Lexus CT200h Minor Change

2014 Lexus CT200h

So, Toyota Motor Corporation kicks off the year 2014 with a new model launch and for a start, it's a facelifted Lexus CT200h hybrid hatchback. Although it's not as sharp-dressed as any other rivals from Europe, the CT is positioned as the cheapest Lexus money can buy so, for this 2014 minor change, how about a little 47 second science?

2014 Lexus CT200h

For its 2014 minor change, the CT now gains the Japanese luxury brand's signature Spindle Grille, first applied on the Lexus GS two years ago. It maybe sounds more predatory but the new face always in tune with the times of today's trends.

2014 Lexus CT200h interior

2014 Lexus CT200h interior

On the interior, there's not much to see of a change except some minor adjustments and tweaks on the software. However, there are over 80 variations of the selection patter of the interior color and seat upholstery. The seat upholstery now adopts L tex, don't know what it is, and depending on the variant, there are numerous seat colors to choose, sure enough to make it yours and unique.

What about performance? Well, not much of change here on the 2ZR-FXE 1.8L engine connected to a 3JM electric motor and the conventional nickel metal battery. Running on engine alone, it produces 99PS of power and 142Nm of torque while running on electric motor alone, it produces 82PS of power and 207Nm of torque. However, the biggest change here is its fuel economy and the base model will have a JC08 mode-calculated fuel economy of 30.4kmpl while higher-end models get around 26.6kmpl of fuel economy.

Steering wise, it still comes with the rack and pinion power steering while the suspension system relies on MacPherson struts on the front and double wishbones at the back. Not quite surprising but when you discover the Drive Mode Selector, you can select to three modes such as ECO for economical driving, NORMAL for well-balanced, and SPORT which makes the suspension get even harder for tight cornering.

2014 Lexus CT200h F-Sport

There's even an F-SPORT model as well and in this model, it comes with a rear-spoiler, a scary-looking front face, rear bumper, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and a black roof while on the inside, it comes with a new Dark Rose Leather, Dark Rose and Black, slate gray and black fabric. Don't get too comfy on this one because the F-Sport comes with a track-tuned suspension which some say it's made for even tighter cornering and emotional driving feel. Not quite sure but when it gets understeer, it really wasn't their fault.

The 2014 CT200h starts at 3,560,000 Japanese Yen up to 4,480,000 Yen, including consumption tax.

Available colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Mercury Grey Mica, Platinum Silver Metallic, Black, Black Opal Mica, Red Mica Crystal Shine, Mader Red, Fire Agate Mica Metallic, Flare Yellow Mica Metallic, Exceed Blue Metallic, and White Nova Glass Flake.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation