Are Toyota Altezza and Lexus IS200 the Same?
The Toyota Altezza and the Lexus IS200 are essentially the same car, with some regional differences in branding and features. In Japan, the first-generation Lexus IS was sold as the Toyota Altezza, with the sales beginning in October 1998. In Europe, the car debuted as the Lexus IS200 in 1999. The US had the JCE10 version, also known as the Lexus IS300. The first-generation IS had unique features not available in other Lexus models, including a chronograph-style instrument panel, a navigation system with a pop-up screen, and a chrome shift knob. The design of the Lexus IS received critical praise. The Altezza RS200 is built more as a Toyota sports car, while the IS200 is more focused on luxury and refinement. The Altezza RS200 has better seats, interior, carpets, is lighter by over 100kg, different gearbox ratios/final drive, LSD, different suspension, and often comes with TRD bodykits, making it look far better than a standard model.
In summary, while there are some differences in branding and features, the Toyota Altezza and the Lexus IS200 are essentially the same car, with regional variations in marketing and specific features.
Contents
- What is the name of the Lexus IS200 in Japan?
- What is the Lexus version of the Altezza?
- Are IS200 and Altezza the same?
- What is the difference between Lexus IS 200 and Altezza RS200?
- What is the Toyota version of the IS200?
- Is a Lexus basically a Toyota?
- What is the difference between Lexus IS200 and Altezza RS200?
- Is Lexus IS 200 a Toyota?
- Is the Toyota Altezza a Lexus IS300?
- Why is Lexus IS200 so popular?
What is the name of the Lexus IS200 in Japan?
TOYOTA ALTEZZA (LEXUS IS200-300) Used Vehicles for Sale from TRUST Japan.
What is the Lexus version of the Altezza?
The IS was originally sold under the Toyota Altezza (Japanese: トヨタ・アルテッツァ, Hepburn: Toyota Arutettsua) nameplate in Japan from 1998 (the word Altezza is Italian for ‘height’ or ‘highness’). The IS was introduced as an entry-level sport model positioned below the ES in the Lexus lineup.
Are IS200 and Altezza the same?
Altezzas are a very different beast to the IS200 despite looking the same; lighter, stiffer, shorter diff ratio and better suspension mean they’re a much tighter drive and the BEAMS engine is awesome.
What is the difference between Lexus IS 200 and Altezza RS200?
The four-cylinder 3S-GE engine in the Altezza RS200 makes 200 horsepower, while the six-cylinder 1G-FE engine in the Altezza AS200 / Lexus IS200 makes 160 horsepower, suggesting that the four-cylinder probably gets marginally worse fuel economy. while one set of numbers for the Altezza RS200 is available here.
What is the Toyota version of the IS200?
Specifications
Model | Lexus IS200 | Toyota Altezza RS200 |
---|---|---|
Layout | Front-engined, Rwd | Front-engined, Rwd |
Dimensions | L / W / H / WB: 4400 / 1720 / 1410 / 2670 mm | |
Engine | Inline-6, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT | Inline-4, dohc, 4v/cyl, VVT. |
Capacity | 1988 c.c. | 1998 c.c. |
Is a Lexus basically a Toyota?
Who Own’s Lexus? Toyota does own the Lexus lineup of Lexus car models and SUVs, but the two brands operate independently with headquarters in separate cities.
What is the difference between Lexus IS200 and Altezza RS200?
The four-cylinder 3S-GE engine in the Altezza RS200 makes 200 horsepower, while the six-cylinder 1G-FE engine in the Altezza AS200 / Lexus IS200 makes 160 horsepower, suggesting that the four-cylinder probably gets marginally worse fuel economy. while one set of numbers for the Altezza RS200 is available here.
Is Lexus IS 200 a Toyota?
The IS 200 and IS 300 were compact executive cars that Lexus started marketing in 1999 to be their entry-level model. The model is known as the Toyota Altezza in Japan and was developed as a high-performance luxury car to compete directly with the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4.
Is the Toyota Altezza a Lexus IS300?
The Toyota Altezza is an IS200/IS300 from the outside. Body kits for the IS300 WILL fit the Altezza as well. However, the Altezza was only sold in Japan, and this is one of the reasons why the Altezza is a better car inherently.
Why is Lexus IS200 so popular?
The drive behind the IS200 was to change the public perception of Lexus in export markets, which so far had been synonymous with large luxury limousines like the LS400. The new, sportier model helped Lexus to position its technologically advanced products against small executives like the BMW 3 Series.