Lexus IS 200t Turbo Engine

Lexus won't say yet if North America will get this new force-fed four in the IS, but given that the NX 200t is available here in the USA, it’s probably more of a matter of "when" than "if" we'll get it as a replacement to the IS 250 that has a 204hp 2.5L naturally aspirated V6.

The 2.0-liter petrol engine that combines a twin-scroll turbocharger with Toyota's D-4ST direct fuel injection system delivers 245PS or 241hp and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) of peak torque in the IS 200t allowing it to reach 100km/h (62mph) in 7.0 seconds and top out at 230km/h (143mph).

Lexus says it returns an average fuel consumption of 7.0l/100 km (equal to 33.6mpg US and 40.3mpg UK) in the combined European driving cycle. The IS 200t pairs the 2.0L turbo unit to a new 8-Speed Sport Direct Shift transmission with paddle shifts that was originally developed for the RC F high-performance coupe and which changes gear shifting in accordance to G-forces.

The rear wheel drive IS 200t is actually the first Lexus sedan to get this "smart" gearbox. According to the Japanese firm, "the transmission automatically downshifts during hard braking before a corner then holds a lower gear through the corner for best control and then selects the most suitable gear on corner exit to give the driver greater throttle response."

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