Lexus SC
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{{Infobox Automobile
| image =
| boxcolor = darkgreen
| name = Lexus SC
| manufacturer = Toyota Motor Corporation
| production = 1992–present
| class = Personal luxury coupé
| platform =
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| engine =
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| related =
| similar = Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Jaguar XK8
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| image = Image:SC400.JPG
| name = First generation
| production = 1991–2000
| platform =
| body_style = 2-door coupé
| engine = 3.0 L 2JZ-GE I6
4.0 L 1UZ-FE V8
| transmission = four-speed automatic
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| predecessor =
| successor = Lexus SC430
| aka =
| related = Toyota Soarer
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
| image = Image:SC430belle.JPG
| name = Second generation
| production = 2001–present
| platform =
| body_style = 2-door coupé convertible
| engine = 4.3 L UZ-FE V8
| transmission = five-speed automatic
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| predecessor = Lexus SC400, Lexus SC300
| successor =
| aka =
| related = Toyota Soarer
}}
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 SC 300 or SC 400 was in production from 1991 until July 7, 2000. A second-generation model, the SC 430, went into production in 2001. The first generation SC 300/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)
The SC 300 and SC 400 were mid-sized coupes available in the United States with a 3.0 L inline 6 2JZ-GE (SC 300) or a 4.0 L V8 1UZ-FE (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)
Lexus showcased its new sports convertible, the 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 SC430 was entered in the (Super GT) race series in the GT500 class (cars with approximately 500 horsepower). Extensively modified from the factory car, one of the four SC430's entered in the championship won the opening round of the race series held at Suzuka Circuit in Japan.