Today Lexus made it abundantly clear that their all-new CT 200h will go on sale in America in early 2011 to become the first premium grade hybrid hatchback in the market, of course unless someone else come up with such thing in that period of time! Before that though, it’ll make its U.S. debut at the 2010 New York Auto Show.

Th CT 200h’s hybrid powertrain consists of  1.8L Atkinson cycle four-cylinder gas engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and an electric motor which the company calls the Lexus Hybrid Drive technology to make it more interesting!

The electric motor, generator and power split device are all housed in one highly compact casing the size of a conventional gearbox, with drive to the front wheels provided by Lexus Hybrid Drive’s quiet and smooth shift-by-wire, electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT).

The car has our drive-modes including Normal, Eco, Sport and EV and features Power Control Unit (PCU) Electric Power Steering (EPS) Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), as well as anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), TRAC and VSC.

The Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control will be available as an option on CT 200h. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control uses millimeter-wave radar to measure and help maintain a pre-set distance from a vehicle traveling ahead. PCS is equipped with a front-mounted radar sensor that can detect certain obstacles in front of the car. The PCS computer helps determine whether a frontal collision is unavoidable using information from the radar sensor, vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw-rate inputs. In such a situation, PCS alerts the driver with audible and visual warnings, and pre-initializes BA so that increased braking will be applied the instant the driver depresses the pedal. In addition, PCS will preemptively retract front seat belts.

Standard equipments of the CT200h in American market include fold-flat rear seats, SmartAccess key system, tilt and telescopic steering wheel column, steering wheel audio controls, front sport seats, an eight-way power and memory driver’s seat and Safety Connect, plus a six-speaker Lexus Premium audio system with a CD player, auxiliary and USB inputs, integrated iPod^® control, Bluetooth^® audio wireless connectivity, and an integrated XM^® Radio receiver.

You may also spec it up with a moonroof, optional hard disc drive (HDD)back-up camera, voice command casual language-based voice recognition system, Bluetooth phonebook, and Remote Touch controller with user-adjustable haptic feedback.

Lexus has not announced the car’s performance and priding details yet.