Skip advert
Advertisement

Lexus CT200h review - A premium hatchback alternative - Engine and Gearbox

A frugal choice, but lags well behind German rivals for driving entertainment

Evo rating
Price
from £21,000
  • Peerless Lexus service, reliability and tax-dodging emissions status
  • Eco focus makes for a dreary drive, yet the suspension is overly firm

Engine and gearbox

It might not excite, but the CT 200h’s powertrain is unquestionably impressively engineered. It mates an Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder 1.8-litre petrol engine to an electric motor/generator. They can work entirely independently of each other, or together, depending on the driving mode.

The engine’s maximum output is 98bhp, while the electric motor produces 81bhp. Man-maths might have that equating to 179bhp, but the reality is actually a maximum system output at any one time of only 134bhp. Below 28mph the electric motor can provide all the drive, though manage that and you’ll drain the nickel-hydride batteries in just 1.2 miles if you do achieve electric-only motoring around town.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With that large AC synchronous electric motor/generator there’s no need for a starter motor and the electric motor plays the role of electricity generator when it’s not needed, so energy is recuperated during coasting or regenerative braking.

Drivetrain changes in 2014 saw Lexus adapt the e-CVT transmission’s mapping for a more linear relationship between engine revs and road speed, in a bid to make it feel more like a conventional automatic. It was only partly successful though, as that e-CVT still rather wilfully hangs onto revs if you ask for anything more than modest acceleration.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024