Lexus IS to Get Turbocharged 2.0L by 2016

Now that Lexus has unveiled the 2015 Lexus NX crossover, Lexus now has its first turbocharged engine in the form of a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder. The 2.0L engine is expected to be offered in other models, including the Lexus IS.

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Now that Lexus has unveiled the 2015 Lexus NX crossover, Lexus now has its first turbocharged engine in the form of a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder. The 2.0L engine is expected to be offered in other models, including the Lexus IS.
Currently the IS’s base engine is a 2.5L V6, which only generates 204 horsepower, much lower than the comparably priced Cadillac ATS with its 272-hp 2.0L turbocharged engine or even the BMW 328i with its 240 horsepower engine. With the arrival of the 235-hp 2.0L turbocharge engine from the NX crossover, the IS will better able to battle models like the 3-Series, ATS and Mercedes C-Class.

Related: 2015 Lexus NX Crossover Arrives This Fall, Specs Released

When will it arrive? It’s expected that the IS will get the 2.0L engine by 2016. With the arrival of the new engine, it’s not known if the 2.5L V6 will stick around as a cheaper option. Also we don’t know what the turbocharged IS will be called. If the 2.5L V6 goes away, it could be called the IS 200t or IS 250, but if the small V6 stays, then the turbocharged IS could be called the IS 300.

Stay tuned…

Source: Motor Trend