This press pack accompanied the UK launch of the Lexus SC430 in 2001. Some changes were made to the model during its time on sale, which can be tracked using the Timeline feature available on the SC430 archive web page. Additional assets and information relating to the SC430 may be obtained from the Lexus press office if required.
THE SC430: THE NEW LEXUS ICON
Ever since the Lexus brand was founded, one of the most asked questions to its engineers and marketeers was ‘When will you build a convertible?’
The answer had in the past, been a Lexus-like silence, as the development team worked on the apparently insuperable problem of combining Lexus refinement with wind-in-the-hair pleasure.
This development team referred to their concept as ‘The Jewel of Lexus’, as they knew that the car they were working on had to become the icon of the whole Lexus range. It had to combine the essence of the Lexus brand with unique, elegant and timeless styling.
The first hint of the SC430 was shown to the public at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, where it wowed the crowds. After that, it created a similar storm in the United States and Europe. The production model made its European debut at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show. Its ‘pièce de resistance’ is its retractable hardtop, which seamlessly folds into a storage area ahead of the main luggage compartment and transforms the Lexus SC430 from a 2+2 coupe into a convertible with the push of a button.
Equally important however, are the excellent driving dynamics ensured by 18-inch wheels, double wishbone suspension and an exceptionally rigid body structure and the highest levels of performance with refinement from its 286 DIN hp, 4.3-litre V8 engine with Variable Valve Timing – intelligent (VVT-i), coupled with a five-speed automatic transmission. The new SC430 adds passion to the Lexus reputation for quality and refinement with an elegant and curvaceous design and is set to redefine the luxury sports coupe and convertible.
The SC430 comes at a time when the Lexus range has been growing rapidly. The last quarter of 2000 marked the highly successful launch in Europe of three new models to the range. The Lexus LS430 luxury sedan, GS430 executive performance sedan and the RX300 luxury sport-utility, strengthened awareness of Lexus in Europe and increased sales by 10%, with more than 18.000 units sold.
The Lexus family grows again in 2001, with three more additions which redefine key areas of the luxury car market. Aside from the SC430, there is the new Lexus IS300 sedan that combines the compact proportions and the outstanding handling of the IS range with more power, more torque and 5-speed automatic transmission with E-shift push-button gear-change system. The Lexus IS300 SportCross introduces radical new ‘cross-over’ styling combining dynamic performance and handling, with five-door versatility.
However the new icon of the Lexus range is the SC430, which blends performance, comfort and refinement, with stunning styling to create a car that delivers the best of both worlds.
Lexus SC430 combines passion and perfection with the roof up or down
• Incorporates some of the most sophisticated automotive technology available, combined with compact, stylish and avant-garde styling.
• Retractable hard top combines coupe and convertible in one state of the art concept.
• Careful airflow management ensures highest levels of high-speed, top down comfort and stability, along with a Cd of 0.29 with hard top closed.
• Exhilarating driving experience guaranteed by powerful 286 DIN hp, 4.3 litre, 32-valve V8 engine with Variable Valve Timing - intelligent (VVT-i).
• Exceptionally rigid body structure, double wishbone-type front and rear suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and 245/40 ZR 18 tyres create optimum handling.
• Safety enhanced by high structural integrity, plus ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) , Traction Control (TRC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Brake Assist (BA), Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS) and SRS airbags.
The new Lexus SC430 Sport, the first-ever convertible model from the marque, made its European debut at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show in March. The new ‘Jewel of Lexus’ and the flagship of the Lexus range, was designed from the outset to be the world’s finest all-round luxury convertible, with an integrated all-metal retractable roof offering the ‘best of both worlds’. The SC430 combines open-air driving pleasure with Lexus standards of comfort and refinement and is expected to be a sell-out success when the first cars reach European showrooms in Summer 2001.
The SC430 combines the highest levels of performance and world-leading refinement and efficiency from its 286 DIN hp, 4.3-litre V8 engine and five-speed automatic transmission, with an elegant design and a retractable hardtop that will transform it from a 2+2 coupe into a convertible at the push of a button.
"The Lexus brand has a status as one of the best in the world, but I wanted to create a car that would bring an even higher level of prestige to Lexus" said Mr. Yasushi Nakagawa, Chief Engineer of the Lexus SC430.
"This car would not just be an addition to the Lexus line-up, but would be the finest all-round luxury convertible. It would offer cutting-edge styling, class-leading performance and customised convenience, plus a full range of superior and refined equipment, such as the folding roof, designed to further heighten driving pleasure."
Key design elements
"We were determined to make the SC430 the ‘Jewel of Lexus’, the most prestigious and exciting Lexus yet made" says Chief Engineer Nakagawa. "It will be the jewel in Lexus dealerships around the world, with an exquisite beauty, like a precious stone. The envy of all who see it."
To realise these aims, Mr. Nakagawa defined four development goals that would be met to give the SC430 its world-leading capability:
• To offer beautiful styling, whether the roof is up or down
• To integrate an all-weather, aluminium convertible roof
• To deliver class-beating performance from a powerful V8 engine
• To combine style and function by offering 2+2 seating
Superior styling
From day one of the design of Lexus SC430, equal importance was attached to both the interior and exterior styling of the new model, ensuring it is indeed the jewel of the Lexus range:
"It is a difficult task to produce a vehicle with an image of superior beauty whether the roof is up or down" said Nakagawa. "When the roof is lowered, the interior becomes part of the exterior. That is why it needs to be equally elegant and refined. Our Europe Design studio (ED2) proposed the impressive coupe shape, with a long-wheelbase, short overhangs and the aggressive 18-inch wheels placed at the four corners of the body to give a powerful beauty. It is an innovative, yet timeless form which represents both majesty and charm."
"The contrast between the powerful underbody and the compact cabin, further adds to the car’s presence," says Nakagawa. "And thanks to the power operation of the aluminium roof, this coupe of extraordinary beauty can transform into a convertible of extraordinary beauty".
Lexus designers from Europe and Japan worked together to create the design, inspired by a location renowned for high-end luxury – the French Riviera. Products such as high-performance luxury yachts were closely scrutinised to gain insight into truly luxurious lifestyles, reflected in both the avant-garde exterior and the sophisticated interior styling of the SC430.
"It is very important to be able to design products that fit the overall environment and the taste of the people using them" said Chief Engineer Nakagawa. "We discovered that people on the French Riviera show a clear preference to products and services with a high degree of simplicity, character, sophistication and quality."
The front of the Lexus SC430 is designed to create a smooth-flowing frontal mask with a feeling of forward projection. The low set front grille and projector headlight form, combined with turn signal lights in an impressive single structure, creates a feeling of strength. This is further reinforced by innovative positioning of the lamp units to add distinctiveness and elegance.
At the rear of the car, the intention was to create a voluminous feel, combining both avant-garde and traditional luxury styling elements. The rear combination lights, in the same style as the front of the car, are positioned high on the rear quarters to create a powerful, yet traditional image similar to many coachbuilt luxury convertibles of the past. More modern elements include two large chrome-plated baffles in the dual exhausts and reversing lights set low in the rear bumper to produce both a feeling of stability and a sporty look. Typical of Lexus’ attention to detail is that when the roof is open, a clean-cut package tray and integral wind deflector create a clean, sporty and uncluttered image.
"Once the exterior design was completed, I asked my styling team to pay special attention to the interior" said Nakagawa. "When the top is down, the interior is highly visible so I wanted the luxurious and sporty theme to continue inside the car."
Designs using moulded plastics were rejected in favour of utilising natural forms and materials such as wood and leather. As with the exterior styling, the design team sought expertise from outside of the automobile industry to learn more about traditional craftsmanship and techniques. This included spending time with the craftsmen at the famous Yamaha music instrument factory to learn more of their special timber moulding techniques, used in forming pianos, violins and guitars.
The philosophy was that natural materials have unique, natural constraints on how they can be manipulated; so rather than using plastic that can be freely moulded, the use of materials that have limits creates a more natural, clean-cut feeling of luxury. Ironically, such is the quality of finishing of some of the interior woodwork, that it can be mistakenly assumed to be synthetic materials.
The use of real wood has even been extended to the cup holders, navigation unit and audio control, all of which blend perfectly with the surrounding interior styling. A choice of birds-eye maple or walnut match the surrounding interior colours.
"The wood and leather are integrated into a cabin that is spacious, yet cosy, as in a living room" says Nakagawa. "The use of wooden panelling helps to construct a genuine world of leather and wood. It helps to create an opulence that can be found in no other vehicle of its type."
The SC430’s stylish interior offers a multitude of convenience features. Easy-to-read analogue gauges, an optional navigation system, a premium audio system which can be upgraded to a genuine Mark Levinson unit and an advanced climate control that allows the occupants to enjoy comfortable open-top driving in the widest possible range of outside temperatures.
The sculpted trim flows into the dash, maintaining the feeling of integrity and quality, with instrument clusters carefully designed to complement the overall luxurious atmosphere. The Lexus SC430 maintains the traditional ergonomic layout of analogue-type instrumentation for ease of use. This is complemented by a digital display which functions as an interface for the trip computer, and gives access to information regarding fuel consumption, driving range and average speed.
The front seats feature power adjustment with memory functions for instantly resetting favourite positions, including mirror and steering adjustments. Additional adjustments for the front seats include optional seat heaters which have variable control.
The standard combination-wood/leather steering wheel also features power adjustment for tilt and reach. When the key is removed, the steering wheel automatically retracts to facilitate ingress and egress. As soon as the key is inserted again, the built-in memory function returns the steering wheel to its pre-set position.
The interior of the Lexus SC430 is further enhanced by other small touches including the metallic instrument cluster finish, which achieves a fusion of technology and style.
‘Open-mindedness’
The all-weather, retractable metal convertible roof is without doubt the most significant feature in both the style and design of the SC430. The ground-breaking feature naturally presented a number of engineering challenges, but Chief Engineer Nakagawa felt it was vital to apply the latest technology to open-air cruising. He jokingly calls this philosophy ‘Open-mindedness’.
"In this new century, the need to correspond to changes in the environment and safety will greatly change the automobile, but it is important that with these changes, we do not forget the essential joy and emotions experienced in driving" says Nakagawa. "We believe, that in response to this new era, that we had to develop a luxury vehicle in an entirely personalised, open-minded way, in which the feeling of enjoying the open air can be experienced."
"The 1989 Soarer Aero Cabin featured one of the world’s first electronically operated metal-top targa roofs" says Nakagawa. "Unfortunately the design of the car did not allow for a fully open top, but I always wondered if I would have the chance to totally remove the roof of a car. This was my opportunity. When the Lexus SC430 was visualised, we thought of no other option than providing it with an all-weather type, metal top. We considered it to be the only way to combine Lexus comfort and quietness with the open-top concept."
With a single touch of a button on the instrument panel of the SC430, the metal top is electronically activated, folding into the front of the luggage compartment to transform the coupe into a convertible in about 25 seconds. Safety is ensured as the power hard-top responds only as long as the button is pressed. If the driver’s hand is removed it automatically stops.
A lamp indicates when the roof is being activated and a buzzer also sounds to indicate the start and end of roof operations. When the roof is down, it disappears totally into the rear bodywork, aided by the ingenious movement of the roof compartment door and a 4-sectional package tray.
There are 9 points in the roof opening sequence:
1. Fully closed. Driver activates hardtop control switch.
2. Luggage compartment front is unlocked and the side windows automatically open.
3. The front of the trunk lid opens.
4. Roof begins to lift and fold rearwards.
5. Package tray behind seats opens.
6. Roof folds into storage compartment.
7. Package tray folds back into place to leave clean appearance.
8. Luggage compartment closes.
9. Fully open. Driver enjoys the sunshine.
On the move with the roof down, the SC430 continues to maintain the customary standards of Lexus refinement and comfort, thanks to the use of computer generated ‘wind-wrap’ analysis to carefully control the airflow around and inside the passenger compartment. An air deflector placed between the rear seat headrests assists in this and further ensures comfort during high-speed, roof-down cruising by minimising the windflow around the occupants’ head and shoulder area.
In addition to the manufacturer's own wind tunnel, the Maibara wind tunnel which was also used for the development of the Shinkansen Bullet Train, was utilised because of its very low background noise which allowed Lexus to concentrate on the reduction of wind noise as much as possible. Further flow analysis was performed by computer simulation to create a design which not only enables comfortable open-top driving, but with the retractable hardtop closed, also achieves a Cd (Coefficient of Drag) of 0,29 with the rear spoiler fitted.
In addition to achieving superior airflow characteristics over the visible body surfaces, careful tuning of the underbody aerodynamics of the SC430 helps its performance. The installation of specially shaped covers at various parts of the underfloor allows the active airflow speed to increase from front to rear. This reduces lift, adds to high-speed stability and contributes to the resulting low Cd. Finally, spats have been added in front of all four wheels and to the rear suspension, to minimise the airflow being disturbed by the wheel-arches and the rear suspension lay-out.
A perfect interior climate, roof up or down.
The Lexus SC430 features one of the world’s most advanced climate control systems that allows occupants to enjoy more top-down driving time than conventional convertibles. The system adjusts airflow and temperature automatically, differentiating between top-up and top-down driving needs.
The air conditioning system features two new lap jets which ensures a perfect temperature at all times. For open cruising in low temperatures, the lap jets that are located on the centre console blow warm air into the lower section of the cabin, to keep the legs and laps of the occupants warm.
When driving with the top down on hot days, the system automatically adjusts the fan speed and temperature, in order to avoid warmer air reaching passengers. The fan speed is regulated depending on the vehicle speed. Control is effected in the range 40 to 80km/h to compensate for the difference of wind flow.