2016 Lexus IS Gains 2.0-Liter Turbo-Four Engine In Place of Base V-6

The 2016 Lexus ^Parts IS adds a new turbo-four engine, as well as a lower-powered V-6 option, in a mild refresh for the sports sedan. The IS also receives a few equipment changes, such as a heated steering wheel being offered as a standalone option.

 

The new 2016 Lexus IS200t replaces the former IS250 as the car's base model. Offered only with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 200t's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine offers 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's up from the 204 hp and 185 lb-ft that the outgoing IS250's 2.5-liter V-6 engine offered. Lexus also expects the new engine to improve fuel economy, which was rated at 21/30 mpg (city/highway) in the rear-wheel-drive IS250.

The 2.0-liter engine is already in use in the Lexus NX200t crossover and is likely to spread to more Toyota and Lexus models in the U.S. The Lexus IS200t was already revealed in Europe earlier this year, with its engine rated for 244 hp.

The Lexus IS350 continues to offer its 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine with both rear- and all-wheel drive. But to sate drivers who want a more affordable all-wheel-drive sedan, the 2016 Lexus IS also adds a new IS300 AWD model. A detuned version of the 3.5-liter V-6 offers 255 hp and 236 lb-ft; this trim level essentially takes the place of the outgoing Lexus IS250 AWD, as the new turbo engine is not offered with all-wheel drive. The V-6 engines are also mated exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Source :  Automobile