2010 Lexus CT 200h officially revealed

Two days ago images and details have surfaced on the Internet with the 2010 Lexus CT 200h as a result of a leaked presentation brochure, and now the official press pack with hi-res images and information has been revealed. 
The 2010 Lexus CT 200h features a hybrid drive system that includes a 4-cylinder 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine backed by a compact electric motor plus a high voltage battery pack. Power is sent to the front wheels via a electrically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) and as far as efficiency figures the automaker says their 2010 Lexus CT 200h will deliver class leading CO2 emissions.
In full electric mode the 2010 Lexus CT 200h is able to run for 1.2 miles at a maximum speed of 28 mph and the driver will be able to choose between the ECO, NORMAL and SPORT driving modes.
The 2010 Lexus CT 200h price was not announced but the premium compact car will enter production in late 2010.
Lexus press release :

The new Lexus CT 200h is the first full hybrid vehicle to be
launched in the premium compact segment. Entering production in late
2010 and set for sale worldwide, the full hybrid model will provide a
new gateway to the Lexus range and attract new, younger customers to
the brand.
The CT 200h was designed and developed with the European market in
mind. Lexus’s first five-door compact car, its size, packaging, full
hybrid technology and low emissions fully address the requirements of
discerning, environment-conscious customers in a key market sector. At
the same time, it does not compromise the quality, refinement and
driving pleasure that are the hallmarks of every Lexus.
Exterior and interior design
The production-ready CT 200h retains strong visual links to the
LF-Ch concept Lexus unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. Its
styling marks a powerful evolution of Lexus’s L-finesse design
philosophy with a distinctive, sharp-edged look that sets it apart from
its premium compact rivals.
The exterior is styled for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and
minimum wind noise. The strong front grille, directly referencing the
LF-Ch concept sits over a full-width bumper and air dam. The headlamp
units, positioned higher than the grille (a signature feature of
L-finesse design), incorporate LED daytime running lights.
In profile, the steeply raked windscreen, long, flowing roofline and
Lexus slingshot window graphic combine to create an elegant and
distinctive silhouette. The front and rear corners have been pulled in
tight and the wings are styled to improve airflow down the sides of the
vehicle.
At the rear, the trailing edge of the roof overhangs a wide,
wraparound rear window to create a seamless, integrated spoiler. A
pronounced step in the tailgate section flows from the shoulders of the
rear wheelarches and is anchored by a tail lamp design that displays
the L-shaped motif that Lexus first introduced on the current LS model.
The interior combines superior ergonomics with extensive use of metallic finishes and dark, soft-touch surfaces.
Lexus has retained the asymmetrical dashboard design seen in the
LF-Ch show car. Based on the Future Lexus Interior concept, the
dashboard is split into an upper Display Zone, with an eight-inch LCD
multi-display screen; and a lower Operation Zone, with the shift lever
and other controls such as Lexus’s Remote Touch multi-function
controller.
In keeping with the car’s performance, the driving position is set
low, with a highly supportive driver’s seat. The instrument binnacle
houses large, twin dials; in SPORT mode, the hybrid indicator in the
binnacle functions as a tachometer and the ambient lighting turns from
blue to red. The two-mode switch ring and a spotlight in the centre
cluster also light up in red, changing the whole atmosphere of the
cabin.
In spite of its compact, efficient design, the CT 200h offers a
roomy interior. The 2,600mm wheelbase allows for front and rear
passenger accommodation that is among the most spacious in the segment.
Luggage capacity is 345 litres, increasing to 700 litres with the rear
seats lowered.
Lexus Hybrid Drive
The Lexus Hybrid Drive system in the CT 200h combines a 1.8-litre
VVT-i petrol engine with a powerful electric motor. Drivers have the
choice of four selectable drive modes: ECO and NORMAL place the
emphasis on efficiency and comfort, while SPORT focuses on dynamic
performance.
Unlike mild hybrid systems used by other manufacturers, the CT 200h
also has an EV (electric vehicle) mode that allows for ultra-quiet
running on the electric motor alone, resulting in zero fuel consumption
and CO₂, NOx and particulate emissions. The car is capable of running in EV mode for up to 1.2 miles at speeds up to 28mph.
Chassis and suspension
The CT 200h is built on a new platform with a dedicated double
wishbone and trailing arm rear suspension system. It has been developed
specifically to combine the ride comfort expected of a Lexus with
superior driving involvement and handling agility.
Several elements in the MacPherson strut design have been
exclusively developed for the mode, including the coil springs and
shock absorbers, and a new front anti-roll bar has been designed to
deliver improved roll rigidity.
The double wishbone rear suspension is exclusive to the CT 200h and
incorporates a lightweight trailing arm. The springs and shocks are
positioned separately to minimise intrusion into the loadspace floor.
Lexus CT 200h outline technical specifications