Lexus has unveiled the final production version of its CT200h hybrid hatchback at the Paris motor show.
The company has has announced that it is expected to have CO2 emissions of just 96g/km.
See the pics of the Lexus CT200h at the Paris motor show
Lexus claims that this preliminary CO2 emissions figure is well below that of its similarly powered small premium hatchback rivals.
This figure also puts it in Band A for Vehicle Excise Duty, meaning buyers will pay nothing in road tax each year. Its benefit-in-kind rating is 10 per cent, while its combined fuel economy has been recorded as 68.9mpg.
Read the first drive review of the Lexus CT 200h SE-I
See the pics of the Lexus CT200h in development
Sales will start in the UK in October and the first deliveries are expected in early 2011. Some European markets will get an even greener model with CO2 emissions of 89g/km.
This version will have a slightly different trim specification than the UK model, with changes such as smaller wheels lowering the weight and therefore allowing for the improved CO2 emissions.
A spokesman for Lexus said the heavier UK car's model grade and specification better suits the segment in which it will be competing.
The CT200h uses a tuned version of the Toyota Prius’s 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain and CVT gearbox.
Its electric motor and nickel hydride battery pack help propel the car up to 1.24 miles on electric power alone.
There are four selectable modes for the full hybrid system: Normal, Eco and EV (electric vehicle), plus a Sport setting.
In Sport mode, the MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension firm up and steering and throttle responses are sharpened to boost the CT200h’s agility and road holding.
Read more on the Lexus CT200h, plus see exclusive pics and video
Lexus has set itself the target of making the CT200h “a benchmark for handling in [its] segment” and promised it will be a “sporty” car to drive.
Lexus wants to make the front-drive CT200h a credible dynamic rival for the best-selling Audi A3 and BMW 1-series models in the lucrative premium hatchback segment.
The firm is expecting the car to shift around 30,000 units per year to double Lexus's business in Europe.
First deliveries will be made to UK customers in the New Year when it will be priced from around £21,000.
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Re: Lexus CT200h: 96g/km CO2
Re: Lexus CT200h: 96g/km CO2
Re: Lexus CT200h: 96g/km CO2
If you're right and there's a £1k price hike to make diesel motors Euro 6 compliant then it still makes them cheaper than hybrid equivalents. Take the Audi A3 1.6 TDIe I mentioned earlier... at £18k odd it's about £3k less than the predicted price of the Lexus CT 200h, but with a thousand pounds worth of modifications to meet the latest Euro standards, it's still £2k cheaper.
Plus, the economy of some diesels is already better than a lot of hybrid models (think of rivals to the Lexus GS 400h and LS 600h); the question is which power source will improve faster? EU 6 diesels or petrol/electric hybrids? I guess only time will tell...