Lexus has revealed the pricing and full specification details of its new sub-100g/km CO2 hybrid-set to be its only car that will qualify for London congestion charge exemption when the new Greener Vehicle Discount rules come into force in January.
The first deliveries of the new hybrid, based on Toyota’s Prius model, are set to start in early 2011, although the order books are open now for customers hungry to get hold of one of the first models. Priced from £23,485, the range includes a choice of three equipment grades, SE-1, SE-L and SE-L Premier.
Using hybrid drivetrain technology the new CT-200h is super fuel efficient, with emissions of just 94g/km of CO2 emissions and 68.9mpg on a combined cycle. This means that the car qualifies for road tax band A (£0 annual charge) and fits into the 10 per cent Benefit-in-Kind company car tax rating.
Lexus was one of the big losers as Boris Johnson recently confirmed that the automatic exemption from the congestion charge would be scrapped for hybrids. The old Alternative Fuel Discount will be replaced by the new Greener Vehicle Discount system from the New Year, just as the new hybrid model is released. The new discount system is more technology neutral than the old way, granting exemptions to vehicles which emit under 100g/km of CO2 and are Euro 5 compliant rather than allowing hybrids to automatically qualify. This means Lexus’ range of higher emitting hybrids, including the RX450h (which has emissions as high as 219g/km of CO2) will no longer be able to travel through the capital without incurring the charge. However, the new CT200h will be congestion charge exempt and will be the standard bearer of the Toyota-owned luxury brand, being its lowest emitting model ever.
High equipment specifications are available across all three model grades, as the car targets the business car sector. The base grade SE-1 alone includes 16in or 17in alloy wheels, six-speaker audio system, USB port, Bluetooth, active brake lights, dual-zone climate control, push button start, LED daytime running lights, rear privacy glass and rain-sensing wipers.
The range topping SE-L Premier priced at £30,635 adds cruise control, electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror, smart entry system, electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar support, 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, HDD satellite navigation, rear parking monitor (in rear view mirror) and Remote Touch control.
