Editing Lexus IS (section)

=== 1998–2000 ===
Introduced in 1998 with the AS200 (chassis code GXE10) and RS200 (chassis code SXE10) sedans, the compact vehicle was produced using a shortened, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive midsize platform,<ref name=gt/> allowing Japanese buyers to take advantage of tax savings imposed by [[Vehicle size class#Japan|Japanese government regulations]] concerning vehicle engine displacement (but not exterior dimensions, as the car was 20&nbsp;mm wider than the 1,700&nbsp;mm standard), and adapted parts from the larger second-generation Aristo/GS.<ref name=gt>{{cite web |url=http://www.gtnet.co.jp/cars/cars_altezza.asp |title=Altezza トヨタ アルテッツァ 中古車総合情報 |publisher=Gtnet.co.jp |access-date=11 October 2010 |archive-date=14 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614034836/http://www.gtnet.co.jp/cars/cars_altezza.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 2.0-litre ''1G-FE'' straight-six powered AS200 (GXE10, sedan) was equipped with a four-speed automatic as standard. The 2.0-litre ''3S-GE'' straight-four-powered RS200 (SXE10, sedan) was equipped a six-speed manual transmission, while a five-speed automatic was optional. 

[[File:1999-2005 Lexus IS 200 (GXE10R) sedan 03.jpg|thumb|left|1999–2005 Lexus IS 200 sedan (GXE10)]]

The design received critical acclaim at its 1998 launch and was awarded Japan's "''[[Car of the Year Japan|Car of the Year]]''" honor for 1998–1999. A few months later, Lexus began marketing the IS 200 equivalent models in Europe.<ref name=eurotuner>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurotuner.com/featuredvehicles/24098_1998_toyota_altezza/index.html |title=Championship Contender IS 300 |last=Allison |first=Wes |work=Eurotuner |access-date=23 February 2008 |archive-date=7 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207190224/http://www.eurotuner.com/featuredvehicles/24098_1998_toyota_altezza/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The IS 200 in Europe was rated at {{convert|153|hp||abbr=on}}, with a top speed of {{convert|216|km/h||abbr=on}}, and {{convert|0|to(-)|100|km/h|abbr=on|mph}} acceleration time of 9.3 seconds.<ref>{{cite news |last=Simister |first=John |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/20/style/20iht-car20.t.html |title=The Car Column: High Thrills of the Lexus IS200 |work=The New York Times |date=20 August 1999 |access-date=11 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615152703/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/20/style/20iht-car20.t.html |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref> The styling cues of the rear lamp clusters on the first-generation models were copied by a number of after-market accessory manufacturers for applications on other vehicles.<ref name=altezzalights>{{cite news |title=Mass-market muscle |work=The Albuquerque Tribune |date=24 September 2001 |access-date=12 July 2013 |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-2003266_ITM |first=Dan |last=Mayfield |quote="Altezza" style lights...the hottest-selling taillight kit}}</ref> This iconic style of one or more internal lamp units, covered with a clear (or tinted) perspex cover made popular by Lexus, became known in many circles as 'Lexus-style' or '[[Altezza lights]]'.<ref name=altezzalights/> The taillight style became so popular, that it influenced the development of clear-covered [[LED]] taillamps that only revealed their colour when illuminated. The XE10's chief engineer was Nobuaki Katayama, while the chief test driver and test engineer was Hiromu Naruse.