Lexus SC

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Lexus SC
2008 Lexus SC 430
Manufacturer Lexus
Parent company Toyota Motor Corporation
Production 1991–present
Assembly Motomatchi, Japan
Susono, Shizuoka, Japan
Class Personal luxury coupé
Layout FR layout

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, on which the SC is originally based, 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 The fourth generation Soarer, largely identical to the SC 430, was superseded by its Lexus counterpart in Japan when the Lexus marque debuted there in 2005.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 and a UK base price of £54880 (approx $112,000).

Contents

[edit] First generation (1991-2000)

First generation (SC 300, SC 400)
1993 Lexus SC 400
Also called Toyota Soarer
Production 1991–2000
Successor Lexus SC 430
Body style(s) 2-door coupé
Engine(s) 3.0 L 2JZ-GE I6
4.0 L 1UZ-FE V8
Transmission(s) 4-speed automatic
5-speed automatic (1998-00 SC 400)
5-speed manual (1992-97 SC 300)
Wheelbase 105.9 in (2690 mm)
Length 191.3 in (4859 mm) (1992-97)
192.5 in (4890 mm) (1998-00)
Width 70.5 in (1791 mm) (1992-97)
70.9 in (1801 mm) (1998-00)
Height 52.4 in (1331 mm) (1992-94 SC 300)
52.6 in (1336 mm) (1995-97 SC 300 & 1992-97 SC 400)
53.2 in (1351 mm) (1998-00 SC 300/400)
Curb weight 3506 lb (1590 kg) (1992 SC 300 manual)
3505 lb (1590 kg) (1992 SC 300 automatic)
3604 lb (1635 kg) (1992 SC 400)
Fuel capacity 20.6 US gallons (78.0 L/17.2 imp gal)
Related Toyota Soarer

In the summer of 1990, following the successful debut of Lexus a year earlier, Toyota decided that work would begin on a mid-size Lexus coupe to compete with the luxury coupes of other marques like Mercedes-Benz and Acura. At that point, Toyota had no genuine luxury coupes in existence. Initially, the existing Japanese second generation Toyota Soarer was selected to serve as the basis for the new Lexus coupe, much like the Lexus ES 250 was based on the Toyota Camry. However, the Soarer's design at the time was considered "boxy"-looking and outdated. Since the coupe was going to be targeted towards the American market, the project was handed over to the Calty Design Research center in California.

The American Calty design team took a revolutionary approach to designing the car, using duracluster molding shapes to design the body, and working 3-dimensionally instead of the traditional 2-D sketch approach. As described by design chiefs Denis Campbell and Erwin Lui, the result was a car that was based on "emotion and feeling" rather than linear aesthetics. The design of the coupe was considered revolutionary, possessing almost no straight edges and built on curvature. As a result, it produced a drag coefficient of just 0.31, which was considered very aerodynamic at the time. Some critics found the design of the new Lexus coupe to be very distinctive compared to other cars at the time; later, the SC design was considered influential in the development of automotive designs that followed.[1]

The SC 400 debuted on June 1, 1991 in the United States as a 1992 model. The SC 400's 4.0 L V8 1UZ-FE, the same engine as used in the LS 400, was reported to have cost over $400,000,000 in research and development.[2] In July of 1992, the SC 300, a smaller engined brother to the SC 400, premiered in the United States. The SC 300 was equipped with a 3.0 L inline 6 2JZ-GE.

1992-96 Lexus SC 400.
1992-96 Lexus SC 400.

The SC 400 was honored as the Motor Trend Import Car of the Year for 1992. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1992 through 1998. Owing to its advanced design, the first generation SC lasted in production until July 7, 2000, a span of over 9 years. This production cycle was quite long compared to the average car of the 1990s, which was being redesigned every 3-4 years to keep up with the changing styling of automobiles. Even with the SC's long production cycle, only minor exterior changes were made. New tail lighting and a modified spoiler design was part of the mid-cycle vehicle refresh. A front grille was added in 1997, along with a redesigned front bumper, side skirts and rocker panels.

1998 Lexus SC 400.
1998 Lexus SC 400.

The original 1991-92 engines were rated at 225 hp (168 kW)/210 lb·ft (285 N·m) for the 2JZ-GE-powered SC 300 and 250 hp (186 kW)/260 lb·ft (353 N·m) for the SC 400. In 1996, the SC 400's 1UZ-FE engine design was upgraded to 260 hp (194 kW) from 250 hp (186 kW). In 1998, both the SC 300 and 400 were upgraded with VVT-i and thus the ratings were raised to 290 hp (216 kW)/300 lb·ft (407 N·m) of torque for the SC 400 and 225 hp (168 kW)/220 lb·ft (298 N·m) of torque for the SC 300. Tests conducted on the new engines showed an acceleration for the SC 400 of 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds, and for the SC 300 an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds.[3][4] By contrast, the original 1992 SC 400 had a manufacturer's stated 0-60 time of 6.9 seconds, fractionally longer than the updated version.[5]

The first generation SC offered a 4-speed automatic transmission on both the SC 300 and SC 400 models until 1998, when the SC 400 received an upgraded 5-speed automatic. A 5-speed manual transmission was only offered on the SC 300 from its debut until 1997. A majority of the SC 300's are automatic transmission. Finding a manual transmission SC 300 is extremely rare and in some cases, may cost more than their automatic counterpart when buying a used car. Sales of the automatic transmission SC 300 and SC 400 models formed the majority of models purchased.[5]

The Lexus SC 400 was never officially sold in the British Isles, but many examples found their way across the Atlantic as personal imports.

The first generation SC coupes were assembled at Toyota's Higashifuji Technical Center in Motomatchi, Japan.

[edit] Second generation (2002-present)

Second generation (SC 430)
2001 Lexus SC 430
Also called Toyota Soarer (-05)
Production 2002–present
Predecessor Lexus SC 400, Lexus SC 300
Body style(s) 2-door coupé convertible
Engine(s) 4.3 L 3UZ-FE V8
Transmission(s) 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase 103.1 in (2619 mm)
Length 177.8 in (4516 mm) (2002-05)
178.5 in (4534 mm) (2006-present)
Width 72.0 in (1829 mm)
Height 53.1 in (1349 mm)
Related Toyota Soarer

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 288 hp (214.76 kW) and 430 N·m (317 ft·lbf) 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 inch aluminium 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."[6] 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.

2001-2005 Lexus SC 430 with closed hardtop.
2001-2005 Lexus SC 430 with closed hardtop.

In 2004 and 2005, J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Survey awarded the SC 430 as the highest ranked premium luxury vehicle.[7][8] Kelley Blue Book gave the SC 430 its Best to Hold Value Award in 2002.[9] In late 2005, the SC 430 premiered along with the Lexus marque in Japan.

Unlike its predecessor, the SC 430 was officially imported to the British Isles, as the old SC 400 had been a popular personal import.[citation needed]

Currently, production of the SC 430 occurs at the Kanji (Kanto Jidosha) assembly site in Japan.[10] At present, the SC 430 is sold in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. Competitors include the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Cadillac XLR, Jaguar XK, and BMW 6-series.

[edit] Motorsport

Lexus SC 430 Bandai Super GT race car.
Lexus SC 430 Bandai Super GT race car.

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.[11] Juichi Wakisaka and Andre Lotterer also won the GT500 class championship during the same year. In 2007, Lexus SC fully replaces Supras in the Toyota side, a Zent Cerumo SC 430 driven by Yuji Tachikawa was victorious in the GT500 opening round race.[12]

In 2008, a Zent Cerumo SC 430 driven by Yuji Tachikawa and Richard Lyons won the Fuji 500 race, round 3 of the Autobacs Super GT at Fuji Speedway.[13]

[edit] Future

Currently, Lexus has no plans to change the SC430. Speculation is a possible redesign in 2010 pending the sales of the upcoming IS-Convertible.[citation needed]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Autochannel: 1995 Lexus SC 400 Luxury Sports Coupe
  2. ^ Intellexual.net - comprehensive Lexus SC 300/400 FAQ
  3. ^ Autos.com SC 400 specs
  4. ^ Autos.com SC 300 specs
  5. ^ a b Lexus Knowledge Base (PDF). Lexus (2007). Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
  6. ^ Winfield, Barry. The Lexus SC goes on a Mediterranean diet and slims down to a convertible. Car & Driver, Vol. 46, Issue 8, February 2001
  7. ^ J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Initial Quality Study
  8. ^ Toyota, GM Garner Most Awards in 2005 Initial Quality Study
  9. ^ CARFAX - Kelley Blue Book-Models to Best Hold Its Value
  10. ^ Lexus Manufacturing
  11. ^ TOM'S SC430 (Wakisaka-Lotterer) Clinch Season Opener. SuperGT.net (2006-03-19). Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
  12. ^ Super GT Rd. 1 Suzuka Race Results. 247Motoring.com (2007-03-22). Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
  13. ^ [1]

[edit] External links

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Lexus – a division of Toyota Motor Corp. – road vehicle timeline
Type 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Compact IS IS
IS-F
Mid-size ES ES ES ES ES
GS GS GS
Full-size LS LS LS LS
Crossover RX RX
RX Hybrid
SUV GX
LX LX LX
Coupe SC SC