Ever heard of the Toyota Altezza? It's a cool Japanese sports sedan, first released in 1998. Its name, Altezza, actually comes from Italian. It means "height" or "highness." Toyota chose this name to show they were aiming for a higher-class car. Think of it like aiming for the "height" of luxury. The Altezza was designed to compete with popular European cars like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. It offered a mix of performance, style, and practicality.One of the things that made the Altezza stand out was its unique design. It had sharp lines and a sporty look. The front of the car was especially noticeable because of its four headlights. This was unusual at the time. The Altezza's chassis, the car's base frame, was built to be strong and balanced. It used a special suspension system called double-wishbone, which made it handle really well.The Altezza came with a few different engine options. The RS200 model had a 2.0-liter engine, made with help from Yamaha, that was known for its power. This engine had a special feature called variable valve timing (VVT-i). This helped the car accelerate quickly and perform well overall.Now, here's the interesting part. The Altezza wasn't sold as a Toyota in the United States. Instead, it was sold as the Lexus IS. Specifically, the IS 200 and IS 300. These models matched the Altezza's 2.0-liter and 3.0-liter engine options. Besides a few small details, the Lexus IS and Toyota Altezza were basically the same car under the skin.Even though Toyota stopped making the Altezza in 2005, it's still remembered. It helped Toyota become a bigger player in the luxury car market. It also inspired later Lexus IS models. Today, car enthusiasts still love the Altezza for its performance, handling, and how easy it is to customize.If you're in the US and want a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) Altezza, you can import one! But there's a catch. The car has to be at least 25 years old, according to US import laws. So, as of 2023, models from 1998 and earlier are allowed in. Each year, more become eligible.In short, the Toyota Altezza is a great example of Japanese engineering. It combines style, performance, and luxury. Its legacy continues to inspire car lovers, and its influence can be seen in the cars that came after it. So, the next time you see a Lexus IS, remember its Japanese cousin, the Toyota Altezza.
