The Lexus IS 200t is a success on many levels. Pricewise it’s positioned between the upper medium passenger sedan and lower premium car market; and it performs like a luxury sedan or a spritely sports coupe depending on how the driver sets up the controls.
Finally, the IS 200t offers a level of comfort and convenience normally found in vehicles positioned well into the luxury car market. Which is aimed at further broadening its appeal.
A replacement for the IS 250, sharp prices characterise the IS 200t range which consists of three variants – Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury, coming to the market at $64,041, $73,055 and $84,385 respectively, on the road.
One of two comprehensive Enhancement Packs can be added to the Luxury and F Sport models with a corresponding cost increase. The test vehicle, for example, the IS 200t Luxury, included the Enhancement Pack 1, which adds an electric tilt and slide moonroof, upping the price to $66,870 on the road.
Lexus throws down the gauntlet to rivals with the IS 200t bringing a stack of standard luxury features including pre-collision safety, active cruise control, reversing alarm, rain-sensing wipers and power adjustable steering column.
STYLING
The new Lexus IS models feature a continuation of the classic IS lines – sporty yet stylishly laid back. The signature Lexus spindle grille has evolved with a three-dimensional design and a chrome-plated frame and darker grey insert from top to bottom.
Front-on the view is complemented with Bi Xenon HID low/high beam headlamps with LED daytime running lamps.
In profile, the car is characterised by a line which takes off to match those of the rear taillight unit. The rear, once again, has a wide, sporty stance, emphasised by a trapezoidal design beginning between the inner section of the tail light units and flaring out towards the side sections of the bumper.
INTERIOR
The driver-oriented cockpit design was inspired by that of the Lexus LFA supercar with the dashboard divided into a display zone and an operation zone to offer drivers more comfortable, ergonomic interaction with the vehicle’s control systems.
Soft-touch finishes can be found throughout, including padding on the centre console sides, while a piece of premium automotive embellishment is the silver metallic trim analogue clock with surface self illumination.
Generous 480 litre boot space is greatly enhanced by standard 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
INFOTAINMENT
The touch-sensitive Lexus Remote Touch controller is positioned close at hand on the centre console and is the contact with many of the IS 200t convenience systems including satellite navigation and reversing camera.
Lexus Enform enables mobile connectivity to a variety of services such as advanced Bluetooth with music streaming and phonebook, while dual-zone automatic climate control is operated with new touch-sensitive electrostatic switches.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The engine is taken from the NX 200t compact sports utility vehicle, the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged unit switched through 90 degrees to face north / south, and hooked up to the rear wheels via an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift automatic transmission.
With help from a revised exhaust system layout, it comes up with 180 kW, 27 kW more than the IS 250 V6 it replaces, and better than some of its close European rivals.
SAFETY
The highest strength tensile steel body structure, together with 10 airbags, helps provide excellent occupant protection.
Pre-Collision Safety System with Active Cruise Control are now standard on all models, while Blind Spot Monitor and Lane Departure Warning come on F Sport with option pack 2 and Sports Luxury models.
DRIVING
The IS platform has been reworked to deal with the characteristics of turbo power as opposed to the previous naturally aspirated unit. The powertrain is well matched with the chassis, providing sharp steering, with the body rigidity helping maintain suspension control over varying road conditions.
Off the mark, the IS 200t is at the mercy of the turbo, which only comes into its own under heavy pedal pressure, urging the engine on to high revs. There’s a non-intrusive growl, while an enhanced driving experience has been dialled in with auto-blip downshifts.
All models exhibit the cabin tranquility for which Lexus has become well known due to the company’s long-running battle against engine noise and vibration, although road noise does intrude on rougher road surfaces all too familiar in Australia.
Advanced automotive technology has been put to work with fuel economy, while stop / start engine function, for the first time in a Lexus, helps with fuel savings in congested traffic.
Further savings can be made by locking in the transmission’s Lexus Drive Mode Select function to Eco as opposed to Normal. Under normal circumstances the test vehicle consumed 12 to13 litres per 100 kilometres on a day-to-day city commute and 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres at motorway speeds.
SUMMING UP
The IS 200t is Lexus’s latest entry-level to its rear-wheel drive sports sedan line-up, which includes the GS and flagship LS lines, and together with an extended dealer network, is aimed at meeting demand for entry into the luxury vehicle market.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Lexus IS 200t Luxury automatic sedan: $64,041
Lexus IS 200t Luxury + Enhancement Pack: $66,870
Lexus IS 200t F Sport automatic sedan: $73,055
Lexus IS 200t F Sport + Enhancement Pack 1: $77,176
Lexus IS 200t F Sport + Enhancement Pack 2: $79,235
Lexus IS Sport Luxury automatic sedan: $84,385
Note: These prices are drive-away and include all government and dealer delivery charges.
FEATURES
Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS) with Active Cruise Control standard on all models. 10 airbags: two-stage dual front airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front and new rear side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. Remote Touch controller. Satellite navigation and reversing camera. Heated and ventilated seats, Smart Entry key, electric front seats and mirrors. LFA-style thin-film transistor instruments with all-digital display on F Sport models featuring Stop / Start monitor, boost, oil temperature and oil pressure gauges. Advanced Bluetooth with music streaming and phonebook transfers. Dual-zone automatic climate control with touch-sensitive electrostatic switches. 4.2-inch full colour multi-information display including audio, trip, navigation, phone and ambient temperature. Mark Levinson 835-Watt Premium Surround Sound System with new unity, wide dispersion and inverted motor structure loudspeaker technology with 15 speakers (optional on F Sport, standard on Sports Luxury).
SPECIFICATIONS (Lexus IS 200t 2-litre turbocharged petrol sedan)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.998 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in-line
Maximum Power: 180 kW @ 5800 rpm
Maximum Torque: 350 Nm @ 1650-4400 rpm
Fuel Type: Petrol 95 RON
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 7.5 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 175 g/km
DRIVELINE: Eight-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4665 mm
Wheelbase: 2800 mm
Width: 1810 mm
Height: 1430 mm
Turning Circle: 10.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1620-1680 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 66 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Four years / 100,000 km
