Lexus CT 200h Leads On Total Ownership Costs

New full hybrid luxury hatchback set to deliver exceptional savings

KEY POINTS

• CT 200h delivers class leading ownership costs compared to main market rivals
• 10 per cent benefit in kind company car tax and 100 per cent first year write-down allowance against Corporation Tax
• Lexus Hybrid Drive reduces scheduled service, maintenance and repair costs
• Private owners, company car driver and company car operators can all realise significant, on-going ownership cost savings
• Only premium model with automatic transmission to be exempt from London congestion charge

The launch of the new Lexus CT 200h into the heart of the small luxury car market is set to shake up the established status quo. As the first full hybrid in its segment, it will deliver unprecedented benefits in total ownership costs, beyond anything its rivals can offer.

Thanks to the low emissions performance and high fuel efficiency of CT 200h’s Lexus Hybrid Drive system, owners can take advantage of zero annual road tax charges and lower company car benefit-in-kind rates. It also has the distinction of being the only premium model with automatic transmission to be exempt from the London congestion charge. What’s more, its low emissions performance demands no compromise in the luxury, comfort and convenience features premium segment customers expect.

More money can be saved through the car’s design for low service, maintenance and repair (SMR) costs and predicted residual values that match the current class leaders.

CT 200h’s Lexus Hybrid Drive has low maintenance requirements designed-in. There is no starter motor or alternator, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) means there is no conventional clutch and there is no concern about diesel particulate filter performance. Furthermore, the regenerative braking system helps extend the life of the brake pads to an average 70,000 miles. The hybrid components are covered by a five-year/60,000-mile warranty.

Cost comparison – Benefit-in-Kind taxation over three years
CT 200h’s sub-100g/km CO2 emissions (94g/km subject to homologation) mean that it attracts benefit-in-kind company car taxation at only 10 per cent. The impact of this compared to the tax charges on its main market rivals over three years is shown in the table below: in terms of tax, CT 200h can save a company car driver more than £90 a month.

Cost comparison – Retail, Company Car Driver and Company Car Operator
The new CT 200h can deliver cost savings to private owners, company car driver and company car operators, thanks to its combination of low emissions-linked taxation, high fuel economy and residual values, low service, maintenance and repair costs and a 100 per cent write-down allowance against Corporation Tax in the first year.

The table below shows that, compared to its principal rivals, CT 200h can save drivers more than £3,000 over three years or 60,000 miles. And for businesses choosing it as a fleet car, the savings can be well in excess of £7,000.

Note: Figures for the CT 200h include 10 per cent benefit-in-kind company car tax, 68.9mpg combined cycle fuel consumption, a residual value of more than 40 per cent, £1,457 scheduled service, maintenance and repair costs and a 100 per cent write-down allowance against Corporation Tax.

Retail total cost of ownership includes depreciation, Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax), fuel and insurance costs and service, maintenance and repair charges.

Company car driver total cost of ownership includes benefit-in-kind rating and 5,000 miles annual private usage. Company car operator total cost of ownership includes write-down allowance, national insurance charges, depreciation, road tax, fuel insurance and service, maintenance and repair costs.

The CT 200h, the first full hybrid in the small luxury car segment and Lexus’s first compact hatchback, will go on sale in early 2011.

ENDS