Toyota Altezza I (XE10) gallery (1998–2005)
Toyota Altezza compact rear-wheel-drive sports sedan and wagon (XE10 series), tuned at Nurburgring and sold globally as the Lexus IS 200/300.
The Toyota Altezza compact sports sedan (XE10 series) debuted in Japan in October 1998, winning the Japan Car of the Year title. Developed under lead engineers Nobuaki Katayama and AE86 legend Hiromu Naruse on a rear-wheel-drive platform with four-wheel double-wishbone suspension, the vehicle offered exceptional dynamic handling. Available as a four-door sedan and the five-door Altezza Gita sports wagon (from 2001), the body featured tight overhangs and iconic clear-lens taillights that sparked a global aftermarket trend. The driver-focused cabin featured a chronograph-style instrument cluster.
The performance flagship Altezza RS200 was powered by a high-revving 2.0-liter Yamaha-tuned 3S-GE Dual VVT-i four-cylinder engine generating 210 horsepower paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. The AS200 trim used a 2.0-liter 1G-FE inline-six (160 hp), while the Gita AS300 offered a 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE (220 hp) with optional 4WD. Exported globally as the Lexus IS 200 / IS 300, a 2001 update refreshed the front grille and interior console detailing. Production concluded in 2005.
