With the new low-cost BTC Touring rules encouraging private teams to build their own cars, Cheshire-based ABG Motorsport decided to construct a Lexus IS200 for 2001.

[3] Converted from a roadcar into a racing machine, the car missed the first meeting at Brands Hatch, but appeared at Thruxton for the second event of the season [4] and made an instant impression with its all-black paintjob.

Initially driven by Kurt Luby, he stepped down after round 12, and was replaced by Brazilian Thomas Erdos, originally contracted to drive a second IS200, but construction of a second chassis was never undertaken.

Autocar magazine journalist Steve Sutcliffe drove in the final two rounds at Brands Hatch,[5] but struggled in the wet conditions, finishing 9th in the sprint race.

[6] The sole chassis was withdrawn at the end of 2001 as ABG Motorsport withdrew from the BTCC, although Super 2000-specification IS200s did appear in 2005 and 2006.