Motor Trend likes the CT200h, Maybe we have a Winner!

Motor Trend has driven the Lexus CT 200h, and was plenty enthused by the experience:

…this car can handle. Quite well, in fact, in spite of its fuel-economy-friendly tires. The chassis is difficult to upset and when it does lose composure, it defaults to gradual understeer, at which point the nannies step back in…The steering is heavier in Sport Mode, which is good because it’s normally very light, but there isn’t a whole lot of feedback.

The most remarkable thing about the CT 200h is how easy it is to forget that you’re driving a hybrid. Regardless of driving mode, transitions to and from electric power and gasoline power are so seamless that you simply forget they’re happening. Power is plenty adequate in most situations, but can leave you wanting when passing or climbing hills. The brakes, meanwhile, are much more linear and dare we say “normal” than Prius brakes, without that two-stage feel when the regen kicks in.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/1010_2011_lexus_ct_200h_drive/index.html

Motor Trend Drives the New CT200h and like it!

Here are some comments from the test drive they took around LA:

The best way to think of the CT 200h is as a better-looking Prius Sport, if such a model existed. It shares the Prius’ hybrid drivetrain, with its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor, but it now has a “Sport” mode that ups the power to the electric motor for an extra boost of speed when you drop the pedal. It won’t give the IS F a run for its money, but it feels noticeably quicker than driving in “Normal” mode, which essentially mimics a Prius.

What we could test was the CT 200h’s ride quality, which was quite good. On the rough pavement that is L.A. city streets, the car rode well and soaked up even large bumps nicely. It’s a tad firmer than you’d expect from a Lexus, given its sporty disposition, but nothing that would scare the average Lexus shopper out of the car.
Around town, the CT 200h feels quick enough for L.A. traffic. Although we didn’t want to risk small-arms fire from other motorists, we found we could get pretty close to the claimed 28 mph limit on battery power alone before the engine kicked on. When it is on, the engine emits a low growl that at least sounds sportier than a Prius.




http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1009_2011_lexus_ct_200h_prototype_quick_drive/index.html

Ride Along in the new CT200h

Autoblog was also in attendance at last week’s small media preview of the Lexus CT 200h, and had this to say about their time in the passenger seat:

Riding along suburban roads near the TME facility, the CT 200h – even in prototype guise – is suitably Lexus-like in its build quality and refinement, yet surprisingly aggressive in its handling. The ride feels well balanced in its damping between comfort and sportiness, and given the instant torque delivery inherent in the electric boost, it never seemed to lack for punch… from the passenger seat, at least.

There’s a limit to what can be experienced from the passenger seat, though it’s all sounding quite positive regardless.

But more than that, Autoblog has a bunch of photos of the Brown Spice Mica CT, including our first clear look at the Lexus Hybrid Drive 1.8L engine:

Check out this great gallery of pictures here:

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-ride-2011-lexus-ct-200h

MotorTrend hits over 200MPH on Road Test with LFA

MotorTrend.com 200 MPH in a Lexus LFA

Besides that did I say drag racing a GT-R




Following the popularity of the Lexus LFA vs. Nissan GT-R story and video, MotorTrend.com posted the video footage of the Lexus LFA on the dyno.

Quotes from the story:

Two Mondays ago we dropped our Lexus LFA vs Nissan GT-R story and video, the first Lexus LFA comparison of any kind in the world, and you guys apparently loved it. Your furious clicking, hot-linking, tweeting, Facebooking and YouTubing made the write up one of the most popular stories at motortrend.com this month, while the drag race video is the fastest accelerator in Motor Trend's YouTube channel history -- pun intended.

What else do we think? Well, here are some of my notes from the passenger seat (the ones that I could read), just after that 200-mph pull:

o ... 207mph on the dash right as Dave lifted, but the Superflow backed that down to 200.3. Impressive.
o Interesting too that the Lexus speedo is so accurate -- like a German car, but sounds Italian, only smoother. So smooth near the finish.

o Felt like it could have kept pulling. Shockingly impressive engine.

o Engine note just before Dave lifted was beyond sportbike (V-10 Hayabusa?). People are going to crap when they hear this. Can't put my finger what it sounds like over 200 mph. Oh wait -- Lexus LFA."




http://www.motortrend.com/features/performance/1005_200_mph_in_a_lexus_lfa/index.html

Road and Track LFA Road Test....

Lexus is also using the LFA as a safety excercise in that it is the worlds first applications of seat belt mounted air bags(?)....What will Lexus think of next?

Check it out, very cool

The Coolest Non-Recall GX460 Photo

Now this is why they build this car!!!!!! I hope they never stop letting cars be fun!!

Check out the rest of the article and how well the car performed against Land Rover LR4 and the Mercedes GL450

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1007_2010_land_rover_lr4_2010_lexus_gx_460_2010_mercedes_benz_gl450/index.html