GR86 serves as the basis for reborn Toyota Altezza

The Lexus IS hasn’t been offered in Australia since late 2021, with global production of the current generation set to wind down in November with no obvious plans for a direct successor.

But what if there was a cheaper, sportier replacement waiting in the wings? One that struck a chord with fans of the original Lexus IS and its humble, lairy beginnings…

Popular digital creator Theottle has mocked up exactly that; a new-generation 2026 Toyota Altezza based on the even more popular and dynamically-talented GR86 sports car.

Pitched as a four-door GR86, the imagined Altezza would seemingly retain the outbound IS’ key dimensions as a small-medium sedan and don a far less intense demeanour in line with the hypothetical switch to the GR86’s more modest 2.4-litre engine.

For reference, the IS300 featured a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, the IS300h a 2.5-litre hybrid and the flagship IS350 a 3.5-litre V6.

Drive would naturally be sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission – though a manual would be sweet – as per most small and mid-sized sport sedans and 0-100km/h would take about seven seconds.

With Toyota primed to revive the Celica soon and possibly even the MR2 as well, the notion of a new Altezza/four-dour GR86 is certainly a tempting one and far from unreasonable.

Competition for such a car would come from the Hyundai i30 Sedan N, Subaru WRX and Skoda Octavia RS, though none of these admittedly very accomplished offerings are rear-drive, largely putting the reborn Altezza in a class of one and no-doubt at the top of a lot of would-be shopping lists.

Digital images: Theottle

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