Photo: Response JP
The Lexus CT is not a resounding success in America, but that's partly due to its compact hatchback proportions. Over in Europe and Japan, the baby Lexus hybrid is quite popular, and a successor is planned, though it could be one that appeals to America's crossover tastes.
A Japanese website called Response has recently published a short story claiming that the next-generation Lexus CT will be longer, taller, and more spacious.
Now, that doesn't imply it's getting the crossover treatment, but the styling will closely mirror that of the NX and RX. Should we start calling it the CX?
All this crossover nonsense takes some getting used to. And you do get used to it eventually. A year ago, we would have started a riot over the fact that Lexus is turning everything into a crossover. But if slightly more suspension travel and some chunky looks are all it takes to promote a car, we're not going to argue.
At worst, the CT will end up being a dead ringer for the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, which is nothing more than a slightly raised A-Class. We have no problem with that, particularly when Infiniti did the same thing with the Q30/QX30. It's what China and America wants, so Lexus would be foolish not to take advantage of the situation.
The current generation CT was launched in January 2011 and shares its New MC platform with the old Prius, Corolla and Auris models. Despite a recent refresh, US sales have slipped slightly in 2015 to 14,657 units, down about two thousand when compared to the previous year.
According to Response, the replacement will be ready in 2018, which means that the sketch is either fake or previews a concept. Either way, it's going to take at least two more years for the technology of the Prius 4 to trickle down to a Lexushatchback crossover.
Although a hybrid powertrain is very likely, we could also see a couple of other systems. If Lexus decides to drop the 2-liter turbo it has recently developed into the CT, it could give Audi and Mercedes a run for their money, not to mention giving the BMW X1 some headaches.
Now, that doesn't imply it's getting the crossover treatment, but the styling will closely mirror that of the NX and RX. Should we start calling it the CX?
All this crossover nonsense takes some getting used to. And you do get used to it eventually. A year ago, we would have started a riot over the fact that Lexus is turning everything into a crossover. But if slightly more suspension travel and some chunky looks are all it takes to promote a car, we're not going to argue.
At worst, the CT will end up being a dead ringer for the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, which is nothing more than a slightly raised A-Class. We have no problem with that, particularly when Infiniti did the same thing with the Q30/QX30. It's what China and America wants, so Lexus would be foolish not to take advantage of the situation.
The current generation CT was launched in January 2011 and shares its New MC platform with the old Prius, Corolla and Auris models. Despite a recent refresh, US sales have slipped slightly in 2015 to 14,657 units, down about two thousand when compared to the previous year.
According to Response, the replacement will be ready in 2018, which means that the sketch is either fake or previews a concept. Either way, it's going to take at least two more years for the technology of the Prius 4 to trickle down to a Lexus
Although a hybrid powertrain is very likely, we could also see a couple of other systems. If Lexus decides to drop the 2-liter turbo it has recently developed into the CT, it could give Audi and Mercedes a run for their money, not to mention giving the BMW X1 some headaches.
Google News