Good idea, Lexus, putting out a TV commercial with a rally-preped IS side-braking hard into a big ol' muddy ditch! What a great use for a sedan that costs 35 large.

Anyone know if they're really campaigning that car in real rally events? I'd love to catch one on TV!!

The IS 200/300 won't be in the WRC, and I doubt it will ever be in a rally. Besides, the powerful one doesn't have a manual, yet.

there is only one is300... not one with more power... as of yet..

Uh, the IS 300 is the powerful one. In Europe, they have an IS 200 with a six speed stick, and I think a turbo 4. If someone knows differently, please post it, 'cuz I'm not postiive.
:licker:

all they have here is the IS300 auto, but the stick is comming this year

by here i mean north america

Lexus gave the U.S. IS the same 3.0 from the GS/SC300, knowing that its consumers would expect nothing less than a nice big 6-cylinder engine for a car showing emblems from a high caliber luxury division. It cater's to the country's needs: good torque, silent running, and prestige. The Japanese always welcome spirited 4-cylinders, and the 2.0L 3S-GE Dual VVT-i is also very capable with 210 turbo-less horsepower @ 7600rpm--its a swift motor, but North America simply prefers 6 shooters.

As for the 2.0L 6-cylinder (?!) IS200 in Europe, hmm.... 0-60 in 9.3 (manual) / 11.0 (auto).... what happened to you guys? Poor Brits. At least they'll get the 3.0L GS motor as well, in the SportCross, soon enough.

Accually the 2.0L 4cyl altezza in japan has a turbo. and is more powerful then the us 3.0L the reason the japanese like smaller moters and turbos is they pay there car insurance baised on the displacment of the engine. so no one wants a massive 4.7L 4.0L even a 3.0L engine if they can make a 2.0 put out the same power. also there was a great need for a car to replace the hatchi (ae86 corrolla) becouse it gets quite pricy to keep a car past 5 years becouse of there inspection system called the shakin. and most hatchis are running around 10 years or more. so the altezza was designed as a drift car with luxury in mind sence most hard core drifters are in there 40's now.

personally im glad they sent the 3.0L over here this is the same motor as the late model supras so a twin turbo swap it not hard and been done a few times.

Originally posted by TurboJZA70
Accually the 2.0L 4cyl altezza in japan has a turbo.

I can't believe no one has responded to this yet, so I may as well. I don't know where you find your data, but the Beams 3S-GE motor is FULLY naturally aspirated. If you haven't already, check Toyota's Japanese corporate web address for the Altezza (http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/Altezza/index.html). The attachments below are from there, and display that there is no Altezza with OEM forced induction.

Show me the compressor:

Someone has been doing their homework :)

What makes the Beams 3S-GE so interesting? It seems like a logical step for Toyota to use this engine with a front-wheel-drive transmission for the Celica's next engine. THEN it can be a truly equal competitor for the RSX Type-S, both being an equal 2.0 L.

Hopefully Toyota will answer my prayers.

Sorry to break it to you, but there IS a Lexus IS200 being rallied, just not WRC.

Its being rallied in Austrailia in the Tasmania series.

http://www.lexus.com.au/targa/default.asp For more info

http://www.lexus.com.au/targa/img/machine/img_content.jpg

and a few more

http://www.lexus.com.au/targa/img/common/left12.jpg

http://www.lexus.com.au/targa/img/common/left1.jpg



Im actually trying to make a replica in RC form of this car.

here is the body ( note the paint will differ )
http://www.hpiracing.com/graphics/bodies/7346.jpg




MOmo

Oh Dear. Firstly The Altezza Did Not Rally In "the Tasmania Series" Secondly Japanese Altezzas Did Not Come With A Turbo 4. The 280t Came With A Turbo 4, The Question Is Was It A Turboed 4th Gen 3s-ge, Or Was It A 3s-gte? The 280t Was A Limited Edition Tom's Or Trd Car. Jap Altezzas Do Come With A Dual Beams 4th Gen 3s-ge. Now, The Targa Tasmania Which Neal Bates And Coral Taylor (same Guys As Raced The Wrc Corolla In The Arc) Is An Annual Road Rally. There Is A Tasmanian Rally Series But There's Not An Altezza Or Is200 In It. Next I Think The Car Raced By Bates Was Actually The 3ltr 6, But It May Have Been A Jdm 4 Cyl.
Why Bother With A Front Drive Celica? Why Not Use The 3s Engine And The Altezza Box And Go Back To Fr Like The Old School Celeicas T-18's And The Like?
I Was A Targa Official So I've Seen The Car You Were Talking About A Few Times, And I Drive An Mr2 So I Know A Bit About The Engine.

http://www.club.lextasy.com/modules/gallery/albums/album11/is4302.sized.jpg

IS430 anyone?

[IMG]
IS430 anyone?


Someone has just built a race prepped RS200 with the V8 in it here in NZ.
It was undisplay at the last Auckland Autosalon, unforunatly the owner was hiding and didn't want to say anything about the car.
However it had a full cage, seats, etc etc.
My guess is it was being prepared as a Targa car.

What makes the Beams 3S-GE so interesting? It seems like a logical step for Toyota to use this engine with a front-wheel-drive transmission for the Celica's next engine. THEN it can be a truly equal competitor for the RSX Type-S, both being an equal 2.0 L.

Hopefully Toyota will answer my prayers.

The Beams is the most technologically advanced four cylinder Toyota has at the moment. It has dual vvt-i and is based off of a racing engine pulled from the engine of one of the Toyota JGTC cars. It is probably faster than an IS300 on a track because it is lighter, has around the same power, and the weight distribution is better. You could turbo a beams 3s-ge but you'd have to lower the compression ratio first.
PLEASE GIVE NORTH AMERICA THIS ENGINE, TOYOTA!

POST #4 Nah not turb'd