The CT200h was launched in early 2011 and three years later Lexus decided it was due some improvements and modifications. It is under the skin where the majority of these have been made, such as the adoption of laser screw welding and higher strength adhesive bonds which result in a stiffer body and reduced NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness).

Lexus had just one car in the country for the first drive, which was a left-hand drive. It was not UK registered and was therefore on trade plates. It was here for just a few days before it had to go back to the Lexus European headquarters in Brussels.

The front of the CT gets a new grille, which Lexus have named the “Spindle Grille”, which very accurately describes the shape of the grille.  It transforms the look of the car making it look sportier, which brings it in line with other Lexus models. It does now stand out in a crowd and is more easily recognisable as a Lexus. It has new alloy wheel designs and a “Shark-Fin” antenna on the roof. The rear end also gets some minor tweaks, but it is that Grille that is the biggest change to the exterior.

The interior gets some changes, such as a redesigned steering wheel. Although it is still round, some of the small detail has been altered. The cluster that houses the speedometer and rev counter has been improved and the dashboard switchgear has also had minor modifications. The Multi Media display screen is now slimline and is in a fixed position, instead of folding. 

After driving the facelift CT the biggest change made, and the one thing that really did need improving, is to the CVT automatic gearbox. Lexus engineers have remapped the engine speed and motor response to throttle inputs to offer the same acceleration but with lower revs. This is claimed to reduce engine noise by up to 50%. In the old CT you put your foot down on the accelerator and there was such a whining and it felt like the “elastic-band” was slipping. But this has virtually disappeared on the new CT, press the accelerator and away it goes, quietly and quickly. It is so improved and so much more pleasant to drive   

Over 94 individual changes contribute to the improved NVH. The more identifiable changes are specific to the engine and transmission. But it is not just the huge improvement to the gearbox that makes the cabin quieter, other improvements have also been made to other parts of the car.  The position and weight of the rear engine mount damper have been optimized to reduce engine noise and vibration. The dashboard silencer has been modified too; the changes include making it thicker, reducing the number of holes and adding a sealer coating. All these changes have reduced the amount of engine and road noise that penetrates the cabin, adding to the improvements in the diving experience versus the old CT. 

With all these changes and improvements, you will be thinking that the price has gone up accordingly. I did. But in fact there has been a price reduction of between £1,000 and £1,500. Lexus have to remain competitive with the market, and the market has changed in the past couple of years by offering more 1.6 litre diesel engine cars, and less 2.0 litre versions. The CT200h petrol was always priced to compete with 2.0 diesel cars, but as the world changes, so must Lexus, and they now have to be more competitive with the ever increasing demand for the smaller engine diesel car, hence the price goes down.

Driving the CT is a now a much nicer experience and the hybrid system works effortlessly. If used correctly and sensibly it does give respectable fuel consumption. It will travel approximately 1.5 miles on electric before the petrol engine kicks in and takes over, which clearly helps to improve the fuel consumption figure.

Prices for the facelift CT200h start from £20,995 and go up to £29,495 OTR.  

Martin Ward, Manufacturer Relationship Manager