2011 Lexus CT 200h Hybrid Hatch: U.S. Buyers Need Not Apply

By John Voelcker

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2011 Lexus CT 200h teaser

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Much has been written about U.S. car buyers' aversion to hatchbacks, with many citing the relative sales of the Volkswagen Jetta four-door sedan over its five-door Golf counterpart.

It appears Lexus has taken that attitude to heart. At next month's Geneva Motor Show, it will launch a new, dedicated hybrid hatchback, the 2011 CT 200h, onto the European market.

2009 Lexus LF-Ch concept at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show

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2009 Lexus LF-Ch Compact Hybrid Concept

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2009 Lexus LF-Ch Compact Hybrid Concept

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Compact hatch, but not for Yanks

The compact hatchback will compete with the Audi A3 and the BMW 1-Series (which in Europe is sold mostly as three- and five-door models, rather than the sedans available to U.S. buyers).

The CT's hybrid drivetrain will offer the usual ability to run up to a mile or so on pure electric power, at low speeds and under light acceleration. The company cites the "new levels of refinement, sophistication, and attention to detail" of the new model.

But it seems U.S. buyers will get no chance to buy the compact five-door fuel sipper, which is a production version of the LF-Ch concept that Lexus unveiled last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Lexus has "no plans" to bring the CT model to the States, said a spokesman.

Instead, HS four-door sedan

Instead, last summer Lexus launched the 2010 HS 250h four-door dedicated hybrid sedan in the U.S. That model has sold moderately well despite receiving mixed reviews.

Our drive report was among several that concluded the HS offered an uneasy blend of hybrid and luxury features, though we found ourselves warming up to the car by the end of our test.

(The 2010 HS 250h was also included in the braking-software update recall that Toyota announced last week for its 2010 Prius model.)

Hybrids only in the U.K.

Lexus has struggled in Europe to establish itself as a viable luxury competitor to the powerhouse Teutonic trio of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

To set itself apart in the U.K., Lexus plans to offer only hybrid models of the LS full-size luxury sedan, the GS midsize sports sedan, and the RX crossover. Only in the IS small sedan, which offers no hybrid model, will it continue to provide gasoline and diesel engines.

[Inside Line,  What Car]