Lexus discontinues IS 250, introduces IS 200t, IS 300 AWD and IS 350



As you would have known or heard by now, the Lexus IS will get the company’s own twin scroll turbocharged 2.0-litre engine taking form in the IS 200t, one that will make its way here in the fourth quarter this year.

While the IS 200t replaces the outgoing IS 250 variant, Lexus is adopting a new strategy in continuing the IS nameplate by introducing the IS 300 AWD and IS 350. The turbocharged IS 200t will be RWD only, and gets an eight speed automatic gearbox to complement the 241 hp and 350 Nm made by the new four cylinder engine.

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Powering the IS 300 AWD is a modified naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 block also shared with the IS 350 variant, but here it produces 255 hp and 320 Nm of torque at 2,000 to 4,800 rpm. As the name suggests, the 300 will get an electronically controlled All-Weather Drive and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Topping off the IS range is the IS 350, which shares its engine with the IS 300. However, it’s tuned to make 306 hp and 376 Nm of torque mated to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission with integrated Advanced G-Force Artificial Intelligence for intuitive gear selection. The IS 350 can be had in either RWD or AWD formats – the latter allowing automatically variable front-to-rear torque split from 30:70 to 50:50.

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2016 Lexus IS 300 AWD F Sport

It’s very likely that, when the IS 200t arrives in Malaysia, the F Sport package will be offered as well. This package will grant shaper handling acuity (courtesy of the specially tuned suspension) matched aesthetically with a set of 18-inch wheels. The exterior and interior will also get mild revisions, whereas the F Sport pack for the IS 300 AWD and IS 350 will come with a sportier intake sound.

Safety wise, the 2016 Lexus IS is fitted with 10 airbags as standard across the range (our current IS comes with eight airbags), Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, Pedestrian Protection Performance, front and rear parking sensors with reverse camera and a host of other carryover features.

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2016 Lexus IS 350 F Sport

There are eight exterior colours and five different interior colour schemes to match, but whether or not we will get all hues remains to be seen. Be sure to stick around for the latest insights on the Lexus IS!


IMAGE GALLERY

Lexus IS 200t

Lexus IS 300 AWD F Sport

Lexus IS 350