It was only a matter of time, but now Lexus has finally confirmed and revealed the new Lexus IS 200t. It gets the company’s first turbocharged petrol engine.
Following in the footsteps of the NX 200t and RX 200t, the IS 200t comes with Lexus’s new 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine. It produces 180kW of power and 350Nm of torque, offering a combined cycle fuel consumption of 7.0L/100km.
Thankfully, the engine is matched up to an eight-speed sports automatic transmission and not one of the company’s boring CVT units. Flat out, the IS 200t can cover 0-100km/h in a very respectable 7.0 seconds.
The engine uses a 4-into-2 exhaust-driven turbocharger with twin-scroll technology. Lexus says this setup provides high response and minimal turbo-lag, as well as enhanced low-speed torque.
There’s also a liquid-based intercooler mounted directly to the engine, as well as variable waste gate valve control to minimise pumping losses by reducing back pressure under low loads.
Combined with D-4ST direct injection and dual VVT-iW variable valve timing, the 160kg engine, passing Euro 6 compliance, has the potential to really lift the sporty IS’s appeal in the competitive segment.
Lexus hasn’t said if the model will replace the IS 250 and its ageing 2.5-litre V6, but given the V6 is quite uneconomical by today’s standards, it does seem a likely move. Production will commence in September. Australian details are yet to be finalised.
