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2007 Lexus SC Convertible
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What’s New?
The SC 430, a two-seat, retractable hardtop/convertible, gets knee air bags for both the driver and passenger, a new uni-blade windshield wiper, as well as new exterior color and wheel design options for the 2007 model year. It also earns ultra-low-emission-vehicle certification for its 4.3-liter V-8 engine.
Overview
Lexus added a sports coupe to its lineup in 1991 with the introduction of the SC 300 and SC 400. Those were sleek coupes with front and rear seats. In 2001, Lexus discontinued those models in favor of a new SC, now with only two seats, powered only by a V-8 engine and equipped exclusively with a retractable hardtop convertible roof. The SC is a luxurious boulevard cruiser, featuring very up-level accoutrements and some exotic interior colors and wood grains. It also has a roof that opens or closes—and can fold itself beneath the trunk lid—at the touch of a button.
The SC 430 received a new front-end design for the 2006 model year, so virtually no changes were mandated for 2007, other than three new colors—Obsidian, Black Sapphire, and Starfire Pearl. A limited-production Pebble Beach SC 430 remains in production; it comes with Starfire Pearl paint, an exclusive Pimento Red leather interior, and rides on 18-inch G-Spider wheels. Powering the SC 430 is a 4.3-liter V-8 engine that pumps out 288 hp yet qualifies for ULEV emissions certification. The engine powers the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Standard equipment on the SC 430 includes front and side air bags as well as the new knee bags, anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control, and traction control. The SC 430 also has adaptive headlights that turn with the steering wheel to enhance visibility at night. Also standard are heated leather seats, wood trim, a navigation system, as well as a premium Mark Levinson audio system. The only factory options include a rear spoiler, run-flat tires, and an optional wheel design.
The Competition
The Lexus SC 430 competes in the Midsize Premium Sporty segment, which consists of seven models. Buyers in this segment look for performance, exterior styling, and quality, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider StudySM and the Escaped Shopper Study.SM
The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,SM were the Chevrolet Corvette (36,518 units sold), Porsche 911 (12,045), and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (8,462). The Lexus SC 430 sold 5,847 units in 2006, a decrease of 30.1 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Midsize Premium Sporty segment include the Cadillac XLR, Dodge Viper, and Maserati Coupe/Spyder.
The SC 430, a two-seat, retractable hardtop/convertible, gets knee air bags for both the driver and passenger, a new uni-blade windshield wiper, as well as new exterior color and wheel design options for the 2007 model year. It also earns ultra-low-emission-vehicle certification for its 4.3-liter V-8 engine.
Overview
Lexus added a sports coupe to its lineup in 1991 with the introduction of the SC 300 and SC 400. Those were sleek coupes with front and rear seats. In 2001, Lexus discontinued those models in favor of a new SC, now with only two seats, powered only by a V-8 engine and equipped exclusively with a retractable hardtop convertible roof. The SC is a luxurious boulevard cruiser, featuring very up-level accoutrements and some exotic interior colors and wood grains. It also has a roof that opens or closes—and can fold itself beneath the trunk lid—at the touch of a button.
The SC 430 received a new front-end design for the 2006 model year, so virtually no changes were mandated for 2007, other than three new colors—Obsidian, Black Sapphire, and Starfire Pearl. A limited-production Pebble Beach SC 430 remains in production; it comes with Starfire Pearl paint, an exclusive Pimento Red leather interior, and rides on 18-inch G-Spider wheels. Powering the SC 430 is a 4.3-liter V-8 engine that pumps out 288 hp yet qualifies for ULEV emissions certification. The engine powers the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Standard equipment on the SC 430 includes front and side air bags as well as the new knee bags, anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control, and traction control. The SC 430 also has adaptive headlights that turn with the steering wheel to enhance visibility at night. Also standard are heated leather seats, wood trim, a navigation system, as well as a premium Mark Levinson audio system. The only factory options include a rear spoiler, run-flat tires, and an optional wheel design.
The Competition
The Lexus SC 430 competes in the Midsize Premium Sporty segment, which consists of seven models. Buyers in this segment look for performance, exterior styling, and quality, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider StudySM and the Escaped Shopper Study.SM
The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,SM were the Chevrolet Corvette (36,518 units sold), Porsche 911 (12,045), and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (8,462). The Lexus SC 430 sold 5,847 units in 2006, a decrease of 30.1 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Midsize Premium Sporty segment include the Cadillac XLR, Dodge Viper, and Maserati Coupe/Spyder.
