First Generation (XE10)
1999–2005 Lexus IS 200 sedan (GXE10R; Australia) |
|
| Manufacturer | Kanto Auto Works (Altezza Gita) |
|---|---|
| Also called | Toyota Altezza (Japan) |
| Production | June 1998 – July 2005 (Altezza) December 1998 – July 2005 (Lexus IS) |
| Assembly | Iwate, Japan |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback/station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine | 2.0 L 1G-FE I6 (AS200/IS200) 2.0 L 3S-GE I4 (RS200) 3.0 L 2JZ-GE I6 (AS300/IS300) |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm (105.1 in) |
| Length | Sedan: 4,400 mm (173.2 in) SportCross: 4,415 mm (173.8 in) |
| Width | 2004–05: 1,725 mm (67.9 in) 2004–05: 1,720 mm (67.7 in) |
| Height | 1,410 mm (55.5 in) 1,440 mm (56.7 in) |
| Curb weight | IS 200: 1,360 kg (3,000 lb) IS 300 5-Speed: 1,476 kg (3,255 lb) IS 300 E-Shift: 1,490 kg (3,285 lb) IS 300 SportCross: 1,550 kg (3,410 lb) |
| Designer(s) | Ueno Yoshio Kanto (1996) |
Produced as a direct competitor to the luxury sport sedans of the leading European luxury marques, the XE10 series Toyota Altezza and Lexus IS was designed with a greater performance emphasis than typically seen on prior Japanese luxury vehicles. The engineering work was led by Nobuaki Katayama from 1994 to 1998, who was responsible for the AE86 project. At its introduction to Japan, it was exclusive to Japanese dealerships called Toyota Vista Store, until Lexus was introduced to Japan in 2006. The AS200 and AS300 Altezza sedans formed the basis for the Lexus IS 200 and IS 300 models sold in markets outside Japan, primarily North America and Europe. A hatchback-station wagon version was sold in Japan as the "Altezza Gita", and in the US and Europe as the Lexus IS SportCross. Overall, the XE10 came in three variants:
- AS200 (sedan or wagon) – 2.0-liter 1G-FE inline-six, 160 hp JIS (118 kW) or 155 PS (114 kW), rear-wheel drive or 4WD; sold by Lexus as the IS 200
- RS200 (sedan) – 2.0-liter Yamaha-tuned 3S-GE inline-4, 210 hp JIS (154 kW), rear-wheel drive, not sold outside Japan by Lexus
- AS300 (Gita wagon) – 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE inline-6, 220 hp JIS (162 kW) or 215 hp SAE (160 kW), rear-wheel drive or 4WD; sold by Lexus (sedan or wagon) as the IS 300
Read more about this topic: Lexus IS
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