Topic: 2016 Lexus IS gets turbo engine, new model designations

[rrocket]

The 3.5L D4S engine is fantastic regardless of how long it's been around.  It might give up a FEW ponies to some of the competition (though it's not like they're all sporting 400hp or more...) it's a super solid engine that has great power delivery and it's dual injection system gives the benefits of both types with no apparent downsides - no carbon issues, etc.

Maybe less than a few HP, Jon.. On my 2006, I put down 275 RWHP.  That for a car that's rated 306 at the crank.

The current version in the IS350 puts out 241 hp rear wheels.  That is competitively crappy.

I had heard the 06' were stronger.  Certainly depends on the dyno.  Unless I have the numbers jumbled?  It could have been 257.  I'll have to see if I can dig up my sheets.  I do remember it made the same (if not more) RWHP than my V8 GS400.

[rrocket]

The 3.5L D4S engine is fantastic regardless of how long it's been around.  It might give up a FEW ponies to some of the competition (though it's not like they're all sporting 400hp or more...) it's a super solid engine that has great power delivery and it's dual injection system gives the benefits of both types with no apparent downsides - no carbon issues, etc.

Maybe less than a few HP, Jon.. On my 2006, I put down 275 RWHP.  That for a car that's rated 306 at the crank.

The current version in the IS350 puts out 241 hp rear wheels.  That is competitively crappy.

I had heard the 06' were stronger.  Certainly depends on the dyno.  Unless I have the numbers jumbled?  It could have been 257.  I'll have to see if I can dig up my sheets.  I do remember it made the same (if not more) RWHP than my V8 GS400.

VERY possible.  I remember the 2006 version putting out some very strong acceleration numbers which seemed to get weaker several years later.  Emissions controls?

You are correct.  The early IS350 was as fast as the 335i..and in some tests quicker.  As the years progressed, the 335i seemed to get a bit quicker...or the IS got slower.

Real world, my IS350 ran 13.6 with Julie at the wheel..her first time at a drag strip. She even chased down a Mustang GT for the win, which pulled her from the hole. With me driving, I could get 13.4s  It's a very stout engine.  Anvil reliable too.

[Noto]

The real winner here is the 2.0T RWD, assuming you live somewhere warm.

Or assuming you know how to drive in the snow without needing the AWD crutch.

This too.  I have a friend with a RWD BMW 328i.  Does fine with a set of winters.

Really?  You're bringing this up again?  I'm discussing sales trends, which suggests that massive numbers of those in colder climates flock towards AWD options.

To argue that someone who prefers AWD "doesn't know how to drive in the snow without needing the AWD crutch" is not in line with my comment.

I'm happy for your friend who drives a RWD BMW year-round.

And I seriously doubt that this is a way to push buyers into the more expensive 350. Lexus acknowledges that the vast majority of buyers in this segment choose AWD and for whatever reason the turbo four doesn't mate with the AWD system in the IS (at least not yet). This is still a substantial power upgrade from the current IS250 for what will surely be a modest price increase.

I call bullsh!t.  I'm positive this is a push towards the higher-priced trim, as Lexus is known to do (e.g. $9,000 package upgrade just to get Navi?!).

I don't care if the engine is de-tuned, but it shouldn't be de-tuned so far that a fricken Camry is more powerful.

It is possible that the 2.0T's transverse layout is the issue, but I doubt that's really the show-stopper here since the IS200t is still RWD and not FWD.

[mmret]

Doesn't that hideous NX have the 2L turbo with awd?

Transverse though?

Then again I don't see why that would be such a big deal as long as the transmission mates correctly (they already have a longitudinal transmission that works with AWD obviously).

[mixmanmash]

The real winner here is the 2.0T RWD, assuming you live somewhere warm.

Or assuming you know how to drive in the snow without needing the AWD crutch.

This too.  I have a friend with a RWD BMW 328i.  Does fine with a set of winters.

Really?  You're bringing this up again?  I'm discussing sales trends, which suggests that massive numbers of those in colder climates flock towards AWD options.

To argue that someone who prefers AWD "doesn't know how to drive in the snow without needing the AWD crutch" is not in line with my comment.

I'm happy for your friend who drives a RWD BMW year-round.

And I seriously doubt that this is a way to push buyers into the more expensive 350. Lexus acknowledges that the vast majority of buyers in this segment choose AWD and for whatever reason the turbo four doesn't mate with the AWD system in the IS (at least not yet). This is still a substantial power upgrade from the current IS250 for what will surely be a modest price increase.

I call bullsh!t.  I'm positive this is a push towards the higher-priced trim, as Lexus is known to do (e.g. $9,000 package upgrade just to get Navi?!).

I don't care if the engine is de-tuned, but it shouldn't be de-tuned so far that a fricken Camry is more powerful.

It is possible that the 2.0T's transverse layout is the issue, but I doubt that's really the show-stopper here since the IS200t is still RWD and not FWD.

I didn't bring it up.  I simply agreed with rrocket.

[OliverD]

I call bullsh!t.  I'm positive this is a push towards the higher-priced trim, as Lexus is known to do (e.g. $9,000 package upgrade just to get Navi?!).

How do you figure that? If they wanted to push customers into higher trims, wouldn't they just offer the IS350 and not even bother with an IS300?

[Noto]

I call bullsh!t.  I'm positive this is a push towards the higher-priced trim, as Lexus is known to do (e.g. $9,000 package upgrade just to get Navi?!).

How do you figure that? If they wanted to push customers into higher trims, wouldn't they just offer the IS350 and not even bother with an IS300?

Folks come in on the basis of a lower price of entry, then after loving the car, decide that they want/need something else.  It's usually out of their budget, but "only" $30/month more.  Financing, *sigh*

[OliverD]

I call bullsh!t.  I'm positive this is a push towards the higher-priced trim, as Lexus is known to do (e.g. $9,000 package upgrade just to get Navi?!).

How do you figure that? If they wanted to push customers into higher trims, wouldn't they just offer the IS350 and not even bother with an IS300?

Folks come in on the basis of a lower price of entry, then after loving the car, decide that they want/need something else.  It's usually out of their budget, but "only" $30/month more.  Financing, *sigh*

I don't understand how that translates to the IS250 AWD being replaced by the IS300 AWD.

[OliverD]

And I seriously doubt that this is a way to push buyers into the more expensive 350. Lexus acknowledges that the vast majority of buyers in this segment choose AWD and for whatever reason the turbo four doesn't mate with the AWD system in the IS (at least not yet). This is still a substantial power upgrade from the current IS250 for what will surely be a modest price increase.

I call bullsh!t.  I'm positive this is a push towards the higher-priced trim, as Lexus is known to do (e.g. $9,000 package upgrade just to get Navi?!).

I don't care if the engine is de-tuned, but it shouldn't be de-tuned so far that a fricken Camry is more powerful.

It is possible that the 2.0T's transverse layout is the issue, but I doubt that's really the show-stopper here since the IS200t is still RWD and not FWD.

2015 Pricing:

IS250 RWD: $37,900
IS250 AWD: $40,500

2016 Pricing:

IS200t RWD: $39,250
IS300 AWD: $41,700

So a bunch more power and standard heated seats results in a marginal price increase.

[Weels]

No more RWD IS350 though.   
Probably because they sold about 23 of them.

[OliverD]

No more RWD IS350 though.   
Probably because they sold about 23 of them.

Yeah that's too bad. They probably won't sell many IS200t models either. BMW has also discontinued the 320i, 328i, and 428i RWD models.