Its roof tucks neatly away, it will also take your breath away.
Created for those in pursuit of sheer indulgence, the SC 430 is the more fancy-free member of the Lexus team. In a matter of moments, the hardtop retracts at the touch of a button, converting the elegance of a coupe into the escapism of a convertible. Silky smooth ride dynamics are complemented by the refined shifting performance of the 6-speed automatic transmission. Handling technologies include Vehicle Stability Control for enhanced cornering and Traction Control for sure-footed acceleration. All of which results in an open top convertible that opens the way to a more exhilarating driving experience.
Exterior
The top retracts in seconds
Simply touch a button and in a few moments the lightweight but remarkably strong aluminium top retracts. Lexus was one of the first innovators of the retractable hardtop in the premium luxury car segment, something that has been mimicked by many other car makers since.
Slip into something more aerodynamic
Designed in a boutique Lexus studio on the French Riviera, the styling does more than capture your attention with its adventurous curves. Its aerodynamic form slips along breathlessly with low drag, ensuring Lexus renowned standards of quietness may still be savoured with the top down.
Chic 18" alloy wheels
The SC 430 is fitted with six spoke 18" alloys in a dark premium metallic paint, exclusively designed for the SC 430*. They enhance the body's sleek lines, while low profile 245/40 ZR18 tyres optimise handling.
Attention to detail with puddle lamps
It's the thoughtful touches that distinguish the SC 430 from other vehicles. Puddle lamps on the exterior mirrors provide illumination to the bottom of the both the driver's and passenger's doors to assist with entry and exit to the vehicle at night*.
Intuitive rain sensing wipers
You'll be able to keep your mind focused on your driving as rain sensing wipers activate. When in 'Auto Mode', the wipers activate the moment the sensor detects the first drops of rain on the windscreen.
The clarity of rain dispersing glass
For a clearer vision on rainy days, a water repellent coating on the front side windows accelerates dispersion of water droplets as you drive.
Heated exterior mirrors
To help your rear visibility on wet days, the external mirrors are heated.They activate whenever the rear de-mister is turned on.
* From August 2009 production only.
Interior
Feel snugly supported in the ultra soft leather accented interior
Within the natural leather accented interior, sculpted seats hold you during spirited motoring. Power adjustment puts your perfect seating position right at your fingertips, for total comfort. For added simplicity, two memory settings allow the driver and front passenger's preferred seat positions to be restored in an instant.
Climate control that knows when the roof is down
You'll remain comfortably cocooned within the luxury interior, as an intelligent climate control system automatically redirects air flow to where it is needed most. It's even smart enough to know when the top is up or down, so it can intuitively compensate for frosty breezes above you or the summer's baking sun.
Perhaps the finest audio ever in a convertible
Immerse yourself in music even with the top down, with a system by renowned audiophile designer Mark Levinson. Lauded by many as the one of the finest ever in a convertible, the system incorporates an Automatic Sound Leveliser which fine tunes audio quality to compensate for changing audio dynamics. Its MP3/WMA compatible six-disc in-dash CD changer plays 240 watts of meticulously crafted sound through nine speakers.
The warmth of woodgrain-look
At the touch of a button, the audio system is revealed behind woodgrain-look panelling. Elegant woodgrain-look also enhances the steering wheel, doors, dash and console.
Satellite Navigation guidance
You'll be directed efficiently to your destination by a DVD-based Satellite Navigation system*. Visual maps and spoken commands provide directions, making paper maps a thing of the past.
Inbuilt Bluetooth® keeps you in touch
Stay in touch wherever you journey. Simply register your Bluetooth®** compatible mobile with the inbuilt system for hands free communication. Call functions are right at your fingertips via the Electro Multi Vision (EMV) screen, or for ultimate convenience, a voice recognition call function allows phone calls to be made by saying one of the 20 words that can be registered on the multi-display.
*Current mapping database encompasses major capital and primary national road networks as well as offering some coverage in regional areas.
**The Bluetooth® word mark is owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Bluetooth® will only operate with telephones enabled with compatible Bluetooth® wireless technology (HFP (Hands Free Profile) v1.0 and OPP (Object Push Profile) v1.1 international standards). OPP functionality only works on satellite navigation equipment.
Performance
The adrenalin of a 4.3 litre V8
Rekindle your love of driving as the 4.3 litre Quad Cam V8 with 32 valves accelerates you elegantly ahead. This all-aluminium engine delivers 210kW of refined power, enhanced by Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) for advanced engine performance at all engine speeds. An Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS) optimises engine breathing, boosting both low to mid-range torque and top-end power.
Intelligent six-speed transmission
Feel the rush as the advanced technology six-speed Super Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT) fine tunes shift timing for seamless shifting, with optimum driveability and fuel economy.
Enhanced dampers for comfort and control
As you negotiate winding coastal roads, high performance mono-tube type dampers ensure excellent responsiveness for remarkable road grip, plus improved comfort.
The precision of a rigid chassis
You'll feel a greater sense of responsiveness and crisp handling. Often convertible cars suffer from chassis flexing due to their lack of a fixed roof. So Lexus designers incorporated large cross sectional rocker panels and engineered the structural members to ensure the body provides a stable platform for the suspension. Braces beneath the floor at the front and rear achieve a significant increase in torsional stiffness, for precise handling.
Safety
Dual side and front airbag protection
Drive with the confidence of knowing you've a Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) incorporating dual front and dual side airbags, as well as knee airbags for the driver and front passenger to help protect the lower limbs.
Intelligent braking that thinks ahead
Feel the stopping performance of the Lexus Anti–lock Braking System (ABS). It incorporates Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) which balances braking effort to each wheel under different load and cornering situations. In addition, Brake Assist (BA) supplements your braking effort during emergency stopping.
Seatbelts with pretensioners to hold you
You've more peace of mind with front seatbelts incorporating pretensioners that are designed to instantly take up the slack in the event of a severe frontal impact. Force limiters prevent excessive pressure on the occupant's torso. All four seats have three point belts.
Headlamps that look around corners
After dark, SC 430 has multi–refelctor halogen high–beam headlamps and projector–type High Intensity Discharge low–beam lamps. The low beam lamps in each headlight are redirected around corners, to better illuminate your intended driving line. The Adaptive Front–lighting System (AFS) responds to inputs from the steering angle sensor and the front wheel speed sensors, and activates at speeds above 10km/h. The headlamps are able to swivel, so that the right hand side headlamp has a range of 15° movement, while the left headlamp has a 5° range. The AFS helps ensure improved illumination for greater safety at night.
The confidence of advanced handling technologies
Should you encounter a loss of traction, SC 430 can help you out of difficult situations even before you realise you're in them. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) helps maintain your chosen path on tight bends. It senses lateral tyre slippage and automatically corrects the vehicle to help minimise loss of traction on corners. While accelerating in wet, icy or otherwise slippery conditions, Traction Control helps rein in wheelspin for a greater sense of control.
Theft deterrent system
Your key is the only one that will start your Lexus. Its engine immobiliser system incorporates a rolling key code that re–sets every time the alarm is armed and disarmed. With any other key code, the vehicle is rendered immobile.
You're surrounded by a strong cabin
Special bracing behind the front wheels and in the rear cabin structure helps to protect cabin integrity in front and rear impacts. To further preserve cabin integrity, the front and rear sections are designed to crumple at a controlled rate. In order to help safeguard occupants in a side–on collision, side impact beams in the doors are designed to bear the brunt of severe impact.
Convenient automatic door lock system
For added convenience and peace of mind, the SC 430 is equipped with an automatic door lock system. When vehicle speed is higher than approximately 20km/h driving, the automatic door lock device is activated, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the drive.