Lexus Ireland

• New F-Sport grade for CT 200h, Lexus's full hybrid luxury compact


• Sports theme reflected in new body styling elements - larger rear spoiler, flared side skirts, mesh grille and revised aero bumpers


• Dark-finish 17-inch alloy wheels and electrically retractable electrochromatic door mirrors


• F-Sport steering wheel, aluminium pedals and scuff plates, cruise control, F-Sport black leather upholstery and heated front seats all fitted as standard.


• Revised suspension featuring lateral front and rear damper system and sports-tuned Kayaba shock absorbers



Lexus has added some extra visual muscle, introduced more top-flight equipment features and sharpened up the handling of its CT 200h full hybrid premium compact model to create the CT 200h F-Sport.

While the new model's looks are bolder and more attention grabbing, there is no penalty to pay in the combined low emissions, fuel efficiency and low cost of ownership performance that make CT 200h an unmatched proposition in one of the car market's most competitive segments.

On the outside the CT 200h F-Sport makes its presence known with 17-inch dark-finish alloys, a larger rear spoiler, flared side skirts, a mesh front grille and new aero-styled bumpers front and rear. In the cabin the distinguishing features include an F-Sport steering wheel with a flat bottom section and aluminium pedals and scuff plates.

Adding to the specification of the SE-L grade, the F-Sport gains cruise control, F-Sport black leather upholstery, heated front seats, electric driver's seat adjustment, auto-dimming (electrochromatic) electrically retractable door mirrors and a rear parking camera that links to a display in the rear-view mirror. And if that isn't enough, owners can ramp up the specification with the option of an advanced HDD navigation system combined with Lexus's Remote Touch control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, back guide monitor and 10-speaker audio package. Front and rear parking sensors and a sunroof are also available.

Lexus has tuned the CT 200h F-Sport's suspension for a more engaging drive, and fitted its lateral damping system as standard. Coil spring rates have been changed and the standard Showa shock absorbers replaced with Kayaba dampers that give more sports-oriented performance.

The lateral dampers, unique in the CT 200h's class, help minimise body vibrations, leading to a more linear steering feel and rewarding driving experience, as well as greater comfort for everyone on board.

Headline performance from the new F-Sport matches its CT 200h sister models with a zero-road-tax 94g/km CO2 emissions and 68.9mpg official combined cycle fuel consumption. And, as the only full hybrid in its class, it can run for up to a mile in slow moving traffic on its electric power alone, reducing fuel use and tailpipe emissions to zero.

- European debut for new full hybrid GS 450h
- European debut for new CT 200h F-Sport

The new Lexus GS 450h full hybrid performance saloon will make its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show on September 13. Equipped with second-generation Lexus Hybrid Drive, the new GS is set to deliver improvements in both environmental and driving performance.

The GS 450h will be sharing the limelight with the new CT 200h F-Sport. The first development of Lexus's full hybrid luxury hatchback since its launch earlier this year, the F-Sport features bolder styling elements and handling adjustments, increasing its appeal to customers seeking a more dynamic and engaging drive.

These newcomers will be joined on the Lexus stand in Hall 8 by models from the current IS 250, IS 250C, CT, RX and LS ranges.

Awards come and awards go, but the latest addition to Lexus's packed trophy cabinet represents a more enduring success for the luxury brand: it has been named Auto Express Manufacturer of the Decade. The award recognises the fact that Lexus has achieved the highest average satisfaction rating of any car maker over the past 10 years - 88.3 per cent - based on more than 300,000 responses from motorists to Auto Express's annual Driver Power survey.

During the past 10 years, Lexus has won the magazine's Manufacturer of the Year award seven times, and its centre network has been named the nation's best every single year. This unprecedented achievement reflects the high approval of Lexus customers for the quality of their vehicles - both new and used - and the service they receive.

This period has seen Lexus take a lead in the premium market with hybrid power and it is a mark of its success in bringing the technology to the mainstream that the second-generation RX crossover - the vehicle with which it launched its hybrid programme - takes third place among Auto Express's Cars of the Decade.

Graham Hope, Auto Express Deputy Editor, said: "'This award, based on the responses of more than 300,000 Auto Express readers over 10 years, shows how much Lexus owners love their cars.

"Their supreme comfort and great build quality are regularly praised, and this is backed up by aftersales service which is unmatched in the industry. Lexus is a thoroughly deserving winner of our Manufacturer of the Decade award, and will no doubt continue its success in the years ahead."

Jon Williams, Toyota GB Managing Director, said: "It is a great honour to receive this award, particularly as Lexus was only introduced into the UK market in 1990.Positioning the Lexus brand as number one for customer service was our aim and maintaining this for a decade proves the commitment of each and every individual in the Lexus network."

Irish captain, its most capped player and Lexus Ambassador, Brian O'Driscoll managed some free time to accept delivery of a new Lexus RX Hybrid prior to the Irish Team's start of their 6 Nations campaign with an opening match against Italy in Rome this weekend.

The RX Hybrid is the flagship model of the Lexus range of luxury hybrids, delivering impressive fuel economy without compromising on quality, refinement and driving pleasure.

Kevin O'Reilly of Lexus Ireland said "Brian has been a long standing brand ambassador for Lexus Ireland. The Irish rugby captain has driven a number of Lexus models in the past and now drives a Lexus RX Hybrid and we are delighted to renew our support. We would like to wish Brian, the players and the management the very best of luck in the 6 Nations this year."

Bridgestone has announced that it has begun supplying its ultra high performance Potenza S001 tyre to the new Lexus LFA, the flagship in the F series Lexus line-up. Bridgestone boots will shoe the LFA with 265/35ZR20 (95Y) size at the front and 305/30ZR20 (99Y) for the rear.

Colm Conyngham, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Bridgestone Ireland says: "producing a tyre for this Lexus supercar is a demonstration of Bridgestone's ability to work at the highest level of automobile engineering."

The LFA Lexus will have a limited production run of just 500 vehicles and features a new V10 engine and a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) body. A circuit-tuned variant is scheduled for 2012.

The Potenza S001 tyre to be fitted by Bridgestone to the Lexus LFA uses an advanced asymmetric tread pattern which optimises performance in both wet and dry conditions. The S001 also features super slant grooves for rapid evacuation of water and high traction stability on wet surfaces and high-grip shoulder blocks for optimum road holding, high braking force and maximum cornering grip.