IS

Make
Lexus
Segment
Sedan

When the refreshed 2014 Lexus CT200h was spied at an official photo shoot recently, there was talk of the carmaker expanding the lineup of its popular hatch with a sedan and non-hybrid variant. Now news has come in from Down Under that a high-performance model is also on the agenda. Speaking with Motoring, one of Lexus' senior global executives hinted that a CT with more power is in the pipeline. The thinking behind the move is that as the hatch has a decent reputation for its handling and suspension set up, with another powertrain option the carmaker can shift a lot more units.

"We missed a segment of the market for people who want fast cars; because a lot of people liked the looks and liked the way it drove so they wanted something faster," said Lexus International Executive Vice President Mark Templin. Nonetheless, launching the CT exclusively with the hybrid drivetrain enabled Lexus to cement its position as the first carmaker to offer a luxury hybrid model. Going forward there's room to add either a larger gasoline-electric hybrid or the new 2.0-liter turbo that will debut in the LF-NX concept in Tokyo this month.