Toyota Luxury: 2011 Lexus CT 200h.

In a world of luxury, the Lexus is Toyota's version of luxury. The CT 200h is a hybrid that combines luxury and sportiness in one product.

The CT 200h (CT for Compact Tourer) will be Lexus’s fifth hybrid offering and, with a combined city-highway mileage of 42 mpg, it will be the first vehicle in the luxury segment to step over the 40-mpg line. ENGINE

The CT 200h is powered the Prius powertrain version with an efficient Atkinson cycle 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 98 horsepower and 105 pounds-feet of torque. Combined with an 80-hp electric motor, a generator and a 202-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack, the hybrid system produces a total of 134 hp. The CT 200h offers multiple driving modes: EV allows drivers to go all electric for up to a mile—so long as the car is kept below 25 mph on flat paved surfaces. Normal mode brings the CVT into play, allowing the car to respond to changing driving conditions by instantaneously adjusting its gear ratios. Eco This mode alters that formula to provide maximized fuel economy for gas-electric driving—slowing cabin cooling, limiting throttle and accelerating regenerative braking to charge up the battery. In Sport is calibrated towards performance and handling. The throttle is cranked up considerably, power control from the battery is increased from 500 to 600 volts, the electric power steering is adjusted to be more responsive and the stability and traction control systems become less intrusive. CT is a step towards affordable and environmentally frienly car, but fails to deliver in climb. Exterior

The CT 200h has big back door instead of a trunk together with the other four doors. The CT 200h was designed for Europe where luxury five-door hatchbacks are taking up a huge share of the market. Interior

Lexus provides alot of comfortable seating positions and space for the driver and front seat passenger and the back passegers seats are compact. This cannot be said for its cabin. Its like Lexus were interested in putting as much gadgetry in there without any thought of design or aestatic.

The retractable cargo cover provides privacy in back, and there’s plenty of room behind the back seat as the rear seatbacks can be fold forward, providing a flat cargo floor.