The first-generation Lexus IS has always been a bit of a sporty driver’s fetish on the European market and now that the car has aged, and the prices have dropped, we are seeing more and more of them used as budget project cars.
The latest example of this kind comes in the video below, which brings us an IS motivated by a twin-turbocharged Toyota Supra heart.
The vehicle was recently taken to a car event, with the driver showing an addiction for burnouts. Time and time again, the guy roasted the rear tires, all with the aim of pleasing the crowd. And, of course, the car spotters, which is how we ended up with this piece of footage.
Let’s dig into the technical details of this tire-melting story, shall we?
While we don’t know the exact tech details of this car, going through Toyota’s recent history can help us try to identify the hardware that lies under the hood of this Lexus.
We are talking about a first-generation Lexus IS, a vehicle that was factory-equipped with the 2JZ straight six also powering the Toyota Supra. Nevertheless, that is the GE naturally aspirated version of the famous Toyota engine, which develops a between 215 and 230 PS.
But since we’re talking about a twin-turbo setup here, we could be dealing with the 2JZ-GTE. This twin-turbo version of the mill can offer up to 325 hp in factory stock form. As a result, we expect this to be the engine swap that makes this Lexus so special, as well as burnout-rated.
Come to think about it, the burnouts the Lexus pulls look like they come from a car that has just this kind of output, so we don’t expect too many custom bits to have found their way into the engine mounted on this Lexus.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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