Altezza AS200

The Altezza AS200

The AS200 is the six-cylinder Altezza, chassis GXE10, and the version closest to the Lexus IS200 that Europe knew, which used the same engine. Toyota built the Altezza from October 1998 to 2005 as a compact rear-wheel-drive saloon with double-wishbone suspension at both ends, and the AS200 was the smoother, quieter of its two grades.

Its engine is the 1G-FE, a 1,988 cc straight-six with VVT-i, rated at 160 PS and 200 Nm. For the first year and a half the AS200 came only with a four-speed automatic; from May 2000 it could also be ordered with the RS200's six-speed J160 manual, which brought a Torsen limited-slip differential as standard. A Z Edition with 17-inch wheels topped the grade. The May 2001 facelift brought a new grille and HID headlamps, and from 2002 a four-wheel-drive AS200 was sold, but only as the Gita wagon.

What AS200 owners upgrade

AS200 owners spend first on the chassis and brakes. Chassis bracing, strut braces and stabilisers from the handling range sharpen the saloon's responses, and discs, pads and braided lines from the brakes range follow. LSD upgrade kits and lighter flywheels from the drivetrain range go into the manual cars.

A freer exhaust system gives the straight-six more voice, and steering boss kits and quick releases from the interior range make way for an aftermarket wheel. Project Mu, Cusco, TRD, HKS, JUN, Kakimoto Racing and Works Bell are among the names AS200 owners choose.

Genuine parts

The 1G-FE drives its camshafts by belt, so the timing belt's history is the first thing to check, along with any oil leaks. The facelift matters when ordering body parts: cars built from May 2001 have the later grille and headlamps, so front-end parts depend on the build date.

Genuine parts for the GXE10 are in our genuine Toyota parts catalogue.

Wheels

The AS200 uses M12 x 1.5 wheel nuts and came on 15x6.5 +50 wheels, or 17x7 +50 on the Z Edition. Other sizes are listed under wheels that fit the AS200.