Australian pricing and specifications for the updated 2018 Lexus CT200h range have been announced this week, with the company’s smallest model now kicking off at $40,900 before on-road costs (+$2150).
Offsetting the price hike is a raft of visual, equipment and technology upgrades that should help the Lexus be more competitive in the premium small car segment.
As before, the Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury grades will be offered, with the line-up ranging from $40,900 to $56,900.
The entry-level Luxury gets the Lexus Safety System+ – which includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist, adaptive cruise control and auto high beam – along with a larger 10.3-inch infotainment system (up from 7.0 inches) with satellite navigation, Emform connected services, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 4.2-inch driver’s display and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror.
Optionally available on the base model is an enhancement pack ($4500) adds larger 17-inch alloys, LED fog-lights, DAB+ digital radio, leather-accented interior trim, and heated front seats. A power moonroof is also offered for an additional $2500.
Next up is the F Sport (pictured) at $50,400 plus ORCs (+$1960). Additional equipment includes bi-LED headlights with washers, LED fog-lights, new 17-inch alloy wheels, and a sports body kit.
There’s also new leather trim choices in the F Sport model, ‘F Sport White’ and ‘F Sport Flare Red’, both of which feature contrasting black trim on the front seats. An all-black interior is available too.
Options include an enhancement pack with a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, moonroof and smart key ($4500), and the standalone moonroof ($2500).
Finally, the Sports Luxury ($56,990, +$810) gets heated and power-adjustable front seats, the Mark Levinson sound system and moonroof.
Premium paint commands an additional $1000 across all grades.
The hybrid drivetrain is unchanged, pairing a 1.8-litre petrol engine with two electric motors for a system output of 100kW. Fuel consumption is rated at 4.1L/100km, while the CT200h can also run at up to 45km/h in electric mode.
Sales wise the CT200h can’t touch the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3, shifting just 51 units in September and 664 year to date (YTD). That compares to 540/3802 for the Benz and 464/3769 for the Audi (Sept/YTD).
2018 Lexus CT200h details
Luxury – $40,900 (+$2150)
F Sport – $50,400 (+$1960)
Sports Luxury – $56,900 (+$810)
Options
Enhancement Pack (Luxury): 17-inch alloys, DAB+ and heated front seats – $4500
Enhancement Pack (F Sport): Moonroof, Mark Levinson sound system, smart key – $4500
Moonroof (Luxury, F Sport) – $2500
Premium paint – $1000
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