Toyota Altezza RS200 / AS200

The Toyota Altezza is the Japanese variant of the European Lexus IS200. It has been available in Japan since 1998, at which time it received many accolades and won Japan's coveted Car of the Year award with its VVTi engines and Beams Tuning. In Japan, the car is produced in two forms, the Inline-6 DOHC 24v VVT AS200, and the more powerful RS200 - with an Inline-4 DOHC 16v VVTi engine (Specifications and a more thorough review of each are included below).

The European market (including the UK) was not offered the more powerful RS200 variant, settling instead upon the Lexus badged IS200 - with the same I-6 (Inline 6 cylinder) engine and a set range of packs e.g. S, SE and Sport.

Altezza RS200

The Toyota Altezza RS200 is available in Japan and as a UK import in both manual and automatic form, with the 6 speed manual pushing out an impressive 210bhp (ps) and the 5 speed auto box (with f1 style e-shift gears) close behind with 200bhp. The RS200 is the more sought after and therefore more expensive car of the two - respected the world over as the sports breed of the car.

Altezza AS200

This vehicle more closely resembles the UK variant of the car - with its 6 cylinder engine and 160 bhp (with 4 speed auto box). A cheaper alternative to its 4 cylinder brother, it nonetheless offers an inexpensive way into owning a Toyota Badged Lexus.

Specifications:

Review:

"Impressive though the Lexus IS200 is, it is overshadowed by the japanese market Altezza" - Car Import Guide Feb/Mar 2001. The RS200 gives out an explosion of power, almost comparable to the Honda VTEC, feeling and souding like a race car as the variable valve gear starts. The interior is refined and sophisticated, with good looking dials, though the majority of Japanese market Altezzas are Z-Edition without the leather seats. The Toyota Altezza is very enjoyable to drive - particularly in 6 Speed RS200 form, with a race-feel engine and great build quality. If you are looking for an automatic, the Japanese version has the 5 Speed F1-Style gearshift which is also great fun to drive. The Altezza can be spotted by the 'A' badge on its front grille.

Photographs: (Click to see larger view)

Prices:

Prices vary widely depending on whom you approach. The cheapest source evidently is to acquire the car directly from Japan from auction - where every car undergoes stringent grading requirements pre sale. Bonsaicars exclusively offers free access online to such auctions 4 days per week to its members. The next alternative is to find one already imported into the UK, where the cost of investment will have been added to the sale price. Beware here as some importers will add very generously to the sale price, so choose wisely. Click here to see available Bonsaicars stock.

Auction Cost 1998 - 2002: UK on the Road - £9,000 to £14,000 depending on age, mileage and grading (condition)

To see auctions listings of the Toyota Altezza - click here (For all cars click here)

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Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS200)

Toyota Altezza