November 4, 2014

Dear Sir,

I always enjoy your regular supplements describing new models of cars and your recent Vroom publication is no exception — I was an avid car-spotter in my youth, back in the days when there were such wonderful cars to spot. I was amazed, however, to see an ad for the Lexus CT200h which is described as “a fully hybrid luxury compact”. I was suitably astonished to read that “The CT200h delivers an astonishingly smooth performance and low CO2 emissions … through a combination super-efficient 1.8-litre petrol engine, high-output electric motor, compact battery, seamless hybrid transmission and a power control unit.” Wow! that surely is automotive technology at its most advanced. Very impressive.

My amazement turned to concern, however, when I read on and learned that: “When starting off, the electric motor can reach 45km/h, with electric power being supplied from the battery. At this point the car is almost silent, uses no petrol and produces zero emissions.

Accelerate powerfully (my emphasis) and the electric motor instantly supplements the 1.8-litre petrol engine, delivering a satisfying surge of torque to provide powerful acceleration precisely when you need it.

At speeds above 45km/h the petrol engine cuts in, almost silently, but still receives assistance from the electric motor when required.”

With a speed limit of 35km/h and an “ambient” traffic speed of (say) 45—50km/h I fail to see how such a car as the Lexus CT200h can possibly be suitable for use on our roads. We have enough problem with speeding, to say nothing of the devastating crashes every weekend, without introducing a vehicle that has to be so over the limit before the engine even cuts in. I hope the Transport Ministry will not be allowing this wonderfully engineered, eco-friendly vehicle to be introduced to Bermuda where it is blatantly too aggressive and a case of serious overkill.

PETER NASH

Smith’s