Hot Wheels Modern Classics – ’98 Toyota Altezza | Car Culture (Imported)

Description

The Toyota Altezza, launched in October 1998 for the Japanese domestic market, holds genuine significance as the vehicle sold internationally as the very first generation Lexus IS, marketed as the IS 200 in Europe and the IS 300 in North America. Built on the XE10 platform shortened from the related Toyota Progrès, the Altezza was engineered with a rear wheel drive layout and centralized weight distribution specifically to deliver sharp, communicative handling, positioning it as a direct Japanese challenger to established European luxury sports sedans rather than a typical comfort focused JDM saloon.

Power came from a choice of Toyota’s high revving 2.0 litre inline four 3S-GE BEAMS engine, producing up to 210 horsepower with either a 6 speed manual or a 5 speed automatic transmission, or a smoother 2.0 litre inline six option for buyers prioritizing refinement over outright performance. The range topping RS200 variant became a genuine enthusiast favorite thanks to its naturally aspirated, high revving character and sharp rear wheel drive dynamics, and the Altezza’s overall blend of performance and design excellence earned it Japan’s prestigious Car of the Year award for 1998-1999, cementing its place as a genuinely important and well regarded modern JDM classic.

Hot Wheels celebrates this award winning Japanese sports sedan as part of its Modern Classics range within the Car Culture series, an imported line known for its detailed, adult collector focused castings of celebrated real world vehicles. This casting captures the Altezza’s clean, athletic sedan proportions and sharp, purposeful lines at 1:64 scale, paying tribute to the genuine JDM origins of what would go on to become one of Lexus’s most important global models.

Why You Should Own It?

• Represents the Toyota Altezza, the genuine JDM origin of the first generation Lexus IS
• Winner of Japan’s 1998-1999 Car of the Year award
• Part of the Hot Wheels Car Culture Modern Classics range, an imported adult collector line
• Represents a real, historically significant rear wheel drive Japanese sports sedan
• Great pickup for Toyota, Lexus, and modern JDM performance sedan themed collections
• Durable die cast metal build with authentic Hot Wheels detailing