Automobile Blog

Japanese luxury automaker Lexus has announced an earlier landing at the US markets in order to achieve an “early 2011” on sale target. And with this announcement, the CT 200h will make its first North American debut in two weeks at the New York International Auto Show.

Lexus’ statement means that the 2012 CT 200h will go on sale in Japan, Europe and North America at about the same time. It has also been reported that Lexus has applied for trademarks on the CT 300h and CT 400h nameplates in the United States and Canada, which leaves the door open for more CT-family offerings in the future.

“When the all-new Lexus CT 200h enters the market, it will be the only hybrid vehicle in the emerging premium compact segment,” said Mark Templin, Lexus division group vice president and general manager. The CT will compete at a lower price point than the automaker’s HS 250h.

The CT 200h, which is based on an all-new-front-wheel drive platform, will slot in as Lexus’ only hybrid-only platform in Europe, where the HS 250h is not currently sold.

The CT 200h is equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) paired to Toyota’s Lexus Hybrid Drive system. The gas-electric drivetrain features four different settings, including Eco, Normal and Sport. The fourth EV setting, seen in some of Lexus’ other recent hybrid offerings, allows the CT 200h to travel up to 1.2 miles at speeds up to 28 mph on all-electric power.