Turbocharging is a trend that is sweeping across the automotive industry for many years. Lexus has only recently joined the party with the 2015 Lexus NX 200t with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo. Now, a version of this engine joins the lineup with the 2016 Lexus IS.
Introducing the Lexus IS 200t. This engine was developed in-house and features a twin scroll turbocharger with an intercooler to produce 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque between 1,650 and 4,400 rpm. It is backed up by the 8-speed automatic transmission and is only available in the RWD configuration.
TFLcar may have caught an early prototype equipped with the 2.0L turbo undergoing high altitude and winter testing about seven months ago.
The 2.5-liter V6 engine is no longer available. However, Lexus adds another powertrain choice to the IS lineup. It is the IS 300 AWD. It is dedicated as an all-wheel-drive model and uses a specially tuned 3.5-liter V6 motor. It puts put 255 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. Interestingly, it is paired to the 6-speed automatic transmission. It is basically a detuned version of the IS 350, which remains intact for the 2016 model year with 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The IS 350 can still be configured with RWD or AWD.
TFLcar is looking forward to test the IS 200t at higher altitudes of Colorado. We have a hunch that the small turbocharged motor is a great choice when compared to the older 2.5-liter V6.
Watch this video that shows hows how the discontinued 2.5-liter V6 performed when compared with the 3.5-liter V6 brothers.
