Kjell Magne, a 24-year-old mechanic, drives an old-school D1GP-inspired Lexus IS200. He first encountered the classic Lexus platform as a child while playing Need For Speed Underground 2, and later in Need For Speed Most Wanted, and he was hooked.
Years later, he began his hunt for the perfect IS200 project car. It took some time, but he eventually found the car you see here — located about 4.5 hours away from his house.
Understandably, Kjell Magne wasn’t keen on a stock IS200 with its original 1G-FE engine, which barely churns out 155 horsepower on a good day. This car already had a turbo kit installed and to make things even better, it had a manual transmission. Let’s just say it didn’t take long for Kjell Magne to convince himself to buy his childhood dream car.
Kjell Magne has always been a fan of Japanese car culture and drifting, especially the drifting from the early 2000s. There’s something special about cars adorned with bold graphics and drivers pushing their limits in every corner. Back then, these cars had around 300–500 horsepower, unlike today’s sideways machines that boast 1000+ hp.
You don’t need a degree in design to see that this era inspired much of Kjell Magne’s Lexus IS200 — not just in terms of styling but also the performance philosophy. Scratches and dings? No problem. They just prove the car is driven how it’s supposed to.
The IS200’s original dark blue color has been swapped for a striking pink wrap, but there’s no need to question anyone’s masculinity here — YouTuber Sammit and the entire Yashio Factory team drive pink cars, so it’s totally acceptable in the drift community. One thing’s for sure: this car turns heads.
The styling includes a BN Sports replica body kit, reminiscent of early 2000s D1GP cars. At the rear, Kjell opted for a subtle ducktail spoiler instead of a massive GT wing — a decision I fully support, as it looks much cleaner.
When he bought the car, it came with red-tinted, smoked taillights. While they suited the car when it was blue, they looked out of place with the vibrant pink color. To fix this, Kjell purchased a set of original taillights.
Unfortunately, they were in worse shape than expected, with wrinkled chrome inside. Ever the optimist, Kjell dismantled the lights and converted them into 100% clear taillights, which complemented the drift-inspired look far better.
The car’s decals are another highlight. To contrast the pink wrap, there’s a chrome tribal-style pattern, various sponsor logos in white, and the word “Obnoxious” prominently displayed down the side. The vinyl design and installation were handled by a friend who runs the wrapping company Consept. The first design was finalized in early 2022, with tweaks made before installation in summer 2023.
If I have one critique, it’s that the decals aren’t mirrored on one side — a common feature of drift cars from that era. But hey, that’s a matter of personal preference.
Up front, the fenders have been aggressively rolled, almost to the breaking point, to provide extra clearance for extreme steering angles when the car is sent sideways on the track.
Tucked under the arches are a set of 18” wheels originally from a Tesla Model 3. Yes, you read that right. These AERO wheels (the ones with optional covers) were a bargain. Plus, they resemble the BBS SR winter wheels he already owns.
Inside, Kjell’s IS200 is far from factory spec. The cloth interior has been swapped for half-leather, the headliner is now black, various parts have been reupholstered, and an OEM armrest has been retrofitted. The gear knob has been replaced with a compact Tomei knob, and the gear shift boot and steering wheel cover have been upgraded with black leather and red stitching.
As mentioned, the turbocharged engine was a major selling point for Kjell. The original 1G-FE engine, with its underwhelming 155 ponies, wasn’t going to cut it.
The turbocharged setup made around 200 horses when he bought the car. While that’s an improvement, Kjell knew from the start that he wanted to swap in a Toyota JZ engine — he just hadn’t decided between the 1JZ and 2JZ.
Ultimately, he went with a 1JZ-GTE VVTi engine, as forums suggested it would be relatively straightforward. Unfortunately, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. The wiring harness turned out to be a nightmare, and most of the information he found online was, to put it mildly, incorrect.
It took help from friends, a coworker, and even a guy in Eastern Europe to get the 1JZ engine running, but it’s now fully operational. Kjell says he plans to keep the engine stock for as long as possible (yeah, I’ve heard that one before). He’s not chasing extreme power, but rather smooth power delivery for track drifting and just enough performance to make the car fun on twisty roads.
Whether this becomes Norway’s first road-legal Lexus IS200 with a 1JZ-GTE VVTi mill remains to be seen, but it’s undoubtedly a rare sight.
To keep the car planted in corners, Kjell installed Tein Advance Z coilovers, which not only improve handling but also give the car a more aggressive stance. They’re also TÜV-approved, so he doesn’t have to worry about being pulled over by the law. The brakes have also been lightly upgraded, with an LS400 setup up front to ensure control at higher speeds.
Kjell Magne wants to thank everyone who’s helped with the project. He loves the attention the car attracts from kids and adults alike, even if it’s not always positive, and has a few plans for the car’s immediate future. First, he’ll replace the damaged fiberglass BN front bumper with a more durable one from KBD. After that, he plans to get the 1JZ engine officially approved before taking a well-earned break to enjoy the car.
Once everything’s ready, you might spot the car at events like Oslo Motor Show and Gatebil. One place you’re guaranteed to see it is at the annual meet organized by Obnoxious. You can also follow Kjell on Instagram to keep up with the Lexus’s progress.
