I have a strange feeling that the new turbo motor going into the lower model IS will dissapoint to some degree. Everyone obsessing on the forum about the increased power numbers versus the current gen 250 and being able to compete against the Germans. Mark my words, the car will not accelerate and feel like a lot of people think it will.

Displacement loss (no V6), different gearing and Torque curve might make the car FEEL slower at some acceleration times versus the current gen 250.

May be faster on paper and more efficient gas wise, but something is telling me it will dissapoint to some degree. Let's all hold our reviews until the motor actually gets into the car and enjoy the current powertrain!

Ok rant over

 

The increased torque should be great for low-end.

its disappointing that your can not tune it get true potential of turbo.

 

As they say, there is no replacement for displacement.

 

I don't really care for the thrashy sound of most 4 bangers. I have the small V6 in my IS and I like it. I leased the car when my mileage was 5 to work and 5 home. Things changed. It's 20 to work and 20 home, now, so I will go over miles. I have decided to buy the car at the end of my 27 month lease. I really like it and I could not get a better car at the residual price, new or used.

 

So is it confirmed that the new IS250 will be a 4 cylinder turbo or will it be a 6 cylinder turbo?

 

IS200T - it does pretty well in the NX200t. Even if they just stick the same transmission and engine combo in it will do great.

Loves being revved and its super smooth. Drive one!

Its all about expectations - if you expect 0-60 in 3.4s you're obviously going to be disappointed. If you go in expecting a faster car than an IS250, you wont be. Have a realistic expectation - and some faith!

 

Not being able to tune a Turbo car is definitely a down side! Put the turbo in, tune it to stock specs and let me worry about whether or not I want my warranty

 

OP, there is a lot of truth to your posting. Having the NX now for already 6 months, the big negative for me is the response.

At launch, count 1+ second before the power builds and comparably, the IS 250 is already several yards ahead in a sprint. However, once power builds at about 2500 rpm (not 1650), you feel the strong pull of 258 lb Ft to near red line. (gearing could play a role here...) The "danger" with this delay is when you need to make split-second manoeuvres such as a left turn at an intersection or right turn yield , both with incoming traffic, you better anticipate that one+ second. I do now after a close call.

At speed, since boost is already spooled a little, the response is better, but still not as peppy as the 250 for every day city driving.

I've said this in a few other threads, if I had the choice and fuel economy aside, I'd take the buttery smooth and deep sounding V6 over the (still smooth, but boring sounding) Turbo 4 for my daily driving. On the track, or in a long sprint, different story, the NX even at 400lbs more leaves the IS in the dust. Imagine 400lbs less, 0-60 I predict an easy 6 seconds near IS 350 territory!

 

In the nx200, it moves the car at a good pace, moreso than the is250 imho. Im not sure how the turbo 4 will sound in the IS platform, but it sure isnt trashy by anymeans in the nx200, in fact its quieter with a subtle growl from the firewall when pressed compared to my is350.

 

I think think a turbo 4 will be a lot more fun to drive than the current IS250. Keep in mind that the 250 is not meant to be a performer, that's what the 350 is for.

 

In october the new IS will released in Germany. I tested the NX200t and i still like my V6 more. The NX is heavier and not that "agil" like the IS but there are some points that match.
Even in manual power needs a second. And for me- i miss the pressure. Maybe that will change with the IS body.
The V6 sounds better.
I belive that the new IS will be a little boring to drive in D. Keep it higher rpm,drive M, shift alot and the mpg will suffer like in all the other eco boost,Blue tec etc.
Lexus should redesign the V6 and put a turbo or compressor on it.

 

IS 200T is going to be a major improvement to the 250.

it's what Lexus should have used for the IS in 2014.

Personally I think it will be a SMASHING success, both with sales and reviews.

 

I think the IS200t will not disappoint for some reasons. First of all, I had a test drive of NX200t and it left mixed impressions. The sound and vibration after the cold start are terrible after buttery smooth 4GR-FSE. The one-and-more second delay between pressing the pedal and car's response is not what I was expecting from a modern twinscroll turbo. And the unexpected and noticeable lack of power till 3000 RPM left some questions too. The acceleration in 3000-5000 range was really good though. Applying all of these thoughts to the upcoming turbo-IS allows me to make some conclusion. Unlike the basically FWD NX the IS is an RWD car with a more massive and stretched poweplant, and it should be better balanced and produce less vibrations. The new four-cyl engine is lighter than the almost 10 years old V6. So less weight => better dynamics and handling. On paper the turbo can offer about 30 HP and 100 Nm more - and it's a sufficient amount of power and torque. The looooong response of the electronic gas pedal is a common thing for the majority of the modern cars due to the strict emission regulations. This can be healed with the aftermarket throttle controllers like TOM'S, BLITZ, etc. And if the power and response will be still not satisfying, the turbo engine is what Toyota/Lexus tuners have been waiting for the last 10-15 years. Toyota has got a rich heritage of the 2L turbos - remember the legendary 3S family - and the major JDM tuners definitely have not forgotten how to play with this kind of engines ) So what we gonna get - a lighter, more powerful, poor sounding car with a better fuel economy and great potential of getting faster - what's not to like?

 

Honestly, I don't like the idea of paying around 40,000 for a 4 cylinder. I went through the same thing with my c class. Had a 2010 c300,which was also a somewhat underpowered v6 and eats a lot of gas. Had the turbo 4 c250 as loaners and I didn't like them at all. It might be different with lexus, but I'm not counting on it.

 

Not bad if Turbo IS250 can hit 1/4 miles in 15 sec. I had drove 4 cylinder turbo on different car and it kind of fun.