New Ct?

Stompe · December 19, 2015

http://www.worldcarfans.com/1151218102169/lexus-ct-200h-redesign-slated-for-2017

What would be on your wishlist for this new Model?

Wass · December 19, 2015

First on my wish list would be some wheels which didn't look like stylised late 19th century wooden spoked cart wheels ( which most modern cars seem to have).Surely there is something which is more aerodynamic.

Next would be mirrors which didn't stick out like someone designed a body without thinking about how to see what lies behind.( how about cameras?)

Factory fitted crash and tamper cameras would also be of great use since supermarket damage accounts for most of my bodywork expenditure.

Wrap technology has moved with the times so renewable bodywork wraps which are printable would be a neat idea. People could change their car colour(s) design or finish within a day and also ensure that the dreaded tin worm is kept at bay.

How about something built into the engine which analyses and reports the ph, state of contamination and viscosity of the lubricant?

All wheel drive isn't really required to run much above 30mph for the majority of applications so it lends itself to the hybrid application very well; energy recovery is also easier to arrange from two, three or four inputs too. ( in fact, 4wd is only ever useful for the majority of us at less than walking pace in muddy fields or snowy car parks and drive ways, 4 wheel regenerative braking would in fact be used far more frequently than the extra drive traction)

TBH ,I havent looked at modern CT200s have they started to equip them with gas strut bonnet stays yet? My 2011 has an old fashioned prop which holds the bonnet open... Cuh!!! even the humble BMW Mini has gas struts holding its bonnet open!

Air conditioning systems could do with a built in system sanitising circuit... something which simply channels the 90 degC summer coolant through the cooling matrix in order to kill those bugs which make the air conditioning stink. This combined with better cooling matrix condensation drains which don't block up would save many owners the inconvenience of entrusting their pride and joy to the dealers air conditioning "specialist" ( sent by the manufacturers on a two week course if you're lucky instead of a four year college course which real air conditioning technicians have to attend).

Did you know that the highest speed land vehicles in the world have solid tyres? A flat road tyre may be eliminated by using better design of wheels and suspension along with solid tyres running on split rims. No goo, no pump, no space saver, no worries.

Thirty years ago, I drove a Toyota crown with a straight 6 2.6 litre engine. It handled like a camel on roller skates but when I dropped my friend off at the airport, I pushed a button from the drivers seat and the boot unlocked itself and opened in order to allow my passenger to access his bags. Very few cars seem to do this any more... why not?

I have a portable cooler which will run off a cigar lighter socket. Again the humble mini has a cigar lighter socket in the boot and yet the luxury Lexus CT200 doesnt.

Finally, there is very little storage space in my 2011 lexus CT200. except that if I need to I can keep half a gallon of drinks in a total of 4 drinks holders accessible to the occupants in the front seats. Not a single drinks storage space for back seat occupants or even an arm rest. Did this get fixed for later CTs or are we still waiting?

Those are just a few of my ideas. I hope this sows a few seeds and provokes a few thoughts.

Rich2508 · December 19, 2015

Has got to have a plug in version and not a striped down version of the car like in the Prius, want all the toys. current tax status for company car users makes a plug in a no brainer. On my lease scheme I can get a Mercedes C350 plug in costing 40k for £50pm (inc BIK tax) less than my Lexus costs me, and a Mitsubushi Outlander £120pm cheaper.

Mikeyb999 · December 19, 2015

Better engine. One of the biggest gripes is the CVT box and engine drone where it holds high revs, so I would like to see a new unit with lots of low down torque. This would prevent the need for such high revs giving a more refined experience.

If you look at the VW's Tsi units they give really good low down torque and can still produce high 40's / low 50's mpg so combine that into toyotas hybrid system and I think you would have a better driver experience

Stompe · December 20, 2015

Hi guys, lots of good ideas for the new upgrade there. I have a CT200h premier 2013 so I do not really know what is on the latest models. I agree about most of the things that are said above but my opinion is now that accountants build cars now, and penny pinching comes in. As to why you get a rear armrest in an Auris Hybrid (which I traded in for the Lexus) and the lack of cup holders in the rear like Wass has said above, I wonder as we are a very small market whether Lexus listens to our needs.We can only but hope.

ColinBarber · December 22, 2015

Better engine. One of the biggest gripes is the CVT box and engine drone where it holds high revs, so I would like to see a new unit with lots of low down torque. This would prevent the need for such high revs giving a more refined experience.

If you look at the VW's Tsi units they give really good low down torque and can still produce high 40's / low 50's mpg so combine that into toyotas hybrid system and I think you would have a better driver experience

I think it is safe to assume it will use the new Prius drivetrain so essentially the same engine with a new transmission to give a more conventional feel and better refinement to remove some of the drone associated with the high reving engine.

Stompe · December 23, 2015

Not sure about Volkswagen at the moment, Think there on a hard slog to win customers trust back, are there engines any better?

Wass · December 23, 2015

The toyota hybrid engine doesn't run on the otto cycle and its low down torque comes from having a big Battery and a DC motor. The atkinson cycle engines run efficiently but are not best known for producing a lot of torque- in fact they are well known for producing less torque as they get more efficient. We have already found out that diesels easily outperform atkinson cycle engines at motorway speeds. About the only way to improve on the torque available from a green engine is to run it on high pressure steam generated from hydrogen combustion.

In less green terms, use a small reactor to generate the high pressure steam as is done in naval applications. I don't see this approach catching on as I suspect that the occurrence of meltdown on the hard shoulder would become commonplace when people forget to fill up with water since running out of fuel would cease to be the issue.

The solution lies with using a more powerful electric motor or motors.

Mikeyb999 · December 23, 2015

VW will come out of this OK in Europe. People have short memories, and the badge carries some cachet, although I think they may be too burned in North America. Its a different market and they are not so badge focused.

If you look at Toyota a few years back the used car prices dipped and then came back up to pre bad publicity levels.

Ref the engines I'm not suggesting Toyota adopt someone else's engine, but VW and Ford have developed very good low capacity units with low down torque. Fords Ecoboost engine is a tiny 1 litre capacity yet in 125 BHP form gives more power than the CT's 1.8 litre unit. Ford produces 170 Nm torque, CT 142 Nm.

The VW Tsi units offer similar performance so I think that if Toyota had a similar unit they could integrate it into a hybrid and I'm sure it would produce a highly efficient system with better performance and lower fuel burn

rayaans · December 27, 2015

VW's TSI are temperamental. The golf's are having issues with their 1.4 TSI as well Audi's and seats equipped with them. And no they can't achieve 50mpg they get like 35mpg in reality

Drop the 200t into the CT, detuned to 200 hp and more towards economy and job done.

Or leave it as it is

Or it might be worth keeping the 1.8 and sticking a turbo on it

rayaans · December 27, 2015

VW will come out of this OK in Europe. People have short memories, and the badge carries some cachet, although I think they may be too burned in North America. Its a different market and they are not so badge focused.

If you look at Toyota a few years back the used car prices dipped and then came back up to pre bad publicity levels.

Ref the engines I'm not suggesting Toyota adopt someone else's engine, but VW and Ford have developed very good low capacity units with low down torque. Fords Ecoboost engine is a tiny 1 litre capacity yet in 125 BHP form gives more power than the CT's 1.8 litre unit. Ford produces 170 Nm torque, CT 142 Nm.

The VW Tsi units offer similar performance so I think that if Toyota had a similar unit they could integrate it into a hybrid and I'm sure it would produce a highly efficient system with better performance and lower fuel burn

The engines you mention are turbocharged. Toyota doesn't have a turbocharged petrol engine. Toyota can definitely produce these engines looking at the 200t NX and IS which are very good, the smoothest 4 cylinders ever, they feel more like a small V6

Desmond · December 27, 2015

A minor gripe I suppose. The layout for the phone/ipod/usb needs sorting. The last IS that I owned had 12 volt and usb sockets inside the armrest, a simple and super solution that kept everything out of the way and out of sight with no wires wandering about. I loath this hotch-potch of little compartments that will only take mini-subs and the phone is on view all the time with the charger lead. Not exactly classy is it?

rayaans · December 28, 2015

A better ride would be in order. It rides like a rock and refinement is a weak point at anything over 50mph. I think they need to sort that out.

Btw new CT is coming in 2017 MY so next year

DanD · December 30, 2015

Got to bring the ICE and satnav up to date too.

Using voice control on Lexus is soooo painful, having to go through endless menus.

The ICE also needs to be simpler and more intuitive.

The satnav display is also so dated, especially compared to what is available on Audis with their Google Eartth type displays.

Stompe · December 31, 2015

I'm struggling to think of anything else to add Guys, some bloody good replies on here, all we have to do now is let Lexus read these comments! :D

rayaans · January 1, 2016

I'm struggling to think of anything else to add Guys, some bloody good replies on here, all we have to do now is let Lexus read these comments! :D

Even if they did, they wouldn't listen. Market is very small for Lexus in the UK. In the states they do surveys on all the models when the new one is going into development

Goggy · January 2, 2016

I owned a CT for almost five years. I loved the car except for the ride which for me was a bit firm. Some like a firm ride, not me, I like to be cosseted. Maybe a 'ride mode' option would be nice. Soft, normal, firm.

I never had Sat Nav in my CT, I have now in my NX, but it needs to be easier to use, I still find it takes too much knob pushing and turning to get what I want. And no simple way to turn the voice off and on.

A plug in would be brilliant, even if it only managed 25-30 miles before you used petrol, but that is not going to happen.

A factory fitted Dash Cam. I am sure we will start to see these in more new cars soon.

Fridge Glove box.

Slightly more legroom in the back seats.

That's it.

rayaans · January 3, 2016

I owned a CT for almost five years. I loved the car except for the ride which for me was a bit firm. Some like a firm ride, not me, I like to be cosseted. Maybe a 'ride mode' option would be nice. Soft, normal, firm.

I never had Sat Nav in my CT, I have now in my NX, but it needs to be easier to use, I still find it takes too much knob pushing and turning to get what I want. And no simple way to turn the voice off and on.

A plug in would be brilliant, even if it only managed 25-30 miles before you used petrol, but that is not going to happen.

A factory fitted Dash Cam. I am sure we will start to see these in more new cars soon.

Fridge Glove box.

Slightly more legroom in the back seats.

That's it.

I think AVS would definitely be a good option for the CT. I think the suspension is unnecessarily firm. For example, the IS F sport has better handling and ride compared to a CT advance 2014 model!

I'm aware that the longer wheelbase will have a positive effect on the ride but still!

It might be worth taking a page out of BMW and mercedes book where they offer sport models with comfort suspension

Mikeyb999 · January 3, 2016

VW's TSI are temperamental. The golf's are having issues with their 1.4 TSI as well Audi's and seats equipped with them. And no they can't achieve 50mpg they get like 35mpg in reality

Yes they can achieve 50mpg - I've driven 1000's of miles in TSi VW's and Ecoboost Fords - driven sensibly high 40's / low 50's isn't difficult to achieve. To average 35 you would have to drive them pretty hard, in fact I don't think I've ever got the average that low

rayaans · January 3, 2016

VW's TSI are temperamental. The golf's are having issues with their 1.4 TSI as well Audi's and seats equipped with them. And no they can't achieve 50mpg they get like 35mpg in reality

Yes they can achieve 50mpg - I've driven 1000's of miles in TSi VW's and Ecoboost Fords - driven sensibly high 40's / low 50's isn't difficult to achieve. To average 35 you would have to drive them pretty hard, in fact I don't think I've ever got the average that low

In town no chance. Maybe on the motorway. Heck the eco boost mustang barely got 4 mpg higher than the GT when I drove it