Lexus IS 200t

Lexus are doing really well as a premium luxury brand.  These are highly desirable cars that are very well engineered, and they are proving to be one of the most reliable luxury car brands in the world.  A fresh new Lexus IS range is now available for 2016, and one of the IS models is a real beauty.  A tweak in the design sees a refined headlight design with some bolder statements made in the car’s edging and lines.  But what is also available for the classy IS range is a brand new 2.0-litre, 180kW turbo charged engine with direct injection offering immediate response and excellent fuel economy.  The model is known as the IS 200t.

Engine performance for the Lexus IS 200t is exciting thanks to the turbo that forces additional air into the cylinders for a bigger bang in the combustion chamber, while there is also a direct injection system that injects fuel into the cylinder after the air has been compressed.  This adds up to an exhilarating and responsive engine.  Acceleration shows itself at any stage of the engine revs, and you can achieve a sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7 seconds.  A top speed of around 230 km/h can easily be accomplished on the right piece of road – just watch for those blue twinkly lights!

The new Lexus IS 200t is not all about going fast, however, and with all the latest technology to save fuel at any opportunity, the IS 200t also features an engine Stop/Start system which minimises fuel wastage by stopping the engine when at a standstill.  Out on the road, the Lexus IS 200t rides the road with loads of control and feedback.  Braking is powerful and, though taut, the chassis soaks up the road undulations very well.  Hitched up to a super-smooth racetrack-proven 8-speed transmission, you’ll enjoy silky smooth acceleration and relaxed touring.  Lexus also has designed a clever Artificial Intelligence shift control which adds more control on hills – so as you travel up and down the hills, the G-sensor selects the correct gear for ideal gear-braking.  Lexus’s 8-speed auto also has a sequential mode where the transmission performs like a manual.  With a range of driving modes to suit the driver’s mood, the new Lexus IS 200t can be switched between ECO mode, NORMAL mode and SPORT mode.  If you like the look of the F Sport and Sports Luxury models, these models offer an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Drive Mode Select with CUSTOMISE and SPORT+ driving modes.  AVS continually monitors and adjusts the shock absorber settings, as driver style changes and road conditions decree.  Obviously, the SPORT+ mode is the all-out performance setting, and the AVS delivers the suspension response expected from a true-blue sports sedan.  So, when SPORT+ is selected the firmer ride and reduced body roll sticks the car to the tarmac at high speeds and fast cornering.

There are loads of intelligent active safety features to ensure the car stays at the forefront of automobile safety.  Advanced safety features in the IS include Automatic High Beam (AHB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW+), a Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS), Radar Active Cruise Control, Brake Assist, rain sensing wipers, a reversing camera, ten Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) airbags, a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), an Anti-lock Brakes System (ABS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), pedestrian detection, a pop-up bonnet pedestrian system, a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).  Certainly, the car feels very solid and well built.

Lexus IS 200t Interior

Again, the new Lexus IS 200t impresses when it comes to interior comfort and luxury.  There is a good level of space in the cabin; however you do need to keep in mind that the Lexus IS range are the smallest Lexus models on sale, and rear seat room won’t be quite as good as its bigger siblings.  Those limitations aside, the new IS has grown in cabin size and you can still fit 2 – or -3 adults across the rear seats.

Front seat room is good, and all the switchgear and instrumentation ergonomics are excellent.  Comfortable leather upholstery and front seats with electronic adjustment and memory are standard.  Dual-zone climate control keeps the air temperature clean and balanced for all IS occupants, and the premium sound system is high quality and enjoyable.  Satellite navigation with SUNA Live Traffic Alerts is a smart addition to the new Lexus IS 200t.  Having the technology to be able to connect with your smartphone allows you to remotely send destinations to the navigation system, search for local businesses, locate nearby service stations, view the weather, gauge your travel time, sort a perfect soundtrack with Pandora and even chat to friends via Bluetooth communications.  The Lexus IS 200t and IS 300h F Sport grades can obtain the optional Mark Levinson audio system with 15 speakers.

There are several grades of trim and luxury features for the Lexus IS.  Sports Luxury grades add things like an electric rear sunshade for improved rear seat comfort.  Luxury grades come equipped with things like a reversing camera with rear guide assist, a 10.3-inch multimedia screen, clearance and reversing sonar, a 10-speaker Pioneer DVD Audio, heated and ventilated front seats, and a special leather accented interior.  The pure Luxury grade gets features like the 835W Mark Levinson 15 speaker audio system, a Blind Spot Monitor, a driver’s seat with three memory positions, and a tilt-and-slide moonroof.  IS F Sport grades make the Lexus IS very sporty with 18-inch smoke-finish F Sport alloy wheels, an F Sport unique front bumper and grille, LFA-style 8-inch digital instrumentation, an Adaptive Variable Suspension, and an F Sport unique steering wheel.

One thing is for sure; when you drive the new Lexus IS 200t you will be noticed.  The car looks really good in the metal and draws attention.  With flowing curves and speedy lines, the new IS even has a low 0.28 drag coefficient.  This is a very well made and a car that knows how to make its owner happy.

The Lexus IS 200t models include:

• IS 200t Luxury
• IS 200t F Sport
• IS 200t Sports Luxury

For any more information on the Lexus IS 200t or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Lexus dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!