It's been 17 years since Toyota offered a U.S.-market turbocharged engine. The last one was a memorable 320-hp twin-turbo mill powering the high-performance version of its third-generation Toyota Supra sports/GT coupe. Introduced in 1993, it was withdrawn from North America in 1998. Toyota also sold turbocharged 4-cyl. pickups in 1985-86 and a turbocharged MR2 sports car from 1991-95.
Toyota’s newest U.S. turbo is offered in the all-new ’15 Lexus NX 200t luxury compact CUV.
"The market for vehicles that combine a turbocharger with a small-displacement engine is increasing," says Izumi Watanabe of Toyota's Engine Product Design Div. "So Lexus decided to adopt its first-ever turbocharged engine. This turbo mechanism helps efficiency by reducing engine displacement. It also increases acceleration and helps express the brand’s 'fun to drive' attribute."
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