When will Lexus reveal the official 2016 lineup (including IS 200T)?
#16
Lexus Test Driver
fully agree. i will be totally shocked if lexus waits an entire year longer til 2017.
that would be a very bad move for their sales.
and for the record, i believe the 200T variants of the IS and RC will receive more praise and fare much better in comparisons tests than the 350 variants.
IS200T will be properly matched with 328i
RC200T will be properly matched with 428i
right now... is250 can't compete with anybody and the is350 does not have the thrust to compete with 335i and S4. like someone above said... they need to add turbo to compete with those brawlers.
and the rc 350 can't compete with 435i or S5, but add Turbo and BAM!... game changer
that would be a very bad move for their sales.
and for the record, i believe the 200T variants of the IS and RC will receive more praise and fare much better in comparisons tests than the 350 variants.
IS200T will be properly matched with 328i
RC200T will be properly matched with 428i
right now... is250 can't compete with anybody and the is350 does not have the thrust to compete with 335i and S4. like someone above said... they need to add turbo to compete with those brawlers.
and the rc 350 can't compete with 435i or S5, but add Turbo and BAM!... game changer
#17
I think Lexus aren't waiting. They are just behind the schedule.
Lexus should have change the 250 to 200T and 350 to something new with turbo at the time they release the 2014 model. Even they make the RCF to beat with the M4. BMW has already move from V8 to a 6 with turbo. Lexus is never on the top of the game at least on the performance.
I guess reliability is what holding them back. It is because a bad turbo design would lead to a lot of issues. It seems like Lexus is using NX as an experiment to test out the new turbo and engine,
It turns out NX is very successful.
I hope Lexus will make a good 200T the coming year.
Lexus should have change the 250 to 200T and 350 to something new with turbo at the time they release the 2014 model. Even they make the RCF to beat with the M4. BMW has already move from V8 to a 6 with turbo. Lexus is never on the top of the game at least on the performance.
I guess reliability is what holding them back. It is because a bad turbo design would lead to a lot of issues. It seems like Lexus is using NX as an experiment to test out the new turbo and engine,
It turns out NX is very successful.
I hope Lexus will make a good 200T the coming year.
1 year of tweaks + better gearbox + far less weight = huge potential for improvement in acceleration.
that's like saying why would anyone care about the Audi S3 and S4 when the Audi RS7 destroys them both. they are all great cars in their own right.
Last edited by Booster; 05-08-15 at 02:23 PM.
#18
Lexus Test Driver
totally agree. they should have gone turbo with the new generations from the start.
in addition to that, much mention has been made of the 6 speed only transmission and it is highly likely that if they were to drop the 200T into the IS/RC models, it would be matted to an 8 speed similar to the way the 328i / 428i is set up.
1 year of tweaks + better gearbox + far less weight = huge potential for improvement in acceleration.
IS200T would not compare to the rivals of the 350. Each car has it's own bracket. they will certainly care about the IS200T when it competes very well and possibly outclasses it competition in key areas.
that's like saying why would anyone care about the Audi S3 and S4 when the Audi RS7 destroys them both. they are all great cars in their own right.
in addition to that, much mention has been made of the 6 speed only transmission and it is highly likely that if they were to drop the 200T into the IS/RC models, it would be matted to an 8 speed similar to the way the 328i / 428i is set up.
1 year of tweaks + better gearbox + far less weight = huge potential for improvement in acceleration.
IS200T would not compare to the rivals of the 350. Each car has it's own bracket. they will certainly care about the IS200T when it competes very well and possibly outclasses it competition in key areas.
that's like saying why would anyone care about the Audi S3 and S4 when the Audi RS7 destroys them both. they are all great cars in their own right.
#19
Lexus Test Driver
totally agree. they should have gone turbo with the new generations from the start.
in addition to that, much mention has been made of the 6 speed only transmission and it is highly likely that if they were to drop the 200T into the IS/RC models, it would be matted to an 8 speed similar to the way the 328i / 428i is set up.
in addition to that, much mention has been made of the 6 speed only transmission and it is highly likely that if they were to drop the 200T into the IS/RC models, it would be matted to an 8 speed similar to the way the 328i / 428i is set up.
#20
You seem to think turbo with more gears is always better, but in fact that is not the case. Much has been said of the 8 speed transmissions into the IS350 gear hunting specially at higher ranges. Turbo's on small displacement engines have not shown the stellar gas mileage everyone was expecting. They have benefits of their own, but also some drawbacks too. Lexus' 2l turbo will be fine in the IS due to its weight, it is undersized for the NX. Mating it to an 8 speed? That's a whole other set of compromises as the tranny will never let it reach the higher rpms that a turbo needs to be most efficient.
328i has 240hp turbo4, 8 speed, is applauded for drivetrain, and gets 30+ mpg and some report 35+ mpg
#21
Lexus Test Driver
I got an X3 fully loaded for a week rental, I got even worse mileage than the 2011 RX350. Power delivery was abysmal and the start/stop feature got annoying fast on stop and go commuter traffic. It did great on the wide open highway once the the traffic cleared though. I got the lady to drive it to work one day, and drove it the rest of the days. She dropped it from her list to cross shop for the RX replacement. That week end, we signed up for an NX F-Sport, even with the under powered engine.
Last edited by My0gr81; 05-08-15 at 08:49 PM.
#22
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I really hope the 200t gets around 34 hwy/25 city to compete with the likes of C-Class and 3-series. I know Audi is bringing a brand new twin turbo engine for their 2016 Audi A4 that they tout is the most efficient engine in its class. It would be a little embarrassing for Lexus to continue to sell the 250, which would produce much less power and consume much more gas than its competitors.
#23
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By the way I just wanted to share my opinion on 2GR-FSE (3.5L V6 found on IS/GS350). This engine is one of the best naturally aspirated engines in the current market. Even though it is old and all that but if you look around, there are not that many 3.5 NA engines with 306hp, bullet proof reliable, smooth and lenient power delivery and a decent sound. NA engines have their own specific qualities that are better than their FI counterparts. Number one, instant response. Two, lenient, smooth, predictable power delivery. Three sounds good. Four better reliability. Five, on the track it might be better to have a car with a NA engine over FI one (unless FI engine is tuned to have a pick torque at higher RPMs) because RPM almost always stays at high levels.
#24
Its more or less confirmed that IS 200t is coming this year. The new 2.0 T seems to be performing very well in new NX which has been a smash hit for Lexus. It should be perform ever better in the IS which is few hundred pound lighter
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2015/03/...t-coming-soon/
And i agree with salvadorik the 3.5 V6 found is several Toyota & Lexus models remains one of the best engines out there despite its age. The refinement of some of Turbo motors for e.g. BMW 328 is no match for the Lexus V6 IMO. I hope Lexus retains the 3.5 V6 ; all it needs it bit more power and better fuel efficiency just like what they did with the new RX & Tacoma.
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2015/03/...t-coming-soon/
And i agree with salvadorik the 3.5 V6 found is several Toyota & Lexus models remains one of the best engines out there despite its age. The refinement of some of Turbo motors for e.g. BMW 328 is no match for the Lexus V6 IMO. I hope Lexus retains the 3.5 V6 ; all it needs it bit more power and better fuel efficiency just like what they did with the new RX & Tacoma.
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This is just my opinion but the Six Cylinder Engine is a marvel when it comes to balance and refinement. I have a 2014 Lexus IS 350 F Sport and in my Country, the Philippines, they did not put a speed limiter in the top end because as I was breaking it in (using the thermal method via RPM), the last phase involves testing it's limit in the top end which I hit easily at 270 k/hr. or 168.7 m/hr. in your standard. I did it in a long stretch of road which is called the SCTEX or Subic/Clark Expressway. Of course, it registered in the digital speedo, the accuracy of which is beyond my control. But I did eat the dust of a new Subaru 2.5 WRX STI which does about 0 to 100 in 5.2 seconds as versus my Lexus which is 10% slower. But I am happy nonetheless because of the quiet comfort that a Lexus provides when you are touring and the smooth shifting that an 8 speed auto provides.
#26
Are you saying that the reason why BMW frequently brakes down is because it reaches 30+ mpg? You do realize that EPA estimated mpg is an ESTIMATE. The biggest single factor of MPG is the driver's driving style. BMW has many other problems, most notably electrical ones. The electronics is the weakest part of European cars, unfortunately. What Booster wanted to say if Lexus brings that 2.0T engine to IS250, it will be win win win situation. Lighter, more power and torque, and better mpg. If that NX's 2 liter turbo is a reliable motor, I see no reason to believe that Lexus's reliability reputation will be tainted.
By the way I just wanted to share my opinion on 2GR-FSE (3.5L V6 found on IS/GS350). This engine is one of the best naturally aspirated engines in the current market. Even though it is old and all that but if you look around, there are not that many 3.5 NA engines with 306hp, bullet proof reliable, smooth and lenient power delivery and a decent sound. NA engines have their own specific qualities that are better than their FI counterparts. Number one, instant response. Two, lenient, smooth, predictable power delivery. Three sounds good. Four better reliability. Five, on the track it might be better to have a car with a NA engine over FI one (unless FI engine is tuned to have a pick torque at higher RPMs) because RPM almost always stays at high levels.
By the way I just wanted to share my opinion on 2GR-FSE (3.5L V6 found on IS/GS350). This engine is one of the best naturally aspirated engines in the current market. Even though it is old and all that but if you look around, there are not that many 3.5 NA engines with 306hp, bullet proof reliable, smooth and lenient power delivery and a decent sound. NA engines have their own specific qualities that are better than their FI counterparts. Number one, instant response. Two, lenient, smooth, predictable power delivery. Three sounds good. Four better reliability. Five, on the track it might be better to have a car with a NA engine over FI one (unless FI engine is tuned to have a pick torque at higher RPMs) because RPM almost always stays at high levels.
that aside, yes the 2.0T engine for Lexus will be a mammoth homerun for the IS platform. It will fit the car very nicely.
and I agree that the 306 hp V6 in the 350 is one of the best V6 engines available today for reasons noted above.
#28
#30
Lexus Test Driver
I bet the VAST majority of the IS250 buyers aren't enthusiasts and wouldn't care much if the turbo came out. Enthusiasts mostly care about the IS350 and even given a chance between the 200T or the 350, most would probably buy the bigger engine if they could afford it. Where the mags will really care is if Lexus brings out a 3.0L turbo. Seems like thats not gonna happen this year.