2017 Lexus IS Facelift and NX 200t Special Edition Introduced In Malaysia

Lexus Malaysia has officially introduced the 2017 Lexus NX 200t Special Edition (SE) crossover SUV and the newly-facelifted 2017 Lexus IS sport sedan.

Both models come without any increase in prices and in the case of the newly-facelifted IS, three of the four variants are actually priced less than before.

Lexus NX 200t Special Edition

The New Lexus NX Special Edition receives a restyled front end with new LED headlamps and front fog lamps. The NX 200t SE also adds black themed highlights, which include dark film trim, a black spindle grill, and side mirror surrounds, and a larger newly designed black 18-inch alloy wheels.

Equipment levels have been improved – now comes with powered back-door, panoramic sunroof, and smart card key entry system.

The Special Edition commands an RM2k premium over entry level NX200t. The Lexus NX SUV range is now priced as follows –

• NX200t: RM318,757
• NX200t Special Edition: RM320,813
• NX200t Premium: RM350,512
• NX200t Luxury: RM372,191
• NX200t F Sport: RM398,907
• NX300h: RM409,091

Prices stated are OTR inclusive of GST and Insurance.

2017 New Lexus IS

The facelifted 2017 Lexus IS introduces improvements with the aim of enhancing the owner, driver and occupant experience.

The exterior appearance has also been refreshed according to the company’s “Aggressive Design” concept which was adopted for this generation.

At the front, reshaped headlamps are now Bi-LED units (triple lenses on IS 300h) and have a more pronounced look than before. The shape that accentuates the ‘L’ configuration of the daytime running lights which serve as a ‘signature’ for Lexus models. The turn indicators are also the LED type now.

The bumper has been restyled to smoothly integrate the larger air intakes, the new spindle grille angles back at a higher point than before, giving the impression of a lower centre of gravity and to blend with the reshaped bonnet.

Changes to the rear include new triple-layered LED light guides and new rectangular, chrome-finished exhaust tips. Newly designed 17-inch alloy rims are fitted to the IS 200t Premium and IS 300h (now with run-flat tyres as standard) while the IS 200t Luxury and IS 200t F SPORT have 18-inch alloy rims with staggered, wider dimensions at the rear.

One of the highlights of the 2017 model is the wider centrally mounted “EMVN” screen which has been significantly increased from 7 inches to 10.3-inches. This new, high-resolution monitor presents larger and clearer images and has a split-screen view so that different information displays can be presented simultaneously.

An auto Start/Stop system is also now fitted to all variants.

As before, the model line is available with a choice of two powertrains and four variants. Customers can choose from either the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in the IS 200t Premium, IS 200t Luxury and IS 200t F Sport variants or the IS 300h which is equipped with Lexus’ 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine-electric motor hybrid with a net system output of 220hp.

Shared with the NX 200t but rotated 90 degrees for longitudinal installation, the IS 200t's twin-scroll turbocharged powertrain features a highly-advanced VVT-iW valvetrain that is able to switch between Otto and Atkinson combustion cycles depending on the need to prioritize between power and economy. For the same reason, the engine also incorporates both direct and port fuel injection, again to alternate between the two according to driving conditions and throttle input.

The 8AR-FTS engine is rated at outputs of 241hp and 350Nm, which is sent astern by an 8-speed automatic transmission, enabling the IS 200t to sprint from rest to 100km/h in seven seconds flat. In the NX 200t, however, the same engine is quoted for 235hp and 350Nm, and is paired with a 6-speed auto to drive all fours. 

The 2017 Lexus IS range is priced as follows –

• IS 200t Premium: RM306,327
• IS 200t Luxury: RM341,464
• IS 200t F Sport: RM376,401
• IS 300h: RM423,677

Prices stated are OTR inclusive of GST and Insurance.

All new models sold by Lexus Malaysia come with a comprehensive factory warranty of 5 years with unlimited mileage. The NX 300h and IS 300h also have an 8-year battery assurance program for the hybrid battery pack.