Lexus IS goes turbo

Lexus Australia has introduced an upgraded version of its entry-level sedan, the IS, to do battle Mercedes-Benz's dominant C-Class, BMW's facelifted 3 Series, Jaguar's XE and Audi's all-new A4.

There are important new safety upgrades, but headlining the changes to for the revised mid-size sedan is the fitment of Lexus' new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine first seen in the NX 200t crossover.

The new IS 200t brings big gains in performance and efficiency over the IS 250 it replaces, but also a $3500 price increase – following a $1500 price cut due to the import duty reduction early this year – to $57,500 plus on-road costs for the base-level IS 200t Luxury.

Nevertheless, the base IS 200t still undercuts the cheapest C-Class and XE -- but not the outgoing A4 or BMW's new entry-level 316i turbo triple – yet matches the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines in the much more expensive C 250, A4 2.0 TFSI, 328i and XE 25t for torque and betters all but the BMW for power.

The 8AR-FTS engine produces 5kW more power than it does in the NX 200t, offering 180kW at 5800rpm and the same 350Nm of torque over 1650-4400rpm in its first longitudinal rear-drive application.

That means the IS 200h offers 18 per cent or 27kW more power and 39 per cent or 98Nm more torque than the 153kW/252Nm 2.5-litre V6 in the old IS 250.

Matched with a newer eight-speed automatic transmission to replace the old IS 250's six-speed, the IS 200t is 14 per cent quicker with a claimed 0-100km/h time of seven seconds (down from 8.1) and 18 per cent more efficient at 7.5L/100km (down from 9.2), thanks in part to an idle-stop system. Top speed is 230km/h.

As in the NX, the 2.0-litre turbo-four features the world-first combination of a twin-scroll turbo and water-cooled cylinder-head with integrated four-into-one exhaust, plus VVT-iW valve timing and D-4S injection.

The square-cylinder (86mm bore x 86mm stroke) four-pot weighs 160kg, runs on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol and has a 10.0:1 compression ratio, and its turbo spins to 180,000rpm.

It's accompanied by new engine mounts, a revised exhaust and, in 200t and 350 V6 models, a Yamaha-developed front chassis 'performance damper' that's claimed to increase suspension rigidity, improving ride and handling.

While all IS vehicles now come with 10 airbags, the base 200t also comes with Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS), Active Cruise Control, front/rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers and a power-adjustable steering column.

This is in addition to range-wide standard features – many of which are options on key rivals -- including bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry/start, satellite-navigation, reversing camera, digital radio, Lexus Remote Touch controller, heated and ventilated front seats and dual-zone climate-control. The IS 200t runs on 17-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof costs $2500 extra.

The IS 200t is available in three grades, with F Sport models costing an extra $8000 and flagship Sports Luxury variants costing $11,000 more.

Meantime, the IS 300h hybrid and IS 350 V6 bring carryover powertrains but more equipment for an extra $2500 and $6000 respectively, and are available in the same three grades.

The IS 300h Luxury costs $3000 more than before at $60,000, the IS 300h Sports Luxury is new and IS 350 models rise in price by less than $2000.

As before, F Sport models add cosmetic and mechanical extras including adaptive variable suspension, 18-inch F Sport alloy wheels, high-friction front brake pads, sports pedals, front sports seats and unique instruments. Premium Mark Levinson sound and a sunroof costs $4000, with automatic high beam and lane departure warning adding a further $2000.

The Sports Luxury flagship includes all those features as standard, plus 835-Watt 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio, wood grain trim and a powered rear sunshade.

In addition, all IS 300h variants and the IS 350 Luxury get a self-dimming rear-view mirror, the IS 300h Sports Luxury gets LED headlights and metallic scuff plates, and the IS 350 F Sport gets an F Sport steering wheel, F Sport seats with driver's memory and variable-ratio steering. All F Sport and Sports Luxury variants have a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.    

Three new paint colours – Sonic Quartz, Caliente and Cobalt Mica (IS 200t F Sport only) – join the existing Mercury Grey, Premium Silver, Titanium, Onyx, Starlight Black, White Nova and Vermillion hues.

Meantime there are five interior colour options: black, Moonstone, ivory, Topaz Brown and Dark Rose (F Sport only).

Like all Lexus models, the IS comes with a 48-month/100,000km warranty with roadside assistance.

With the overall new-vehicle market up slightly overall this year and the luxury segment expanding significantly more, Lexus believes the upgraded IS will snare many buyers moving from mainstream to luxury cars.

"Step-up buyers and new models like the NX and RC are driving the growth in the luxury segment. We think we're perfectly positioned as an aspirational brand to capture those step-up buyers," said Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley.

Lexus expects the new engine to account for a dominant 45 per cent of IS sales, followed by the 300h hybrid (30 per cent) and 350 V6 (25 per cent), with most demand being for the entry-level Luxury grade (40 per cent), followed by the F Sport (35 per cent) and top-shelf Luxury Sports (25 per cent).

Including the first-generation IS launched here in 1999, the second generation from 2005 and the third-gen from 2013, Lexus has sold 36,500 IS vehicles Down Under, making it the brand's most successful single model here.