The new Lexus IS has a love it or hate it design, well a lot of people seem to hate more than love it. I personally hated it when I first saw pictures of it but after seeing it in the flesh, I grew quite fond of its exterior design. I like the fact that it looks so different; I don’t know how it will age and whether I’ll still like it in a few years time?
Lexus has been offering the IS as IS250 and IS350 trims, both powered by V6 engines. The IS250 is powered by a pretty weak ass engine, a V6 that produces only 204 horsepower. That’s a pretty sad number in this day and age. However, when Lexus introduced the turbocharged 4-cylinder NX 200t, I had a feeling that engine might make it into the IS.
Well, here it is, the all-new Lexus IS 200t, a turbocharged 4-cylinder Lexus IS sedan. Currently Lexus is saying the 200t will be available in Europe, but I’m pretty sure it’ll also make its way into their North American line up.
The 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces 245 PS (241 horsepower) and 258 pound-feet (350 Nm) of torque, mated to an 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission from the RC F coupe. According to Lexus, the 200t does the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 7.0 seconds and achieves a combined mileage of 33.6 mpg on the European cycle, which should be a few mpg less on the US cycle.
The new Lexus IS 200t will go on sale in Europe in September, no word yet on when they’ll go on sale in the USA and Canada.
Lexus IS 200t Photo Gallery
