The restyled Lexus CT 200h has been on sale in the U.S. since late January, but in Europe, the model will arrive this spring, which explains why the Japanese carmaker will display it at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Europe-spec version of the hybrid hatch looks identical to the U.S. model, sporting the same wide spindle grille, updated front bumper, revised headlights with projector LED lamps, new 10-spoke 16- and 17-inch wheels, restyled rear bumper and taillights, as well as a shark fin-style roof antenna. It also gets the optional F Sport package that sharpens up the CT 200h’s look.

On the inside, the facelifted Lexus CT 200h gets a new steering wheel from the IS sedan, a thinner, fixed design for the central TFT multimedia display screen and an optional 4.2-inch TFT gauge cluster, among other things. The Lexus Media Display and Lexus Premium Navigation systems feature added functions, improved operability, and enhanced hands-free and voice recognition control.

Additional equipment upgrades include the availability of rear view and back guide monitors for the LDA system, as well as Intuitive parking Assist, a Tyre Pressure Warning system and a Traction Control ‘Off’ switch.

The CT 200h combines a 99 PS (98hp) 1.8-liter Atkinson Cycle petrol engine with a 60kW (81hp) electric motor for a total output of 134 hp (136PS). The hybrid sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 10.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph).

Combined fuel consumption is rated at 3.6 l/100 km (65.3 mpg US), while CO2 emissions are as low as 82 g/km. Furthermore, Lexus says its hybrid powertrain generates significantly less NOx and particulate emissions that an equivalent diesel engined vehicle.

Lexus has sold 42,000 CT 200h models in Europe since the nameplate launched in January 2011, with Europe making up around 25 percent of total global sales for this model.

By Dan Mihalascu

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