Lexus SC

Lexus SC

Lexus SC
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Production: 1992–present
Class: Personal luxury coupé
Similar: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Jaguar XK8

The Lexus SC series is a personal luxury coupé manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation under the Lexus brand and sold in Japan as the Toyota Soarer. The first generation, available as the Lexus SC 300 or Lexus SC 400 was in production from 1991 until July 7, 2000. A second-generation model, the Lexus SC 430, went into production in 2001. The first generation Lexus SC 300/Lexus SC 400 were assembled at Toyota's Higashifuji Technical Center in Motomatchi, Japan.

The Lexus SC is a front engine, rear-wheel drive design and was sold with either I6 or V8 engines.

First Generation (1991-2000)

Production: 1991–2000
Successor: Lexus SC430
Body style: 2-door coupé
Engine: 3.0 L 2JZ-GE I6
4.0 L 1UZ-FE V8
Transmission: four-speed automatic
Related: Toyota Soarer

The Lexus SC 300 and Lexus SC 400 were mid-sized coupes available in the United States with a 3.0 L inline 6 2JZ-GE (Lexus SC 300) or a 4.0 L V8 1UZ-FE (Lexus SC 400). In Japan, an additional engine choice was a 2.5 L twin-turbo inline 6 on the Toyota Soarer 2.5GT-T/TL. The V8 1UZ-FE motor, also used in the LS 400, was reported to have cost over US$400,000,000 in research and development. During its almost ten-year model run, the first-generation SC underwent only minor changes and facelifts.

The SC 400 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1992. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1992 through 1995.

Second Generation (2001-Present)

Production: 2001-present
Predecessor: Lexus SC400, Lexus SC300
Body style: 2-door coupé convertible
Engine: 4.3 L UZ-FE V8
Transmission: five-speed automatic
Related: Toyota Soarer

Lexus showcased its new sports convertible, the Lexus SC 430, at the Paris Motorshow in 2000, and the car entered production the following year. Power was provided by a 4.3 L 3UZ-FE V8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Lexus designers from Europe and Japan worked together to create the convertible's sleek, streamlined design. The car features a retractable aluminium hardtop, all-leather interior, and 18 in alloy wheels. It can seat four and has a base price of US$63,825.

Competitors include the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, BMW 6 Series, Jaguar XK8, and Cadillac XLR.

In 2006 the Lexus SC430 was entered in the SuperGT race series in the GT500 class (cars with approximately 500 horsepower). Extensively modified from the factory car, one of the four Lexus SC430's entered in the championship won the opening round of the race series held at Suzuka Circuit in Japan.