Diesel is se to be ousted by petrol-electric power next year when Lexus launches an all-new IS range.

And the next-generation luxury saloon will lead its segment with an unrivalled blend of high operating economy and low tailpipe emissions, claims Lexus Europe director Paul Van Der Burgh.

“Our CT Hybrid model is working well as a fleet product and the time has come for us to move further in this direction with the new IS300H, which will replace our 2.2-litre diesel engine with a new 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol motor combining the Atkinson cycle with new injection technology.

“As a result, it will set a new world record rate of 38 per cent thermal efficiency to offer a good blend of performance, refinement and an emissions figure of 100g/km to make it very tax efficient for a D-segment car.

“Our diesel CO2 performance was no longer competitive, but with the benefits of our hybrid system, this new powertrain allows us to be a fully effective alternative to heavy oil. It also allows us to provide the quiet and seamless driving performance that’s associated with our brand and will continue to set Lexus apart,” he said.

Due to be launched in the first quarter next year, the IS300H is expected to take many styling cues from the LF-CC concept car revealed at the Paris salon.