By Mike Torpey on 2014-01-24 - Driving Force news editor and responsible for organising our daily output. He was staff motoring editor of the Liverpool Echo for 20 years.
Fresh style and
price cuts from
Lexus
STYLING, handling and equipment changes head the most comprehensive package of improvements yet to Lexus's hybrid CT 200h range.
And in an initiative to boost the luxury hatchback's appeal the brand is also heralding price cuts and new finance options.
It means the 2014 line-up costs from £20,995 for the entry level S model - a £1,000 reduction - while elsewhere in the six-strong range prices are down by up to £1,500.
Fresh styling sees a wider and lower grille to give the car a more ground-hugging look, something that's more pronounced in the F Sport model which adopts the same mesh pattern as the new IS F Sport saloon.
It also gains a new rear spoiler with integrated air ducts while new detailing, wheel designs and a shark's fin antenna have also been introduced across the CT range.
In the cabin there's now a slimline seven-inch monitor on the centre console, a steering wheel adopted from the latest IS and a new shift lever design.
Going beyond the visual changes, the 200h has been tweaked for a better ride, stability and handling as well as benefiting from the new laser welding techniques used in the Lexus IS and LS models.
The current range of six model grades - S, SE, Advance, Luxury, F Sport and Premier - is retained, with the addition of some new equipment features and options.
At the centre of the range the Advance model gets an upgrade that introduces parking sensors, heated front seats and the new Lexus Navigation system as standard, but at no extra cost.
Elsewhere, a GPS-controlled clock is provided on higher grade models while extra features for the Premier grade include new aluminium scuff plates and LED front fog lamps.
With CO2 emissions across the range falling below the 100g/km threshold - and with a new low of 82g/km for the S version - the CT 200h is free from road tax.
And for business users this also secures the lowest band for benefit-in-kind taxation, at 10 per cent for the first year.
Official combined fuel consumption figures are 78.5mpg for the S grade and 68.9mpg for the rest of the range.
The order book is now open, with first deliveries due in March, and finance offers see the CT 200h S available from £219 per month and higher spec Advance model from £259.
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