Lexus CT 200h Will Start At $30,950

Lexus actually names the Audi A3, the Mercedes-Benz B-Series, the Volvo C30 and the BMW 1-series as the CT 200h’s main competitors. In my opinion, the only one on that list is actually comparable is the Audi A3 and even then only with the TDI engine. They’re both 5 door premium hatchbacks built for efficiency.

And now it has even less in common with those players as the price is significantly cheaper than all of them and on par with the C30. It will start at $30,950.

So since the A3 TDI is the most comparable vehicle, let’s see how they stack up.

The A3 TDI starts at around $35,000 so it’s about 4 grand more. But it gets better efficiency on the highway than the CT 200h, 4.6 L/100 kms and 4.8 L/100 kms respectively. But the CT 200h beats the A3 TDI with its city rating at 4.5 L/100 kms. The A3 gets a still respectable 6.7 in the city.

How the CT 200h drives remains to be seen, but the A3 sets the bar quite high as it is, even though it suffers from under steer as I found out in a test drive.

Which would you take?

[Lexus Canada]

That’s More Like It, Audi

I’ve reviewed the A3 TDI and while I think it’s a nice car, I can’t for the life of me understand why someone would spend the extra $10,000+ over the Volkswagen Golf TDI, since they are essentially the exact same car. I suggested that Audi needed to do something different to set it appart – or at least do more than adding leather and a premium badge. One of my suggestions was to make the diesel more available on other models and it seems Audi took that advice to heart (you’re welcome Audi, by the way).

Audi says the A4, A5, A6, A8 and Q5 will join the A3 and Q7 for diesel availability by 2015. That’s every model in Audi’s lineup. Well, almost every model. Audi was quick to burst our bubble of having a R8 V12 TDI any time soon. Anyway, Audi would be the first automaker in North America to offer a diesel variant in every model it sells. And if they’re smart they’ll also make TDI’s available with Quattro models (as I also suggested). Although apparently Quattro isn’t as good as we once thought.

Audi is hoping their diesel increase will gaim them 20% of the diesel market in the States. Currently they have about 5.5% of the market with the A3 TDI alone.

[Automotive News]

Test Drive: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Highline

By Kevin Harrison

There are a lot of things about North Americans that I really don’t get. For instance why do we like Walmart enough that it has to be open 24 hours? Have you ever bolted up at 4 am wanting to buy a new set of silverware?

Likewise, why are we so opposed to diesels? For some reason we’ve asphyxiated them with a bad reputation, and as a result, North Americans have not responded well to them.

This attitude is in complete contrast to Europe where selling a car without a diesel option is like ordering a hamburger at a Chinese restaurant – it just doesn’t make sense.

VW has been trying for decades to make diesels more mainstream in our market but they hit a bit of a snag in 2007 when stricter emission standards forced them to axe their diesel and revamp it. During that period TDI’s were missing in action in our market.

But they’re back and VW promises them to be even more powerful yet more efficient than before.

Read the rest of this entry »

Test Drive: 2010 Audi A3 TDI

By Kevin Harrison

I was driving behind an old Mercedes-Benz diesel a while back and I have to say, it was about as desirable as playing strip poker with your parents. It was just awful.

I actually had to turn my radio up because that diesel clatter was making my ears bleed. Then, despite being 30 degrees outside, I had to roll up my windows because the exhaust coming out of the tailpipe had a rather black/purple-ish hue that would make even Stephen Harper concerned about its effect on the environment. On top of that, the smell was less agreeable than a hockey player locker room after the second period.

For the first time ever, I finally started to understand North American tendencies. Diesels of the past were terrible.

Since then, many automakers have refined diesel technology, most notably Volkswagen. Even though most automakers bailed on the idea of bringing diesels back, Volkswagen stuck with it, leaving them with virtually all the market share. Not a bad move. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have followed suit with each brand offering a small dosage of their diesel technology for open minded North Americans.

Volkswagen has expanded the technology into four of their models. But what if you want a little premium with that oil burner? Well, for the first time Volkswagen has made its famous TDI engine available in the Audi A3. Is it worth it?

Read the rest of this entry »

Lexus CT 200h Confirmed for North America

When you’re right, you’re right. And we definitely were right.

We reported that Lexus would be straight up stupid not to sell their hybrid hatch here in Canada and Lexus smartly decided to reverse its decision to not sell it here.

The CT 200h will now be available for sale on our shores giving some competition to the Audi A3, Volvo C30, Mercedes-Benz B-Class and to a lesser extent, the BMW 1-series.

The CT 200h will feature a 1.8 litre engine producing 134 horsepower and along with a  “powerful” electric motor along with a “drynamic driving experience”. It’s going to have to be pretty damned good dynamic if it’s going to take on the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series.

Lexus is touting the CT 200h as the first full hybrid in the premium compact segment just as it did with the HS 250h. And look how good that’s doing (not well).

Still, we predict much more success for the CT 200h as we Canadians love our small hatches. The CT 200h will do well among environmentally concious buyers with a lot of dough, but will likely get overlooked if people are looking for the performance and handling of the A3 and 1-series.

We’re waiting for you to make us eat our words, Lexus.

Lexus CT 200h Not Coming to U.S, But Will It Still See Canadian Shores?

It’s expected to make it’s debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto show in a about a month, and our Amurrican neighbours will not get a chance to have one in their driveways.

Even though Barack Obama said “Yes We Can” Toyota is saying “No You Can’t”. A Toyota Spokesperson confirmed to Edmunds.com that it will not be for sale.

This does not necessarily mean the same fate for the better country at hockey, however. In Canada we get many cars that the Amurricans don’t get such as the BMW 323i, and the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. Also, we Canadians love our small hatchbacks way more than our neighbours down south. On top of that, we’re very much into fuel efficient vehicles, so it would actually make sense for Lexus to bring out the CT 200h for Canadians only. Right now the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Audi A3 and Volvo C30 are the only premium cheap hatches to choose from, so Lexus would be smart to enter that segment as well.

There are few details released about the CT 200h, other than it will be a compact hybrid hatchback that is expected to take the cheapest Lexus title away from the IS 250. The teaser picture above would seem to suggest LED tail lights as well.