The new Lexus IS 200t brings a significant increase in fuel efficiency compared to its outgoing V6-powered counterpart.
Finally making its way to the US market after availability abroad, the 2016 IS 200t package features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in place of the 2.5-liter V6 from the 2015 IS 250.
The downsized engine has received an official EPA city/highway/combined rating of 22/33/26 mpg, representing a marked improvement over the IS 250′s 21/30/24 mpg. The range-topping IS 350, outfitted with a 3.5-liter V6, carries over with a 19/28/22 mpg rating for the rear-wheel-drive package. Another newcomer to the family, the IS 300 AWD, boasts a 19/26/21 mpg rating.
Aside from the improved fuel efficiency, and perhaps more important for many buyers, the 200t also brings more power than its predecessor. Output has been bumped from 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque to 241 ponies and 258 lb-ft of torque. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is only available on the V6 packages.
The new models are expected to arrive in showrooms within the next few months, however Lexus has not yet announced specific launch dates or pricing details.
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