2014 Lexus CT 200h: Guangzhou Motor Show

The new 2014 Lexus CT 200h (pictured) has debuted in China

It’s three years since Lexus delivered their compact hybrid CT 200h and, as we revealed last week, a new CT 200h for 2014 is on the way. Lexus has now revealed the 2014 CT 200h at the Guangzhou motor show in China, and it gets the new Lexus face of a statement spindle grill, but it also gets changes that should help make the CT 200h more appealing.

Top of those changes is improvements in the way the CT 200h rides; our biggest criticism of the CT 200h was that it had the harsh ride of a sporty car but without the power to exploit the setup.

Lexus is addressing that by making the body more rigid – thanks to extra spot welds and structural adhesive technology – which has allowed Lexus to recalibrate the suspension with new coil spring rates, new shock absorber valve and new rear anti-roll bar for a less harsh ride.

Lexus has also played with the irritating CVT ‘box in the CT so the engine revs more closely match the increase in speed, which should mean no more mad revving whilst you feel you’re going nowhere fast.

Sadly, you still won’t be going anywhere fast as Lexus hasn’t increased the power of the CT 200h from the paltry 134bhp (but a little bird tells us more power is on the way). But at least that surfeit of get up and go gives official emissions of just 82g/km in the 2014 model.

Elsewhere, Lexus has had a play with the look of the Ct 200h with the new spindle grill, new bumper at the back and some new 10-spoke 16 and 17″ alloys.

And the interior has come in for a bit of attention too with more comfort and equipment and the feel of a more luxurious, upmarket cabin.

The Optitron instrument binnacle can be had with a 4.2″ TFT screen and the Remote Touch controller has been made more intuitive as has the Lexus Media Display and Lexus Premium Navigation.

There’s a revised range of colours and materials for the cabin and Lexus has made the sound system better including using  bamboo fibre, plant opal and charcoal to make the industry’s thinnest speaker diaphram.

It’s a sound makeover for the CT 200h to make it a more appealing Lexus – and there’s a more butch version of the CT 200h F Sport too – it’s just a shame the CT 200h doesn’t get the sort of extra power it needs.

By Cars UK