Lexus Renames Turbocharged IS & GS Models

Posted by Kevin on August 30th, 2017

Lexus USA has announced their 2018 IS & GS sedan lineup, and there’s one significant change coming to both models — the IS 200t and GS 200t have been replaced with the IS 300 RWD and GS 300.

Of course, the engines will remain the same 2.0L turbocharged engine — this is nothing but a name change that moves away from actual displacement in favor of a more virtual engine designation.

Beyond the badge boost, the IS 300 AWD and both IS 350s will be getting a five horsepower boost, bringing them up to 260 & 311 horsepower respectively. The adaptive front lighting system is also available, and the IS 350 RWD F SPORT can now be optioned with a limited slip differential.

(Here are the full press releases for the 2018 Lexus IS & 2018 Lexus GS models.)

Lexus GS: Fourth GenerationLexus IS: Third GenerationUSA
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Comments
prime300
I don't get it...why not making both the IS300 rwd & awd 2L turbo?? Instead of working on an IS covered with LED & hot sauce edition they Should've worked on putting the 2L with the AWD system in the IS...
I
Mercedes-like naming it seems...
mikeavelli
Love that the 300 nameplate is back on the IS/GS like this.....
The first 300 Lexus cars
ES 300 had a 3.0 V-6 for 185hp
GS 300/SC 300 had a 3.0 I-6 for 225hp
RX 300 had V-6 for 220hp (I might be wrong on that one)
IS 3oo had I-6 for 215hp

Technically even back then both were 300 and had different engines and HP figures.

2018 GS/IS has 2.0 I-4 turbo with 260hp....
S
Should've done that on Day 1. Many people think it's a weak engine because the "200" numbering.
G
mikeavelli
....
2018 GS/IS has 2.0 I-4 turbo with 260hp....
You make me "happy" for a moment there...about the Turbo 4 getting 260 hp...Well, turns out it's the de-tuned of the 3.5L V6
M
Well this makes sense and I'm glad they acknowledged the mistake they made while transitioning to turbo. Displacement made sense in NA era since the actual size of the engine translated into power but with turbo you either put horsepower on the badge or you just name the tiers in the lineup. 300 for midrange and 500 for high end models. There should never be IS/RC/ES500, that exclusive 500 badge most likely will be reserved for LS/LC/upcoming FSSUV and perhaps repositioned GS. Even if IS/RC come up with turbo V6 they should still be named 350 or 400
maiaramdan
So I think this means that the both IS & GS nameplates are safe
bogglo
prime300
I don't get it...why not making both the IS300 rwd & awd 2L turbo?? Instead of working on an IS covered with LED & hot sauce edition they Should've worked on putting the 2L with the AWD system in the IS...
:joy::joy:
krew
prime300
I don't get it...why not making both the IS300 rwd & awd 2L turbo?? Instead of working on an IS covered with LED & hot sauce edition they Should've worked on putting the 2L with the AWD system in the IS...
Let this be the last time the Sriracha IS is ever mentioned on the forums. :mad::joy:

Agree that this whole "300 AWD / 300 RWD with different engines" thing is way too confusing, but it's better than keeping the 200t designation. Sounds wimpy in my opinion.

K