Toyota Motor Corporation
The Lexus SC series is a personal luxury coupé sold by Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. The SC features a front engine, rear-wheel drive design and seating for up to four passengers. The first generation SC debuted as the V8 -powered SC 400 in 1991, and the I6 -powered SC 300 was added in 1992. Both first generation models were produced until 2000. The second generation model, the SC 430, went into production in 2001. The SC 430 features a hardtop convertible design and a V8 engine . The first generation SC was largely styled in California , and the second generation SC was mainly conceived at design studios in Europe . In Japan, the related third generation Toyota Soarer shared the body design and multiple components with the first generation SC, but featured a separate lineup of vehicle configurations and different powertrains. The fourth generation Soarer, largely identical to the SC 430, was superseded by its Lexus counterpart in Japan when the Lexus marque debuted there in 2005. At present, the SC is the sole coupe in the Lexus lineup and carries a U.S. base price of $65,455.
Lexus showcased its new sports convertible, the SC 430, at the Paris Motor Show in 2000, and the car entered production the following year. Power was provided by a 4.3 L 3UZ-FE V8 engine with variable valve timing (VVTi) mated to a five-speed automatic transmission . This engine was the same model as that found in the UCF30 Lexus LS . The SC 430's V8 could produce 280 hp (208kw) and 430 Nm of torque, allowing the coupe to go from 0-60 in around 6 seconds.
Lexus designers from Europe and Japan worked together to create the convertible's sleek, streamlined design. Inspiration for the coupe's design came from the south of France. The car features a retractable aluminium hardtop , all-leather interior, and 18 in alloy wheels. It can technically seat four, but rear seat space is extremely tight. Standard luxury features include Espresso Walnut or Bird's Eye Maple wood trim, a Mark Levinson premium sound system, DVD-based navigation system, and headlamp washers. Initial base price in the U.S. was $63,825.
In 2004, Lexus unveiled the Lexus SC Pebble Beach Edition, a limited-production model of the SC. The special edition SC is produced in partnership with the Pebble Beach Company, and features a unique exterior and interior color combination which changes with each model year. For model years 2004, 2005, and 2006, production of the Pebble Beach edition was limited to 400 units. Each Lexus SC Pebble Beach edition coupe exhibits special badging (featuring the Lone Cypress logo) on the front fenders, center console, and floor mats. For the 2006 model, a rear spoiler and spider alloy wheels are also included.
Reviewers from Car and Driver magazine praised the SC 430 for 2002 as "an unqualified success," calling it "comfortable, fast, smooth, and quiet" with "all of the virtues expected in a patrician roadster." [3] By contrast, Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson rubbished the SC 430 as "clunky," faulting the standard tyre setup, and gave it his informal "annual wooden spoon" label for 2003.
In 2004 and 2005, J.D. Power and Associates ' Initial Quality Survey awarded the SC 430 as the highest ranked premium luxury vehicle. [4] Kelley Blue Book gave the SC 430 its Best to Hold Value Award in 2002.
Currently, production of the SC 430 occurs at the Kanji (Kanto Jidosha) assembly site in Japan. [7]At present, the SC 430 is sold in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. Competitors include the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class , Cadillac XLR , and Jaguar XK, and BMW 6-series .
[ edit ] Motorsport
In 2006 the SC 430 was entered in the ( Super GT ) race series in the GT500 class (cars with approximately 500 horsepower ). Extensively modified from the factory car, the engine used is a modified version of the SC 430's 3UZ-FE V8 that was also used in the Toyota Supra race car from previous years.
The new SC 430 based race cars were immediately competitive with former GT500 champion Juichi Wakisaka and no.2 driver Andre Lotterer driving the Open Interface TOM's SC to victory at the opening round at Suzuka giving the SC 430 its first victory on its debut race. Juichi Wakisaka and Andre Lotterer also won the GT500 class championship during the same year.
| Second generation (SC 430) | |
| Production | 2001–present |
| Predecessor | Lexus SC 400, Lexus SC 300 |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupé convertible |
| Engine(s) | 4.3 L UZ-FE V8 |
| Transmission(s) | six-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 103.10 in. |
| Length | 177.80 in. |
| Width | 72.00 in. |
| Height | 53.10 in. |
| Related | Toyota Soarer |
High-quality technological specifications have made Lexus SC430 a luxurious car with a Difference.
Technical Compilation of the latest versions of Lexus SC430:
- Fuel Capacity (gal/L) - 19.8/75
- Seating Capacity: 4
- Locomotive Type:
- 4.3 L UZ-FE V8 Size
- Length (in/mm) : 178.5/4,533
- Width (in/mm) : 72.0/1,825
- Height (in/mm) : 53.1/1,348
- Wheel Base(in/mm): 103.1/2,620
Each edition of Lexus SC430 weight varies from one another along with their mechanical configurations and with interior amenities.
The weight range starts from:
- 3,840/1,741 ((lb/kg)) Transmission System:
- six-speed automatic
19 mpg city/25 mpg highway
All Lexus SC430 versions are outfitted with several safety features for the protection of occupants and for the fellow vehicle riders as well. A few of the significant security features :
- Running Lights for daytime
- Front Head Restraints
- Tire-Pressure monitor system
- Six Air bags for the Driver and the front passenger
- Door with Side Beams
- Immobilizer System and Wave Key
- Dynamic Stability Control
- Anti-lock brake system with Electronic Brake Facility
- Run-Flat Tires system
- Seatbelts with Three-point facility
