Lexus SC 430 Continues to Raise the Bar for Luxury Convertibles

· New 18-Inch Six-Spoke Wheels

· Equipped with iPod®/USB Connectivity, Streaming Audio

· Lexus Navigation System and Mark Levinson® Premium Audio System Standard

Lexus adds interior technology and exterior enhancements to the 2010 SC 430, the pioneer of the retractable hardtop in the prestige luxury segment. To build on the driving experience, the 2010 SC is now equipped with an updated Lexus Navigation System and Mark Levinson® Premium Audio System. The enhanced audio package now features iPod®/USB connectivity, auxiliary audio input, Bluetooth® hands free phone and music streaming capabilities, and an available XM® satellite radio receiver (complimentary 90-day trial subscription). On the exterior, the 2010 SC is now outfitted with 18-inch six-spoke wheels with a dark finish, side mirrors with integrated puddle lamps, and Costa Azul Mica is a newly available exterior color.

Engine/Transmission/Drivetrain/Performance

The rear-wheel-drive SC 430 is powered by an aluminum double-overhead cam (DOHC) 4.3-liter V8 engine that produces 288 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of peak torque. Power is channeled through a six-speed automatic transmission, enabling the SC 430 to accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds.

The SC 430's V8 is the epitome of Lexus smoothness and graceful response. Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) enhances torque over a broad speed range. The Intuitive Powertrain Control works with the Electronic Throttle Control to help smooth out acceleration from a standing start. The SC 430 meets Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II (ULEV II) certification.

The six-speed automatic transmission employs Shift Logic Control to respond to road grade and acceleration/deceleration activity, holding gears or downshifting on hills to help provide optimal engine power or a braking effect. A manual sequential-shift feature allows the driver to enjoy a more involved driving experience when desired.

Chassis/Body/Suspension/Tires/Brakes

Engineered as a convertible from the start, the SC 430's structure provides outstanding strength whether the retractable hardtop is up or down. The rigid structure allowed Lexus to tune the front and rear double-wishbone independent suspension to help deliver both responsive handling and its signature smooth ride.

The 53/47 weight distribution helps deliver optimal balance for confident steering response and impressive agility, aided by standard 18-inch six-spoke wheels with 245/40R18 Z-rated tires. All-season or summer run-flat tires are available as an option.

Safety/Security Features

The Lexus SC 430 matches its performance capability with the brand's renowned attention to safety and security. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) includes front airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags. A front-passenger-seat weight detection sensor helps determine whether the passenger airbag should deploy. Front-knee airbags help to provide further overall occupant protection in the SC 430.

An array of dynamic electronic features help contribute to safe, precise handling in the SC 430: a four-sensor, four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); Brake Assist (BA) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control (TRAC). EBD monitors all four wheels during braking and varies brake pressure according to the load on each wheel.

VSC helps control lateral traction while cornering on slippery or dry road surfaces by using a combination of throttle intervention and applying individual wheel braking to help control any discrepancy between where the driver is steering and where the vehicle is heading. Integrated with VSC, TRAC is designed to help limit rear-wheel spin on slippery road surfaces. BA is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking, and if the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to engage ABS, it applies increased braking power until pedal pressure is released.

The SC 430 was among the first Lexus models to offer the advanced Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) that helps to enhance nighttime visibility in turns and curves. In the SC 430, a central controller calculates the optimum lighting direction based on input from vehicle speed and steering angle and swivels the right and left headlights independently. A self-leveling feature automatically levels the lights depending on road conditions. An AFS on/off switch allows the driver to disengage the system at any time. Other SC 430 safety and visibility features include daytime-running lights, fog lamps and projector-type High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with auto levelers.

Luxury/Comfort/Convenience

The Lexus SC 430 is so luxuriously equipped, that there are no optional extras offered for the interior. Front occupants enjoy the comfort of 10-way, power-adjustable heated seats. Reflecting the brand's meticulous attention to convenience, the steering wheel automatically tilts away when the ignition is turned off to make exiting and entry easier, then returns to its memory position when the car is started again.

The SC 430's advanced climate-control system is specifically designed for a convertible environment. The system adjusts airflow and temperature automatically, differentiating between top-up and top-down driving needs and taking into account the outside temperature to help ensure occupant comfort.

Like all Lexus models, the SC 430 offers advanced technology that enhances the driving and ownership experience, yet is easy to use. The updated standard Lexus Navigation System offers Bluetooth phonebook download. Also featured is a voice-command feature that allows hands-free use and provides easy-to-understand graphics and phone-number-based address recognition. SC receives a new central wide-format color display for 2010. The console offers a split-screen option and also adjusts seven degrees up or down to help minimize sun glare when the top is down.

XM NavTraffic® and XM NavWeather™ services are also available (complimentary 90-day trial subscription). XM NavTraffic informs the driver of current traffic conditions with real-time traffic displays. When traffic problems are detected the navigation system alerts the driver so that the route can be adjusted. XM NavWeather provides near real-time weather conditions as well as spoken and nav-screen forecasts, both based on official National Weather Service data.

The 2010 SC 430 comes equipped as standard with the updated Mark Levinson Premium Audio System. Like the climate control system, the SC 430's Mark Levinson system is configured to self-optimize performance for top-up or top-down driving. Designed by one of the audio field's legendary innovative brands, the SC 430's system uses a seven-channel DSP 240-watt amplifier and nine strategically located speakers to turn the car's interior into a private concert hall. System equalization automatically adjusts when the roof is lowered to compensate for the changed acoustics and ambient noise levels, and it returns to its original levels when the roof is raised. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio System now features iPod/USB connectivity, auxiliary audio input, Bluetooth hands free phone and music streaming capabilities. An XM satellite radio receiver is also available and includes a complimentary 90-day trial subscription when equipped.

Exterior Design

The Lexus SC 430 brings classic luxury, performance and high technology together in an elegantly styled hardtop convertible. With the push of a button, the retractable hardtop transforms the SC 430 from a sleek coupe into an elegant convertible in 25 seconds.

Narrow and precise body gaps, a Lexus hallmark, accentuate the SC 430's sleek, elegant lines. Nine exterior colors are offered, with extensive use of anti-chipping paint on lower body panels. Good design continues underneath the SC 430, where four underbody covers (engine, floor, front and rear) enhance aerodynamic performance.

Sound damping material inside rear wheel wells, under the floor, rocker moldings and retractable hardtop contribute to low noise levels in the SC 430. Puddle lamps are now integrated into the side mirrors and the only factory options for the SC 430 are a rear spoiler and run-flat tires.

Interior Design

The SC 430's ultra-luxurious interior, with its plush combination of natural materials including leather and wood trim, took inspiration from high-end, custom-made yachts. Semi-aniline leather trims not only the seats but also the door armrests, console cover, and front seat-belt guides. This hand-stitched leather trim is available in three colors, including black, Camel and Ecru.

Genuine wood trim is used liberally throughout the SC 430 interior, including the center console, doors and instrument panel, plus a matching wood-trim shift knob and a wood-trim cover panel for the dual front cup holders. A dark brown wood color called Espresso Birds-eye Maple is paired with the Camel color leather-trim interior. Walnut wood trim is used with the Ecru and black leather-trim interiors.

Electrically powered, wood-trimmed access doors conceal both the audio system head unit and the standard navigation system. The sporty instrument-gauge panel is complemented by the same steering-wheel design used in the GS sedans. This luxurious wood and leather-trimmed wheel features a power tilt-telescope adjustment along with integrated cruise control and audio switches.

Warranty

All new Lexus vehicles come with a 48-month/50,000-mile basic limited warranty with roadside assistance for 48-months/unlimited miles. Powertrain and restraint system coverage is provided for 72 months/70,000 miles. Corrosion perforation protection is covered for 72 months, regardless of mileage.

by Lexus

Eager to bask in the success of the Lexus debut a year prior, Toyota began to begin work on a mid-size Lexus coupe that would compete with rivaling luxury coupes of other marques such as Acura and Mercedes-Benz. A premium 2-door coupe from Toyota's luxury division, Lexus, the Lexus SC was introduced on June 1, 1991, as a 1992 model. With seating for up to four passengers, the SC had a front engine and rear-wheel drive design.

No authentic luxury coupes were in existence at the time for Toyota. Choosing to use the Japanese second generation Toyota Soarer as the model upon which to base the new model, the main problem lay in ridding the new luxury coupe of the outdated and 'boxy' look. With the target aimed at the American market, the coupe project was turned over to the Calty Design Research center in California.

Using duracluster molding shapes to create the body of the coupe, the design team took a revolutionary approach by working 3-dimensionally rather than the traditional 2-D sketch method. Basing the design of the coupe on 'emotion and feeling' (as described by design chiefs Denis Campbell and Erwin Luihe), the new Lexus Coupe design was a far cry from the old practice of linear aesthetics.

With a revolutionary design, the new coupe lacked nearly any straight edges, and was instead built on curvature. The resulting factor was a drag coefficient of only 0.31, a great aerodynamic feat at the time. In comparison to other vehicles during its production, critics hailed the new Lexus coupe as a distinctive design that was monumental in the development of following automotive designs.

The SC 400 carried a 4.0-liter V8 1UZ-FE along with a 4-speed automatic transmission, while the SC 300, introduced in June of 1992, had an inline 6-cylinder engine. This engine was reputed at costing over $400,000,000 in both research and development. Both SC variations had the 2+2 notchback body, though the front-end styling was different. The SC 300 came with much fewer standard features and had a 3.0-liter engine inline 6 2JZ-GE that developed 224 horsepower and came with a 5-speed manual shift. Standard features were antilock all-disc brakes and a driver-side airbag.

For the SC 400, the original 1991-1992 engines were rated at 225 hp. The 400's 1UZ-FE engine design was modified to 260 hp from 250 hp in 1996. Both the SC 300 and 400 were upgraded with VVT-I in 1998, increasing the ratings to 290 hp for the SC 400, and 225hp for the SC 300.

In 1992 the Lexus SC 400 was named Motor Trend Import Car of the year. For 1992 through 1998, the SC also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list. First-generation Lexus SC coupes were assembled at Toyota's Higashifuji Technical Center in Motomatchi, Japan.

The original first-generation SC, largely due to its advanced design, continued to thrive in production until July 7th of 2000. In comparison to other vehicles during the 1990's that are redesigned every 3-4 years, it was considered quite a feat for the coupe to survive virtually unchanged over nine years. Minor changes and updates were made, these included new tail lighting along with a modified spoiler design. In 1997 a new front grille was also added to increase the airflow into the engine.

The 2001 the second generation model, the SC 430, a hardtop convertible design went into production. Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 2000, the newest Coupe was met with instant acclaim. The SC 430 was powered by a 4.3 L 3UZ-FE V8 engine with VVTi joined with a five-speed automatic transmission. This was an identical engine to what was found in the UCF30 Lexus LS. The second generation coupe was capable of reaching 0-60 in 6 seconds, due to the SC 430's V8 producing 280 hp and 430 of torque. While the first generation SC was mainly styled in California, the majority of the styling for the second generation was conceived in European design studios.

Designers and engineers from both Europe and Japan working simultaneously to create the sleek, streamlined design found on the flashy new convertible. With a base U.S. price of $63,825, the SC 430 features a retractable aluminum hardtop, all-leather interior, and 18 in. alloy wheels.

The third-generation Toyota Soarer was produced in Japan and featured the same body design and various other similarities with the first-generation SC. The Soarer showcased a separate lineup of different powertrains and vehicle configurations. The Lexus marque was introduced in Japan in 2005, and the fourth-generation Soarer, which was amazingly similar to the SC 430, was superseded by the Japanese version of its Lexus counterpart.

Lexus released the 'Pebble Beach Edition' in 2004, a limited-production model of the highly popular SC. Featuring a very unique exterior and interior color combination that changes from year to year, the special edition SC is produced in partnership with the Pebble Beach Company. Only 400 units of the special edition were produced in '04, '05, and '06.

Today all production of the SC 430 takes place at the Kanji (Kanto Jidosha) assembly plant in Japan. The SC 430 is marketed and sold in Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America.

by Jessican Donaldson