LEXUS hooked up with Aussie pop queen Kylie Minogue to promote its CT 200h which is appropriate as the car hits all the right notes.

The Quiet Revolution campaign sees the singer slipping silently through city streets in the sleek Lexus and when you climb into the premium compact hybrid there is a feeling of peace and tranquility.

It is choc full of the latest technical gizmos designed to appeal to younger environmentally aware customers.

And they won't be disappointed as a green machine this certainly is with the CT 200h having class-leading carbon dioxide emissions of 94g/km entitling its owners to benefit from zero annual road tax and the lowest Benefit-in-Kind company car tax rating.

The economic case for the CT 200h is further strengthened by impressive average fuel economy in excess of 60mpg and low service costs.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system is engineered for low maintenance requirements and the hybrid battery is designed to last the lifetime of the car.

There are three alternative drving set-ups to the standard one available - EV, ECO and Sport.

From start up and at speeds of less than 28mph the CT 200h can operate automatically and silently in EV mode. This allows the car to run solely on its electric motor for up to 1.2 miles.

In ECO mode throttle response is reduced and control of the air conditioning adjusted to achieve better fuel economy, while Sport mode is tuned to deliver more power from the electric motor with engine revs held higher.

A 98bhp 1.8 VVT-i petrol engine and an 81bhp electric motor combine to give a total system output of 134bhp.

The top of the range SE-L Premier trim I drove has a dash that's a sight for sore eyes as well as being easy to use.

There's a raft of goodies including smart entry and push-button start, 13-speaker audio system, DVD changer, sat-nav, auto-dimming and retractable door mirrors, electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar support, LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights.

This is in addition to the menu for the SE-I and SE-L which offers tasty morsels including rain-sensing wipers, rear privacy glass, leather upholstery and heated front seats.

There are a plethora of safety features both to prevent accidents - such as anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control and vehicle stability control - and protect driver and passengers should one become unavoidable, including eight airbags.

Lexus recently introduced an F-Sport version which, as the name suggests, is a racier looking version with larger rear spoiler, flared side skirts, mesh grille and revised aero bumpers.

There are also dark-finish 17-inch alloy wheels, F-Sport steering wheel, aluminium pedals and scuff plates, black leather upholstery and heated front seats. It also has a revised suspension featuring lateral front and rear damper system and sports-tuned Kayaba shock absorbers.

If there is one slight downside to the CT 200h it comes in the boot which is a little restricted for room as there is a battery pack underneath the rear seats and luggage area.