Lexus Gallery opens at Robinsons Magnolia, new CT hybrid launched

 

TWO brands crossed paths in the New Manila area of Quezon City Feb 6, and there they will intertwine for two years.

 

Luxury auto brand Lexus, recognizable with its insignia ‘L’ in an ellipse, inaugurates its satellite display inside the Robinsons Magnolia Mall at the corner of Aurora Boulevard and Hemady Street in Quezon City.

 

The inauguration was led by Lexus Manila chair Alfred Ty, JG Summit Holdings Inc president Lance Gokongwei, Lexus Manila president Daniel Isla, Toyota Motor Philippines president Michinobu Sugata, Summit Media president Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng and Robinsons Land Corporation president Frederick Go.

 

There’s no better timing and venue, too, for the unveiling of a freshly styled green car for 2014–the CT200h hybrid sedan–in a 4-level retail complex awarded the green building certification by the Quezon City local government.

 

The CT 2000h adopts an updated fascia with full spindle grille, shark fin-type antenna, clearance and back sonar and new 16-inch alloy wheels. The F-Sport receives the new ES navigation and remote touch interface.

 

Lexus decided to stretch its popularity a bit more among luxury car lovers in the the Quezon City, New Manila and Greenhills areas, thus the establishment of the satellite display there.

 

A full parallel hybrid, the CT 200h blends the power of a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor through an electronic continuously variable transmission.

The total system output of 134 horsepower, combined with instant torque produced by the electric drive motor and the E-CVT’s ability to quickly find the optimal gear ratio, give the CT 200h responsive performance ideal for an everyday vehicle–with an emphasis on driving enjoyment. A second motor in the hybrid system serves as both engine starter and generator to charge the hybrid battery pack. Under certain conditions, the CT 200h can be driven in quiet EV mode, which allows it to drive short distances at low speeds with zero tailpipe emissions. It’s ideal for running a quick local errand or scouting for a parking space in a crowded lot or garage.

Robinsons Magnolia sits on a total land area of 52,228 square meters, with a total gross floor area of 107,033 sq m. It features a landscaped park, and has 3 levels of parking. Robinsons Magnolia becomes the 6th largest among its 32 malls.

 

The Gokongwei-led Robinsons Land Corp., which bought the property from San Miguel Corp., claims that the new establishment strictly adheres to the stringent standards set under the city government’s Green Building Ordinance of 2009, which requires the design, construction or retrofitting of buildings, other structures and movable properties to meet minimum standards of a green infrastructure.