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.