Lexus CT200h hybrid set to be a fleet favourite

But that perhaps has more to do with the the pert-bummed pop princess’s ability to send the male masses wobbly at the knees than the prospect of battery-assisted green motoring.

Nevertheless, Lexus claims that its debut hatchback heralds the start of a “quiet revolution.”

Billed as the first full hybrid premium hatchback, the CT fuses a 98bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine and 82bhp electric motor to return impressive 94g/km CO2 emissions.

It can cover up to a mile on electric power alone, is exempt from annual road tax charges and will undoubtedly entice company car users with the promise of benefit-in-kind tax of just ten per cent and 68.9mpg claimed fuel consumption.

For the record, however, I managed a 54mpg average during my week-long test.

Prices start at £23,485 for the CT200h SE-I tested, which comes with 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, a USB port and auxiliary socket for portable music players,

Bluetooth for mobile phone connection and audio streaming, front fog lights, LED running day lights and heavily tinted rear windows.

Sat-nav was the only optional addition on my test car—albeit a rather expensive one at £1,850—but the ‘entry-level’ CT had a premium feel nevertheless.

Its profile echoes that of a Mazda 3 but its bumper lights resemble those of the RX450h, giving it a distinctive Lexus family flavour.

Inside, build quality is impressive but the broad centre console does look a little incongruous.

It houses a diminutive gear selector and Lexus’ curious Remote Touch controller—operated like a computer’s mouse—is used to operate the stereo, trip computer and sat-nav via a dash-top screen. The initially alien system becomes intuitive very quickly.

A dial giving the option of Eco, Normal, and Sport modes is perched ahead of the prominent Remote Touch controller.

Sport adds weight to the steering, sharpens throttle response and increases the engine braking effect produced by the regenerative braking system—which charges the on-board batteries under braking—but fails to succeed in making the CT200h a truly rewarding drive.

The CT will hit 62mph in 10.3 seconds on its way to a 112mph top speed, although the lack of conventional engine noise removes some of the sensation of speed.

A constantly variable automatic transmission dispenses with the usual stepped gear ratios, and under hard acceleration the revs remain at a constant 4,500rpm, eliciting a droning soundtrack to brisk progress.

Sound deadening measures which keep the CT’s refined interior all-but-silent for 95 per cent of the time do subdue this characteristic, but it remains a bug-bear while driving the baby Lexus quickly.

Corners are dispatched efficiently with virtually zero roll and impressive grip allowing the CT to carry big momentum...just like its Toyota Group sibling, the Auris Hybrid.

Overall, I wasn’t as dazzled by the CT200h as I was Kylie’s appearance in the ads. For driving satisfaction it can’t compete with sporty diesels like Volkswagen’s Golf GTD or BMW’s 123d.

The fleet market should lap it up, though.

Offering genuinely impressive refinement and a petrol propelled 50+mpg at a time when diesel prices are at an all-time high, there’s perhaps no better time for the CT200h to make its mark.

I always knew Kylie was more sensible than seductive...