Lexus Announces
Plans for First Convertible 2002 SC 430 Arrives in Spring 2001
In spring 2001 Lexus
will introduce its first convertible, the 2002 SC 430. The new
two-door luxury sport convertible will be based on the Lexus Sport
Coupe Concept car, which debuted at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show.
The new SC 430 has an elegant design and a retractable hardtop
that will transform it from a 2+2 coupe into a convertible with
the push of a button. The production model will be powered by the
new Lexus 4.3 V8 engine that will make its first U.S. appearance
in the redesigned LS 430 on sale this fall. The SC 430 engine will
produce a potent 300 horsepower.
"Many customers have told me their dream is a Lexus
convertible, and now we're happy to help make dreams come
true," said Denny Clements, Lexus group vice president and
general manager. "The SC 430 will offer buyers a premium
luxury convertible with performance, fun and style, as well as all
that comes with the Lexus ownership experience."
Elegant Design, Inside and Out
The SC 430's design will feature functional beauty with sleek
lines and intelligent packaging. Lexus designers from Europe and
Japan worked together to create the convertible. The exterior was
crafted by the company's European design center. Chief Exterior
Designer Sotiris Kovos sought design inspiration in a location
renowned for high-end luxury – the French Riviera. He spent
several weeks there observing people and products to gain insight
into truly luxurious lifestyles.
"It is very important to be able to design products that fit
the overall environment and the taste of the people using
them," said Kovos. " We discovered that people there (on
the French Riviera) show a clear preference to products and
services with a high degree of simplicity, character,
sophistication and quality."
Among the sights along the Riviera that inspired Kovos were the
many high-performance luxury yachts. The SC 430 will share an
essential trait with those yachts – all season pleasure.
Passengers on a luxury yacht can enjoy sunbathing in fair weather,
while finding security and comfort inside during inclement
weather. The retractable aluminum hardtop provides similar
versatility in the SC 430. A simple push of one button will raise
or lower the roof, while still leaving room in the trunk for a set
of golf clubs. The 2+2 layout will offer room in the back seats
for small children or extra cargo.
A long wheelbase and short overhangs will give the SC 430 a
muscular stance, highlighted by 18-inch wheels. The
forward-positioned roof will combine prominent front hood styling
and pronounced wheel arches to convey a powerful sense of forward
motion. Uncluttered sides will render a classically elegant look,
while the stylish design of the head and taillights will also
contribute to the luxurious yet sporty attitude.
While the exterior was being perfected in Europe, Satoru Kuno was
in Japan working to match the purpose and elegance of the exterior
lines with an equally emotional interior. Kuno and his team chose
to emphasize the natural beauty of leather and wood, rather than
creating unnatural forms from plastic moldings.
"I started by looking at simple materials with intrinsic
beauty – materials like natural leather and wood," said
Kuno. " These materials have unique, natural constraints on
how they can be manipulated, so rather than using plastic that can
be freely molded, I chose to work with materials that have
limits." He describes the results as "a clean-cut
feeling of luxury."
Powerful Beauty
The new rear-wheel drive SC 430 convertible will be powered by a
300-horsepower aluminum, double overhead-cam, 4.3-liter V8 engine
with Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i), coupled with
a five-speed automatic transmission. Front and rear double
wishbone independent suspension attached to the chassis will
minimize vibrations and contribute to a smooth ride.
Lexus created a purpose-built high-performance platform for the SC
430. By designing the car as a convertible from the start,
engineers optimized its structure to provide excellent rigidity
whether the retractable hardtop is raised or lowered. The
structural solidity also will allow Lexus to tune the suspension
to deliver responsive handling and smooth ride compliance at the
same time.
Given that luxury amenities are the benchmark in the luxury
category, the SC 430 will offer a multitude of convenience
features including easy-to-read analog gauges, a navigation
system, premium audio system, advanced climate control and sporty
leather seats with memory functions for driver and passenger.
Pure Luxury Amenities
At its inception, Lexus introduced new standards for
factory-installed audio systems. To raise the ante for automotive
audio again, Lexus worked with home audio experts Mark Levinson to
develop a new type of sound system for the SC 430. Nine
strategically located speakers will turn the interior into a
personal listening room that makes every seat in the car "the
best seat in the house." The steering wheel will feature
controls for essential functions of the system, and an electronic
door – similar to a home audio cabinet – will hide the sound
system controls.
The SC 430 will feature an advanced climate control system that
will allow this coupe to experience more top-down driving time
than conventional convertibles. The system will adjust airflow and
temperature automatically, differentiating between top-up and
top-down driving needs.
On hot days, the climate control system will take into account the
exterior temperature to ensure occupants stay cool when driving at
slower speeds, without overriding the cooling effect of the wind
during top-down freeway cruising. When driving in cooler weather
with the top down, the system will target the foot area, where it
forms pockets of heat, and the lap area, which immediately warms
the upper legs.
Source: Toyota
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