We already knew that the Lexus IS in its new form is not coming to our country, but there are more victims on the Lexus price list. The compact Lexus CT and the two-door Lexus RC will also disappear in Europe. Surprise: the mighty RC F can still be ordered!
The disappearance of the CT and the RC300h is actually less of a surprise than the disappearance of the IS before. While the IS, as a BMW 3-series competitor, operates in a very important part of the market, the RC as a coupé is a real niche product. Moreover, the RC is in fact the two-door brother of the outgoing IS. The model has been around since 2013 and is on its last legs despite a facelift in 2018. Not surprising that Lexus decides that it has been good for this car.
The delivery range of the RC is also very special. On the one hand there is the RC300h, a fairly good and economical hybrid. The only other choice is the RC F, a monster with a naturally aspirated V8 and 457 hp (even 477 before). With regard to the latter, there is good news: this relatively compact monster will remain available for the time being.
This brutal RC F can stay for a while
CT
The Lexus CT is even older than the IS. The compact hybrid hatchback was presented in 2011. It shares its 1.8-liter four-cylinder and hybrid components with the previous Prius and Toyota Auris. In its early years, the compact and economical Lexus in the Netherlands could not be dragged, partly thanks to all kinds of tax benefits. In the meantime, almost all buyers have turned to more modern alternatives.
One of those alternatives is Lexus’ own UX, which addresses an important theme. The fact that there is no direct successor to the CT, of course, has everything to do with shifting the focus to SUVs and crossovers. Lexus also prefers to focus on the high-legged ones, the importer confirms to Techzle. The UX, NX and RX are increasingly pulling the cart and it does not look like that will change in the short term.
Anyone who wants to get hold of a CT, can also turn to Lexus for a model that is appropriately called the ‘Ultimate Edition’. At € 33,295, that car is not expensive for a premium hatchback in this segment, but it is certainly not the youngest.
The non-SUVs remaining in Europe after the disappearance of the CT, IS and RC are the mid-sized ES, top limousine LS and image maker LC.