This delightful, beautifully balanced motoring experience measures 4,320 mm by 1,765 mm with a total height of 1,440 mm. Obviously, there is nothing striking about these dimensions, except that they hide what is probably one of the world’s most advanced engineering feats.
Nothing striking, except that it is one of the world’s most advanced engineering feats- Hugh Arnett
Drive a car and it becomes a subjective experience, and it’s hard to be totally objective when enjoying a first for this motoring ‘hack’, but it’s important to be objective, slightly above the order of the day.
The car is manufactured in the award-winning ECO factory in Kyushu, Japan. It is so interesting that the handling bit of the test will be spliced in after the immediate machinery and safety features have been somewhat explored.
Under the bonnet lies the 1.8 litre petrol engine featuring a Stop/Start capability and variable valve timing – intelligent technologies. Its smooth, even ultra smooth ‘Atkinson Cycle’ petrol engine offers exceptional fuel economy and low emissions. Then comes the high output electric motor. The 60Kw electric motor boosts acceleration and is the sole source of power when the car is being driven in EV [electric motor] mode. This state-of-the-art unit generates up to 270Nm of torque by itself.
The technology that has gone into the Power Control Unit, the brain behind Lexus Hybrid Drive, which controls the allocation of the power resources, is beyond the comprehension of mere motoring journalists.
The exhaust heat recovery system helps warm up the 1.8 litre engine more quickly and allows it to switch off earlier and more often in cooler weather.
The Lexus Hybrid Drive’s electric motor and power split mechanism are all housed in the hybrid transmission. Here the two forces of full hybrid-electrical and mechanical power are combined using infinitely variable gear ratios to produce seamless performance.
Regenerative braking, which works when braking and cruising, makes the electric motor act as a generator recovering kinetic energy as electrical energy. This charges the hybrid battery for use when accelerating hard or driving in EV (electric vehicle) mode.
It doesn’t even come with a normal battery. The Advanced Compact Battery uses a high output nickel-metal hydride 202-volt unit controlled by very sophisticated energy-management software. The battery is constantly recharged by the vehicle’s operation and therefore requires no external charging.
This is all pretty dynamic, rather like the Dynamics/Active safety helped by the double wishbone, trailing arm rear suspension, the lateral damping system which minimises unwanted body vibrations increasing ride comfort and steering responses.
Adaptive cruise control keeps the car at a safe distance from the car ahead but if the risk of collision is unavoidable the Pre-Crash safety applies the brakes and tightens the front seat belts. This is after the driver has been alerted and the brake pressure tightened. Traction Control maintains the cars ability to be driven with confidence in lousy slippery or uneven road conditions, which would enhance the chance of cars without Traction Control falling sideways off the road. Next in line is Vehicle Stability Control. This super bit of technology helps you keep on the tarmac when cornering quickly, or on the onset of a skid.
On the passive side the CT has a very strong passenger cell and side impact protection with strengthened ‘A’ and ‘B’ pillars floor reinforcements and side impact beams.
Pads in the front foot wells help cushion ankles and the doors are fitted with energy absorbing materials. One also finds whiplash injury lessening seats and no fewer than eight airbags and, of course, ISOFIX seat mountings for youngsters.
This is probably why the CT was awarded the coveted EURO NCAP five-star rating.
I was also pleased to find 60:40 folding rear seats, allowing the luggage space to go from 375 to 985 litres, and a useful gizmo set into the interior rear view mirror that is a screen to warn of happenings behind when wishing to go rearwards.
Needless to say, the car is splendidly comfortable throughout and finished to the highest credentials.
Wishing to try the electric mode I selected a road where lack of noise would be appreciated and found the CT to be really silent. Next came the ECO mode where emissions and acceleration are low, but all-in-all the big car rumbles happily along.
‘Normal’ is a bit more exciting from the ‘pilot’s’ point of view, and Sport allows the car to be driven to her full potential.
Normal or even ECO are ideal for Maltese motoring. Electric solves various noise problems and Sport is best suited for long journeys abroad.
Verdict
Comfort
Absolutely ‘with it’ great in all seats.
Performance
The hybrid motor is great. The concept is great but the car handles so well, far beyond its performance parameters.
Cool
Not for ‘cool’ as such but for interest and the concept that an innovative, well-built vehicle works well beyond the boundaries of a diesel or lone petrol engine.
Quality
Faultless.
At a glance
Top speed
180 km/h.
0-100km/h
10.3 seconds.
Economy
Combined cycle, 4.1 litres/100km.
Emissions
Combined 94 g/km. Euro V.
Engine
The 1,798cc VVT-i petrol with Atkinson cycle pushes out 99 bhp at 5,200 rpm and develops 142 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The electric motor has a maximum output of 60 Kw with a torque maximum of 207 Nm giving a system maximum output of 136 bhp.
Driven wheels
Front. Transmission E-CVT [Electronically-Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission].
Price
Starting from €34,695.