschwindigkeitsregelanlage (ACC)

Die adaptive Geschwindigkeitsregelanlage ACC ist mit dem PCS-System vernetzt und sorgt dafür, dass ein zuvor gewählter Abstand zum voraus-fahrenden Fahrzeug selbsttätig eingehalten wird.

ACC nutzt das Mikrowellen-Radar des Pre-Crash Safety Systems zur Abstandsmessung und ist in der Lage, unmittelbar vorausfahrende Fahrzeuge von solchen zu unterscheiden, die sich auf einer benachbarten Fahrspur befinden. Verringert sich der Abstand zum Vordermann, bremst ACC automatisch ab. Beschleunigt das vorausfahrende Fahrzeug oder gibt es die Fahrbahn frei, beschleunigt der CT 200h bis auf die zuvor eingestellte Wunschgeschwindigkeit.

VON EINER CHEFINGENIEURIN ENTWICKELT

Für die Weiterentwicklung des CT 200h war Chika Kako verantwortlich.

Sie kam 1989 zur Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) und war in der Vergangenheit verantwortlich für die Materialentwicklung in den Bereichen Karosserie, Innenraum und Akustik. Als erste weibliche TMC-Ingenieurin trat sie 2001 eine Stelle in einer europäischen Forschungs- und Entwicklungsabteilung an. Dort arbeitete sie an einem Projekt zur Verbesserung der sensorischen Qualitäten des Interieurs.

Nach ihrer Rückkehr nach Japan im Jahr 2004 wechselte Kako-san in die Planungsabteilung der Marke Lexus, bevor sie als Assistentin des Chef-ingenieurs mit der Produktplanung der RX und IS Modellreihen befasst war.

2014 la nuova lexus ct hybrid: it

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 01:45:00 +0100

•Un design esterno moderno ed elegante

•Abitacolo raffinato, con nuovi standard in termini di qualità e comfort

•Emissioni di CO₂ ai vertici della categoria, ridotte a soli 82 g/km

•Straordinaria esperienza di guida, grazie anche alla riduzione dei livelli di NVH

•Prima vettura Lexus sviluppata da un Chief Engineer donna

La nuova berlina premium firmata Lexus, realizzata per confermare gli elevatissimi standard del brand, è caratterizzata da un design esterno raffinato, da un abitacolo molto elegante caratterizzato da nuovi equipaggiamenti, e da uno straordinario comfort di guida, offrendo inoltre un'ampia possibilità di scelta grazie alla disponibilità della versione F SPORT.

UN MODELLO CHIAVE PER IL MERCATO EUROPEO

La CT HYBRID recita un ruolo di fondamentale importanza per Lexus. Posizionata nel cuore del segmento C, il principale in Europa per dimensioni e competitività, è il modello di ingresso al brand Lexus, con un design sviluppato per attrarre i clienti più giovani e per suscitare l'interesse di clienti provenienti da altri brand.

La CT HYBRID possiede una storia relativamente breve, ma questo non le ha impedito di imporsi rapidamente come un modello chiave per la gamma europea di Lexus. Dal 2011 la CT HYBRID ha venduto oltre 42.000 unità in Europa, coprendo circa il 25% delle vendite globali del brand.

La CT HYBRID è il modello Lexus più venduto in diversi paesi europei, tra cui la l'Italia, Francia, il Regno Unito, la Spagna, la Norvegia e l'Olanda.

Le risorse investite in questo progetto sono imponenti, con uno staff di oltre 1.400 persone impegnate nello sviluppo della vettura, puntando al raggiungimento di due obiettivi principali:

Primo, consolidare l'immagine del modello, affidandosi a un design più audace, in linea con la nuova linea stilistica del brand.

Secondo, arricchire l'esperienza di guida, attraverso il miglioramento delle dinamiche di guida e dei livelli di comfort, eleganza e tecnologia propri del brand Lexus.

DESIGN ESTERNO ELEGANTE

Gli esterni della nuova CT HYBRID si presentano più dinamici ed eleganti, con forme studiate per attirare l'attenzione dei clienti più giovani

Il frontale introduce un'ulteriore evoluzione della 'Spindle Grille' di Lexus. La parte centrale della griglia si spinge verso l'esterno per creare una forma tridimensionale che evidenzia le linee aerodinamiche del cofano e del paraurti

Gli angoli inferiori della nuova griglia sono più lontani l'uno dall'altro di 10 centimetri rispetto a quelli del modello precedente, conferendo alla CT HYBRID un aspetto ribassato e un profilo più sportivo.

La forma affusolata messa in risalto dalle tonalità scure, il contrasto tra il rivestimento cromato superiore e quello metallizzato della parte inferiore, accentuano la struttura tridimensionale della nuova griglia.

Come per gli altri modelli della gamma, la griglia si trova in una posizione più bassa rispetto ai gruppi ottici, creando così quell'aspetto determinato che negli anni è diventato il marchio di fabbrica del brand. I fari dispongono invece di proiettori a LED e di un nuovo rivestimento interno fumé ad effetto metallizzato.

Gli alloggiamenti dei fendinebbia, collocati sui bordi inferiori del paraurti, sono caratterizzati dallo stesso colore della griglia e dispongono di piccole fessure aerodinamiche che migliorano la gestione del flusso dell'aria attorno al frontale, contribuendo ad una maggiore stabilità alle velocità più sostenute.

Di profilo, la nuova CT HYBRID è riconoscibile dai nuovi cerchi in lega a 10 razze, disponibili sia da 16" che da 17", che si aggiungono a quelli da 15", e dalla nuova antenna a pinna di squalo.

Sul posteriore, il nuovo design del paraurti, allungato di 20 mm, è caratterizzato dagli alloggiamenti dei riflettori a forma di "L" e da una sezione centrale di colore nero, che enfatizza l'abbassamento del baricentro conferendo più carattere alla linea della vettura.

La nuova CT HYBRID sarà disponibile in una scelta tra 10 colori esterni (tutti con rivestimento anti graffio). La novità più importante è il nuovo Rosso Brillante.

INTERNI RAFFINATI E NUOVI EQUIPAGGIAMENTI

L'abitacolo della nuova CT HYBRID fissa nuovi standard in termini di comfort e raffinatezza, raggiungendo un nuovo livello qualitativo, sia a livello visivo che tattile.

Il lato guida beneficia inoltre di un nuovo volante in pelle dal diametro di 370 mm, identico a quello disponibile sulla gamma IS.

La strumentazione Optitron è disponibile oggi con un nuovo display integrale TFT (Thin Film Transistor) da 4,2", collegato al sistema multimediale e controllato dai comandi presenti sul volante.

I sistemi Lexus Media Display e Lexus Premium Navigation dispongono oggi di un numero maggiore di funzioni, e sono caratterizzati da una grande facilità di utilizzo e da un controllo del riconoscimento vocale ulteriormente migliorato. Il Lexus Media Display dispone inoltre di un nuovo controller posizionato sulla console centrale.

Le nuove funzioni includono: compatibilità multi-USB con doppio ingresso; una nuova funzione per la visualizzazione delle fotografie; Mirror-link

(interazione con cellulare); visualizzazione Cover Art degli album musicali; funzione radio cache per la registrazione dei programmi fino a un massimo di 20 minuti.

Il dispositivo Remote Touch adotta oggi comandi più intuitivi, il Lexus Premium Navigation è stato sottoposto a ulteriori perfezionamenti, mentre i sistemi audio dispongono della prima tecnologia con altoparlanti in legno di bambù.

La lista degli optional include la disponibilità dell'impianto audio Mark Levinson mentre il controllo di pressione dei pneumatici è ora standard su tutta la gamma.

Il nuovo Sistema di Controllo dell'Illuminazione dispone di tre diverse funzioni:

Il Follow Me Home, che attiva i fari e altre luci per un intervallo di tempo tra i 30 e i 120 secondi, l'interruzione automatica dell'illuminazione interna a distanza di 20 minuti dallo spegnimento del motore e una funzione di benvenuto che illumina per 15 secondi determinate aree esterne e interne della vettura all'apertura delle portiere.;

Il rinnovamento riguarda anche le tonalità cromatiche della console centrale e il rivestimento dei pannelli delle portiere. Le finiture interne sono disponibili in una scelta tra 5 varianti, incluse quelle in legno Shimamoku, con un elegante rivestimento in pellicola ad effetto metallizzato destinato ai comandi presenti sulla console centrale.

Sarà infine disponibile la scelta tra 3 tappezzerie in tessuto e 3 in pelle, con l'inserimento del nuovo Topaz Brown.

Remote Touch

Il dispositivo Remote Touch, integrato all'interno del Lexus Premium Navigation, dispone di un comando per l'inserimento dei dati molto comodo da usare. Il sistema funziona proprio come fosse il mouse di un computer ed è stato adattato in maniera specifica per l'utilizzo all'interno di una vettura.

La manopola del Remote Touch, studiata per assicurare la massima sensibilità tattile, offre un funzionamento semplice e intuitivo che consente all'utente di muovere velocemente il cursore sul display e accedere ai sistemi audio, alla regolazione del climatizzatore, al telefono, al navigatore e alle impostazioni della vettura.

La selezione delle icone sullo schermo viene facilitata dal sistema, che automaticamente 'attira' il cursore sull'icona alla quale ci si avvicina maggiormente, minimizzando i tempi di distrazione ai danni del guidatore.

Lexus Premium Navigation

La nuova CT HYBRID può essere equipaggiata con due sistemi di navigazione Lexus tra i quali scegliere: il Lexus Navigation ed il Lexus Premium Navigation, che include gli esclusivi Lexus Connected Services.

Gestibile attraverso una comoda manopola e dal Lexus Media Display da 7", Il Lexus navigation è un sistema estremamente intuitivo che offre al cliente un'ampia varietà di opzioni.

Accessibile attraverso il sistema Remote Touch, il Lexus Premium Navigation beneficia di un potente hard Disk (HDD) da 40 Gb. Il sistema copre l'intero continente europeo e include la visualizzazione delle informazioni sul traffico di tutti i paesi. Questo navigatore dispone di un sistema di riconoscimento vocale in molte lingue, tra cui il Russo, e di un nuovo menu con 14 lingue diverse, compreso l'alfabeto cirillico.

Il Lexus Premium Navigation della nuova CT HYBRID dispone oggi di 29 aggiornamenti e nuove funzioni, tra cui la City View tridimensionale, la Google Street View, il servizio Panoramio, la connettività Wi-fi e la mappatura digitale delle strade.

Sistema audio con altoparlanti in legno di bambù

La qualità audio dei sistemi Lexus da 6 e 10 altoparlanti è stata arricchita grazie all'adozione di una tecnologia che utilizza il legno di bambù, una premiére per Lexus.

Costruiti con l'impiego di un complesso composto, che unisce le fibre del legno di bambù a resina, gli altoparlanti sono sagomati con uno spessore di soli 0,2-0,3 mm e pesano circa il 10-15% in meno rispetto agli altoparlanti convenzionali, possedendo però una rigidità e una velocità sonica superiori rispettivamente del 20% e del 10%. Come risultato, il suono risulta più pulito e naturale rispetto ai diaframmi in resina.

Sistema Mark Levinson® Premium Surround con 13 altoparlanti

Il Sistema Mark Levinson® Premium Surround dispone di 13 altoparlanti e di un amplificatore ML a 8 canali. Grazie al disco rigido del navigatore, il sistema Mark Levinson® offre anche un servizio di "Libreria Musicale" che utilizza la tecnologia Compact Disc Database per trasferire e immagazzinare i file musicali fino ad una capacità di 10 Gb.

Il sistema include diverse caratteristiche che garantiscono una qualità del suono senza paragoni. L'unità coassiale a canale centrale, con un cono metallico da 90 mm mid-range e un tweeter da 16 mm, aumenta il raggio delle frequenze per produrre suoni e musica con un livello di precisione più elevato rispetto a quello dei sistemi convenzionali, andando contemporaneamente a coordinare i suoni tra gli altoparlanti anteriori di destra e di sinistra.

Gli altoparlanti coassiali secondari da 90 mm sono stati inseriti nel montante centrale e in quello posteriore per estendere le frequenze sonore. Gli altoparlanti satellitari sono invece stati collocati sulla parte alta del montante posteriore per alzare le tonalità medio-alte e ottenere un suono più realistico. Infine, il nuovo subwoofer Mark Levinson® da 200 mm, collocato all'interno della copertura dello spazio di carico, produce un suono dei bassi estremamente nitido e profondo.

CERTIFICATO EMISSIONI: EURO 6

La Nuova CT HYBRID è già stata omologata Euro 6, a questo si aggiunge una significativa riduzione delle emissioni che assicura livelli di CO₂ ai vertici della categoria.

I modelli equipaggiati con cerchi da 15" dispongono di serie di pneumatici con bassa resistenza al rollio, studiati per ridurre le emissioni di CO₂ di 5 g/km rispetto alla precedente generazione, per un totale di soli 82 g/km.

I numerosi affinamenti aerodinamici hanno anche ridotto le emissioni del modelli equipaggiati con i cerchi da 16", che scendono da 94 a soli 88g/km.

MAGGIORE COMFORT ED ELEGANZA

Con un abitacolo studiato per offrire il massimo comfort di guida, la CT HYBRID nasce per unire un handling eccezionale al dinamismo e al comfort delle vetture Lexus.

I massimi livelli di stabilità sono assicurati dall'elevata rigidità strutturale del telaio, dal baricentro basso e dalla minimizzazione dei momenti d'inerzia realizzata grazie all'ampio uso di componenti in alluminio, tra cui il cofano, il portellone posteriore e i rinforzi dei paraurti.

La sospensione anteriore MacPherson lavora insieme al braccio oscillante posteriore per assicurare i migliori livelli di comfort e tenuta di strada.

Introdotto per la prima volta su un modello Lexus, l'esclusivo sistema di smorzatori laterali è stato realizzato per assorbire e minimizzare le vibrazioni della scocca, promuovendo una sterzata più lineare e un comfort di guida ulteriormente migliorato.

La nuova CT HYBRID unisce questi nuovi livelli di rigidità e gli affinamenti in termini di sospensioni, sterzo e aerodinamica, alle numerose misure adottate per ridurre i livelli di NVH, studiate per assicurare prestazioni eccellenti e la massima silenziosità all'interno dell'abitacolo.

Maggiore rigidità strutturale

La rigidità del telaio è assicurata dall'inserimento di 20 nuovi punti di saldatura attorno all'apertura del portellone e dall'utilizzo di una particolare tecnica di incollaggio per il sottoscocca.

Sospensioni e servosterzo elettrico

La maggiore rigidità strutturale ha consentito di affinare la messa a punto delle sospensioni, con l'ottimizzazione della molla a spirale, l'adozione di una nuova valvola per gli ammortizzatori e la modifica del diametro della barra stabilizzatrice posteriore, che insieme contribuiscono a migliorare il comfort di guida senza alcun compromesso in termini di handling.

Il servosterzo elettrico è stato perfezionato e adattato alle nuove caratteristiche del telaio, mentre la maggiore rigidità del supporto del piantone assicura la massima sensibilità di guida, riuscendo a far convivere il comfort con una reattività straordinaria.

Straordinari livelli aerodinamici

L'aerodinamica della vettura è stata affinata grazie all'adozione di nervature sulle portiere e pinne stabilizzatrici sui gruppi ottici posteriori. Questi accorgimenti ottimizzano il flusso dell'aria lungo la scocca per ridurre le vibrazioni della vettura.

Le ulteriori pinne posizionate sui rivestimenti inferiori del motore e del pianale posteriore aiutano inoltre a ottimizzare la deportanza e migliorare l'aderenza e la stabilità del veicolo. Il nuovo design dello spoiler aiuta a sua volta a migliorare le prestazioni aerodinamiche, in particolare sui modelli F Sport, il cui esclusivo design favorisce l'ulteriore minimizzazione della deportanza.

Riduzione dei livelli di NVH

Oltre alla proverbiale silenziosità della trasmissione Lexus Hybrid Drive, la nuova CT HYBRID presenta ben 94 affinamenti realizzati per ridurre ulteriormente i livelli di NVH, in particolare per limitare le frequenze medio-alte all'interno dell'abitacolo.

Il nuovo design del condotto di aspirazione unisce un materiale molto permeabile a un'esclusiva piastra studiata per ridurre il rumore e assicurare un suono di aspirazione estremamente gradevole.

Le cavità sono state riempite con un materiale più denso in maniera tale da ridurre ulteriormente il rumore proveniente dal vano motore. L'adozione di rivestimenti isolanti per gli archi ruota posteriori e di nuovi separatori per il parafango anteriore contribuiscono a ridurre il rumore proveniente dalla carreggiata.

La maggiore rigidità della staffa degli ammortizzatori aiuta invece a eliminare le vibrazioni della scocca.

Nuova mappatura della trasmissione

L'esperienza di guida risulta ulteriormente migliorata grazie alla nuova, accurata mappatura della trasmissione E-CVT. Il risultato sono regimi del motore più lineari e in armonia con le velocità della vettura, proprio come accade con le trasmissioni automatiche convenzionali.

Selettore della modalità di guida

In aggunta alla modalità NORMAL della trasmissione Full Hybrid sono disponibili tre ulteriori modalità di guida 'on-demand' (EV, ECO e SPORT) da scegliere attraverso il selettore a manopola oppure con il comando EV posizionato accanto ad esso. Queste modalità impostano un comportamento più dinamico oppure più rilassato da parte della vettura, migliorando l'efficienza, i consumi e le emissioni, oppure incrementando le prestazioni e la dinamica del veicolo.

Le modalità EV, ECO e NORMAL impostano un atteggiamento più rilassato, privilegiando il comfort di guida, un'accelerazione più lineare e la minimizzazione dei livelli di NVH.

CT HYBRID è in grado di partire in modalità esclusivamente elettrica e di arrivare ad una velocità massima di 45 Km/h senza ricorrere all'ausilio del motore benzina, assicurando una guida estremamente silenziosa per una percorrenza massima di due chilometri. Si tratta di una modalità di guida disponibile esclusivamente sulle vetture Full Hybrid.

In modalità ECO, la reattività della valvola a farfalla a comandi troppo aggressivi da parte dell'acceleratore viene ridotta, e il controllo dell'aria condizionata ottimizzato per una maggiore economia dei consumi. A seconda delle condizioni di guida, la modalità ECO può aiutare il cliente ad adottare uno stile di guida più rilassante e ottenere una sensibile riduzione dei consumi.

La modalità SPORT privilegia la potenza, e quindi permette un comportamento più dinamico della vettura, mantenendo regimi del motore elevati, con la particolare impostazione della farfalla e del servosterzo, per ottenere la massima reazione agli input provenienti dal guidatore. Questa modalità bilancia inoltre il funzionamento dei sistemi di Controllo della Stabilità e Controllo della Trazione, ottimizzando le prestazioni e l'agilità della CT HYBRID.

Le differenze tra questi diversi atteggiamenti della vettura si riflettono inoltre sul simultaneo cambiamento della strumentazione di bordo, con l'illuminazione del pannello strumenti e del selettore che passa dal blu ibrido delle modalità EV, ECO e NORMAL al rosso della modalità SPORT. Allo stesso tempo, l'econometro si trasforma in un contagiri.

Trasmissione Lexus Hybrid Drive

Il sistema Lexus Hybrid Drive unisce un motore benzina a ciclo Atkinson da 99 CV/73 kW e 1.798 cc a un potente motore elettrico da 80 CV/60 kW, oltre a disporre di un esclusivo sistema per la gestione dell'energia.

L'adozione da parte degli ingegneri Lexus di alcune specifiche innovazioni e di una particolare messa a punto del software hanno consentito il sostanziale miglioramento delle prestazioni ambientali e di guida di questo sistema Full Hybrid serie/parallelo, oltre all'abbattimento dei livelli di NVH.

Con una potenza combinata di 136 CV/100 kW, la CT HYBRID esprime un'accelerazione 0-100 km/h in 10,3 secondi e una velocità massima di 180 km/h. Si tratta di prestazioni paragonabili a quelle dei principali modelli della concorrenza presenti nello stesso segmento.

Di contro, la CT HYBRID assicura consumi notevolmente ridotti, con cifre nel ciclo combinato pari a 3,6 l/100 km, ottimizzando inoltre le emissioni ai vertici della categoria, con un livello di CO₂ pari a soli 82 g/km.

Il sistema Lexus Hybrid Drive produce emissioni di NOx e particolato ben inferiori a quelle di un veicolo diesel, con la possibilità di azzerare completamente qualsiasi tipo di emissione grazie al funzionamento in modalità elettrica.

CT HYBRID sottolinea le straordinarie credenziali ambientali del sistema Lexus Hybrid Drive con un design che include numerose misure per il risparmio energetico e per la salvaguardia ambientale. Queste vedono l'impiego di un climatizzatore a risparmio energetico dotato di riscaldamento proattivo dei sedili, l'utilizzo di illuminazione a LED, un amplificatore a risparmio energetico, altoparlanti in bambù per il sistema audio e l'ampio utilizzo di materiali di origine biologica.

DESIGN F SPORT

La variante F SPORT è caratterizzata da un aspetto più solido, per offrire una maggiore differenziazione rispetto alle altre versioni del modello.

Il nuovo design della griglia eredita lo schema a nido d'ape presente sulla IS F SPORT, con il capovolgimento della sezione inferiore e di quella superiore. Gli alloggiamenti dei fendinebbia, anch'essi dotati di finiture a nido d'ape, vengono messi in evidenza dall'esclusiva pinna nera.

Sul retro, l'esclusivo spoiler presenta delle piccole fessure che aiutano a ridurre ulteriormente la deportanza e a migliorare l'aderenza e la stabilità della vettura, mentre gli alloggiamenti dei riflettori sono caratterizzati dallo stesso schema a nido d'ape della griglia anteriore.

I cerchi in lega da 17" con 10 razze sottolineano il carattere dinamico delle varianti F SPORT. Il modello è disponibile in una scelta tra 9 colori esterni, inclusi il nuovissimo Rosso Brillante e l'esclusivo Bianco F Sport (esclusivo per i modelli F SPORT).

Gli interni dei modelli F SPORT dispongono di tappezzerie, inserti e rivestimenti assolutamente esclusivi. I nuovi sedili propongono nuovi cuscini laterali e poggiatesta in pelle sintetica, il pannello centrale in tessuto e nuove cuciture, con una scelta tra 2 schemi cromatici: Nero e Dark Rose. Sarà inoltre disponibile la scelta della tappezzeria in pelle nei colori Nero e Dark Rose.

Gli interni F SPORT sono distinguibili inoltre dai pedali e battitacco in alluminio, dal volante in pelle traforata, dall'esclusiva leva del cambio e dal logo F SPORT. La scelta tra 4 rivestimenti interni include il legno Shimamoku e l'esclusiva pellicola in argento metallizzato.

Le varianti F SPORT racchiudono tutte le migliorie apportate alla gamma CT HYBRID in termini di prestazioni, con l'aggiunta di dettagli realizzati esclusivamente per questo modello: la particolare impostazione della molla a spirale e l'esclusiva distribuzione della rigidità di rollio, due fattori che aiutano a migliorare ulteriormente le prestazioni sportive della vettura.

SICUREZZA AI VERTICI DELLA CATEGORIA

La nuova CT HYBRID è equipaggiata di serie con la gamma di dispositivi di sicurezza attiva e passiva più completa del segmento. Queste tecnologie, studiate per unire la migliore assistenza alla guida e la massima sicurezza degli occupanti e dei pedoni, hanno consentito al modello di ottenere il massimo delle 5 Stelle Euro NCAP, l'NCAP negli Stati Uniti e le 6 Stelle J-NCAP in Giappone.

Gli occupanti sono protetti da una robustissima cella di sicurezza che fa ampio uso di acciaio ad alta resistenza proteggendoli in caso di collisione.

Gli otto airbag e i sedili anteriori con protezione dagli effetti del colpo di frusta sono disponibili di serie, mentre il sistema di distribuzione elettronica della forza frenante include l'antibloccaggio dei freni (ABS), l'assistenza alla frenata (BA), il controllo della trazione (TRC) e il controllo della stabilità (VSC).

LA PRIMA LEXUS PROGETTATA DA UNA DONNA

La nuova CT HYBRID è stata sviluppata da Chika Kako, la prima donna a ricoprire il ruolo di Chief Engineer per Lexus.

Kako-san è una Material Engineer. è entrata a far parte della Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) nel 1989 ed è stata la responsabile dello sviluppo di materiali interni ed esterni e di materiali isolanti, oltre ad aver risolto diverse problematiche legate all'appannamento degli interni e all'ingresso di odori nell'abitacolo.

È la prima dipendente TMC ad essere stata trasferita in una struttura R&D oltreoceano. Si è trasferita in Europa nel 2001, periodo in cui ha lavorato a un progetto speciale rivolto alla qualità interna delle vetture.

Dopo il suo ritorno in Giappone nel 2004, Kako-san si è trasferita nel reparto Lexus Brand Planning, prima di essere assegnata al Lexus Product Planning, reparto in cui ha assistito i Chief Engineer dei progetti RX e IS.

2014 el nuevo lexus ct 200h: es

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 01:45:00 +0100

• Un diseño exterior más elegante y sofisticado

• Un interior refinado con una calidad visual y táctil mejorada

• Reducción de las emisiones de CO2 líderes en su clase hasta los 82 g/km

• Una experiencia de conducción mejorada y unos bajos niveles de NVH

• El primer Lexus desarrollado por una jefa de ingenieros

Por medio del refuerzo de los ideales del lujo, sello de la marca Lexus, este nuevo hatchback compacto ofrece un estilo exterior más sofisticado, un interior mucho más refinado con un equipamiento actualizado, un confort de conducción mejorado y una mayor distinción con la versión F SPORT.

UN MODELO CLAVE EN EUROPA

El CT 200h juega un papel crucial para Lexus. Situado en el segmento C Premium, el más amplio y más competitivo del mercado europeo, este modelo supone un punto de entrada en la marca Lexus. Se ha diseñado para atraer a una clientela joven pero también capta al 85% de los compradores de otras marcas.

La historia del CT 200h es corta pero se ha establecido rápidamente como modelo central en la línea de productos europeos de Lexus. Desde su lanzamiento al mercado en enero de 2011, se han vendido al menos 42.000 unidades del CT 200h en todo el continente, lo que representa un 25% del total de las ventas globales de este modelo.

El CT 200h es el vehículo de Lexus que mejor se ha vendido en varios países europeos como Francia, Reino Unido, Italia, España, Noruega y los Países Bajos.

Se han invertido importantes recursos en el desarrollo del CT 200h. En este proyecto han participado más de 1.400 personas entre ingenieros y personal, centrándose en dos objetivos principales:

En primer lugar, reforzar la imagen de ideal de lujo del CT 200h por medio de un diseño atrevido, de acuerdo con la nueva estrategia de marca de Lexus.

En segundo lugar, para mejorar la experiencia de conducción, tanto por el perfeccionamiento de la conducción del vehículo como por los valores tradicionales de Lexus como el confort, el refinamiento y las tecnologías avanzadas.

DISEÑO EXTERIOR SOFISTICADO

El estilo exterior del nuevo CT 200h es mucho más dinámico y sofisticado y está diseñado para atraer a una clientela más joven.

La parte delantera presenta una evolución del diseño de la "rejilla con forma de doble punta de flecha" de Lexus. El centro se ha empujado hacia adelante para dar una apariencia más potente y tridimensional que da forma a un capó altamente aerodinámico, a un parachoques más bajo y al guardabarros delantero.

La nueva rejilla, cuyas esquinas inferiores distan 100 mm más entre sí que las del modelo actual y que presenta unos puntos de fijación más bajos, está más reforzada en la parte inferior delantera del perfil y en la banda de rodamiento, que es más ancha y deportiva.

Sus formas se destacan con un acabado en negro y contrasta con la parte superior cromada y con la parte inferior decorada con embellecedores metálicos poniendo de relieve una estructura tridimensional más sofisticada de la nueva rejilla.

Como en todos los Lexus, la rejilla está situada por debajo de los faros para crear un aspecto atrevido que distingue a la marca. Los faros también cuentan con unas luces de LED nuevas con acabados ahumados metalizados de alta calidad.

Los alojamientos de las luces antiniebla situados en la parte inferior del parachoques se han diseñado para combinar con el acabado en negro de la rejilla en forma de huso. Presenta unas hendiduras aerodinámicas integradas que ayudan a moderar el flujo de aire por la parte delantera del vehículo y conseguir una estabilidad mejorada a altas velocidades.

De perfil, el nuevo CT 200h puede identificarse por una selección de llantas de aleación de 16" y de 17" de nuevo desarrollo y 10 radios y una nueva antena en el techo con forma de aleta de tiburón.

En la parte trasera se puede observar el nuevo diseño del parachoques, que es 20 mm más bajo en los extremos y tiene una estructura más horizontal. Incorpora alojamientos distintivos para los reflectores en forma de L y una sección central inferior en negro para acentuar el centro de gravedad del vehículo y una planta trasera más ancha.

El nuevo CT 200h está disponible en 11 colores para la carrocería incluyendo un nuevo color Rojo. Y todos los trabajos de pintura ahora se benefician de una capa superior resistente a los arañazos y autorregeneradora.

Frankfurt 2011 press kit: the new lexus ct 200h f-sport

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 03:00:00 +0200

The 2010 launch of the Lexus CT 200h marked the introduction of the first, and only, full hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment.

Created for those who have an environmental conscience but have no wish to lower their standards, the CT 200h is Lexus' first ever compact, five-door car. It has introduced the company's unique synthesis of unparalleled quality, sophistication and high technology to the segment for the first time.

Priced to compete at the heart of the segment, it has brought a younger group of customers to the brand. In doing so, it has contributed considerably to Lexus' growth in Europe; as of March 2011 making up over 70% of Lexus Hybrid Drive orders and over half of the total Lexus European order bank.

With class-leading emissions just 87g/km, the CT 200h offers the highest tax advantages in many European countries, and will deliver unprecedented benefits in total ownership costs to private owners, company car drivers through lower personal taxation, and fleet operators through write-down allowances.

The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show marks the European debut of a new F-Sport version, which will expand the appeal of the CT 200h to an even wider customer base.

The CT 200h F-Sport features a new suspension set-up, offering customers a more dynamic and engaging drive. The coil spring rates have been changed to a more dynamic setting, and the standard car's Showa shock absorbers have been replaced with more sports-oriented, Kayaba dampers.

With its CO₂ emissions of just 94g/km the new F-Sport version allows dynamic yet environmentally conscious driving.

The new Lexus may be readily identified by several, more aggressive exterior design elements. These include F-Sport-exclusive front and rear aero bumpers and upper and lower mesh-type grilles. Outward flaring side skits reinforce the front to rear flow of the character line at the lower edge of the front bumper, and make the body appear lower. A larger spoiler is extended by 30mm to maximise the vehicle's aerodynamic performance. F-Sport 17" dark alloy wheels with black ornamentation and F-Sport side badging complete the exterior treatment.

The CT 200h F-Sport will be available in a range of eight colours, excluding model-specific Fire Agate and Silver Blue.

The interior is hallmarked by an F-Sport-exclusive, perforated leather steering wheel, aluminium pedals, a black roof lining, and F-Sport 'Lexus' scuff plates. F-Sport seat upholstery is available in a choice of 'Abyss Blue' , mesh pattern fabric with black side bolsters, or 'Galaxy Black' leather with white perforations.

Complimenting the CT 200h's already comprehensive standard equipment specification, the F-Sport is further equipped with cruise control, a lateral performance damper system and an electro-chromatic rear view mirror with an integral rear camera screen.

Optional equipments are Full Map Navigation system, heated leather powered seats, LED headlights, Smart Entry, Sunroof and Alarm system.

Lexus to introduce an exclusive drive mode selector on the new ct 200h

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0200

1/ 'We have developed the CT 200h as a true driver's car with appropriate steering feel, responsive acceleration and agile handling, but also as a full hybrid with class-leading emissions values and superb refinement.'

2/ 'Thanks to the Drive Mode Selector, the CT 200h instantly changes its personality to match the driver's mood.'

3/ 'With CT 200h, we have the first and only full hybrid premium compact hybrid with a chassis that drivers will truly enjoy.' Bruno Reike, General Manager, Vehicle Performance Management, Toyota Motor Europe

Unique Drive Mode Selector adapts new Lexus CT 200h driving characteristics to driver's mood

Choice of NORMAL, ECO and SPORT modes

Simultaneous adaptation of driver's instruments and cabin illumination to reinforce driving mood change

Adapting the new CT 200h to either a Dynamic or Relaxing driving mood, a unique Drive Mode Selector switch offers a choice of NORMAL, ECO or SPORT driving modes,.

NORMAL and ECO drive modes place the emphasis on a Relaxing driving mood, with particular attention paid to ride comfort, smooth acceleration and the superb refinement which hallmarks every Lexus.

In ECO mode, throttle response to aggressive accelerator pedal inputs is reduced and air-conditioning control optimized for improved fuel economy. Drivers will enjoy a more relaxed, eco-conscious driving experience with the emphasis on maximum fuel efficiency and minimal emissions.

Specifically tuned to deliver greater electric motor power, SPORT mode focuses on a Dynamic driving mood, allowing drivers to take full advantage of the new CT 200h's sporting driving position, high body rigidity, unique chassis and suspension settings, direct steering response and engaging agility.

The hybrid system Power Control Unit (PCU) boosts supply voltage by 150v to a maximum 650v, increasing overall powertrain output. Engine revs are held higher, and throttle and Electric Power Steering (EPS) settings are modified to give a faster response to driver inputs.

2/2 In addition, SPORT mode provides less intrusive operation of the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC) systems, allowing drivers to fully exploit the new Lexus full hybrid's extended dynamic abilities.

The highly distinct character of both the CT 200h's Dynamic and Relaxing driving moods is further reinforced through changes to the driver's instruments and the cabin lighting, synchronised to driving mode selection.

Backlit in hybrid blue for the NORMAL and ECO drive modes, the instrument panel illumination, Drive Mode Selector switch and a spotlight in the centre cluster automatically alter to red when the SPORT mode is selected. Simultaneously, the hybrid power indicator function alters to that of tachometer.

Driving Mode

Relaxing (EV), ECO, NORMAL

Dynamic SPO

Ends.

About Lexus

Launched in 1989, Lexus has become renowned throughout the world for its pursuit of perfection, the outstanding quality and sophisticated high-technology content of its products, and for its unique concept of complete customer service. Further reinforcing the traditional Lexus values of unparalleled build quality, interior luxury and state-of-the-art technology, the L-finesse design philosophy represents a highly significant factor in positioning Lexus as a uniquely desirable global brand. Today, Lexus remains the first - and only - premium automotive manufacturer to offer a comprehensive full-hybrid model range comprising the RX 450h, the GS 450h, and the LS 600h. In Europe, the mix of Lexus Hybrid Drive is approximately 50% for the GS and the LS range, and around 80% for the RX.

2010 lexus geneva motors show: lexus at geneva motor show 2010 abridged

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:00:00 +0200

CT 200h

Entering production at the end of 2010 for sale throughout the world, the CT 200h is Lexus' first ever compact, five-door car. It marks the introduction of the first, and only, full hybrid vehicle to the European premium compact segment.

Retaining strong visual links to the LF-Ch concept, the CT 200h has a highly distinctive, sharp-edged, resolute appearance which immediately sets it apart from rivals. Its interior brings unprecedented levels of quality, refinement and progressive luxury to the segment.

Combining a 1.8 litre VVT-i petrol engine and a powerful electric motor, the CT 200h's Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain combines 2.0 litre performance with class leading CO₂ emissions. It offers customers a choice of two distinct driving moods -Dynamic, or Relaxing- in conjunction with four, selectable drive modes.

Featuring a new platform with unique double wishbone suspension architecture to the rear, the Lexus CT 200h has been specifically developed to combine superior driving involvement and handling agility with the ride comfort expected of any Lexus.

Created for those who wish to lower their emissions but not their standards, the CT 200h is new gateway to Lexus, and will bring a younger group of customers to the brand.

LFA

LFA Sales

Since its debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, global demand for Lexus' thoroughbred LFA supercar has remained consistently strong, and the level of demand is now in excess of the announced 500 unit production run.

However, Lexus has not yet confirmed any orders, and prospective customers who have not yet registered their interest should not be deterred.

The deadline for receiving initial expressions of interest is set at mid-March, to coincide with the end of the Geneva Motor Show. Thereafter, the process of allocating the 500 units across the 56 countries wherein the LFA is being offered will begin.

Final allocation will be fixed in April, and individual orders confirmed with customers by the end of May.

Customer Information

Encapsulating a broad spectrum of customer profiles from business people to drivers of competition sports cars, some 75-80% of requests for further information or expressions of interest have come from non-Lexus customers.

The remaining 20-25% are Lexus owners already familiar with the unparalleled levels of quality, refinement and technological sophistication which hallmark the brand.

A high percentage of requests have come from customers who have closely followed the different stages of concept car development since the LFA project was started in 2000, and who appreciate its unique, eye-catching design.

A complete information on the LFA including all technical specifications can be found on the USB stick enclosed to this presskit.

RX 450h FWD

Boasting class-leading CO₂ emissions of just 140 g/km, a new, front-wheel drive version of Lexus' full hybrid crossover, the RX 450h FWD, is now on sale in selected European markets.

The RX 450h is the high-performance flagship of the RX range, the third generation of which remains the world's best-selling SUV. Combining smooth, powerful performance with class-leading CO₂, NOx and particulate emissions, the benefits of second generation Lexus Hybrid Drive continue to attract new customers to the brand.

Sales of the RX 450h have been higher than expected, and its segment share has grown significantly in major European markets. This trend is expected to continue, and will be boosted by the arrival of the RX 450h FWD.

The new, front-wheel drive Lexus SUV shares the RX 450h AWD's full hybrid drive powertrain componentry and 220 kW/299 bhp maximum power output, but has no rear transaxle or rear electric motor, effecting a weight saving of some 65 kg. It returns class-leading CO₂ and NOx emissions of 140 g/km and 13 mg/km respectively.

Positioned at the heart of the fleet market and on the significant, 140 g/km European taxation threshold, the new, front-wheel drive Lexus full hybrid crossover reinforces the RX 450h's position as the cleanest and most efficient premium SUV in its class.