The Aristo was launched in October 1991, with two versions offered: the 3.0V with the 276 hp (205 kW) twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE engine, and the 3.0Q with 226 hp (169 kW) 2JZ-GE engine. The styling was the responsibility of the famous Italian styling house Ital Design. A third model joined the Aristo lineup in 1992. Called the 4.0Zi-Four, it came with the 1UZ-FE engine found in the Toyota Celsior/Lexus LS and the Toyota Crown Majesta. Four-wheel drive was also standard on this car which bore the chassis code, UZS143. Production of the Lexus GS 300 (JZS147) began on February 22, 1993 at the Tahara, Japan assembly plant. The only engine available for the export markets was the 2JZ-GE.