Editing Lexus SC (section)

== {{anchor|Z30|SC 300|SC 400}} First generation (Z30; 1991) ==
{{Infobox automobile
| name = First generation (Z30)
| image = 1992 Lexus SC400 in Royal Jade Pearl, Front Right, 05-21-2022.jpg
| caption = 1992 Lexus SC 400
| aka = [[Toyota Soarer (Z30)|Toyota Soarer]]
| production = 21 April 1991 – 7 July 2000<ref name="75 Years of Toyota, Motomachi plant">{{cite web |url=http://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/data/automotive_business/production/production/japan/general_status/motomachi.html |title=Motomachi Plant |publisher=Toyota Motor Corporation |year=2012 |access-date=3 July 2014}}</ref>
| model_years = 1992–2000|
| assembly = {{unbulleted list
  | '''Japan''':
  | [[Susono, Shizuoka]] ([[Higashi Fuji plant]]);<ref name = "75 Years of Toyota, Higashi Fuji plant">{{cite web |url=http://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/data/automotive_business/production/production/japan/general_status/toyota_motor_east_japan.html |title=Affiliates (Toyota wholly-owned subsidiaries)-Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc. |publisher=Toyota Motor Corporation |year=2012 |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref>
  | [[Toyota, Aichi]] ([[Motomachi plant]])<ref name="75 Years of Toyota, Motomachi plant"/>
  }}
| designer = Erwin Lui and Denis Campbell (1988–1989)
| body_style = 2-door [[coupé]]
| related = [[Toyota Supra (A80)]]
| engine = {{unbulleted list
  | 3.0 L ''[[Toyota JZ engine#2JZ|2JZ-GE]]'' [[Straight-six engine|I6]] (SC 300)
  | 4.0 L ''[[Toyota UZ engine#1UZ-FE|1UZ-FE]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]] (SC 400)
  }}
| transmission = {{unbulleted list
  | 4-speed [[Toyota A transmission#A340E .2830-40LE.29|A340E]] (1992-00 SC 300, 1992-97 SC 400) / [[Toyota A transmission#A341E .2830-41LE.29|A341E]] (1992-99 SC 400 GT-L) [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
  | 5-speed [[Toyota A transmission#A650E|A650E]] [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] (1998-00 SC 400)
  | 5-speed [[Toyota W transmission#W58|W58]] [[Manual transmission|manual]] (1992–97 SC 300)
  }}
| wheelbase = {{convert|105.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| length = {{unbulleted list
  | {{convert|191.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1992–97)
  | {{convert|192.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1998-00)
  }}
| width = {{unbulleted list
  | {{convert|70.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1992–97)
  | {{convert|70.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1998-00)
  }}
| height = {{unbulleted list
  | {{convert|52.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1992–94 SC 300)
  | {{convert|52.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1995–97 SC 300 & 1992–97 SC 400)
  | {{convert|53.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1998-00 SC 300/400)
  }}
| weight = {{unbulleted list
  | {{convert|3485|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} (1992 SC 300 manual)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/1992/1992SCspecs.pdf |title=1992 Lexus SC Specifications |publisher=Lexus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212224640/http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/1992/1992SCspecs.pdf |archive-date=12 February 2012}}</ref>
  | {{convert|3505|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} (1992 SC 300 automatic)
  | {{convert|3604|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} (1992 SC 400)
  }}
}}

=== 1991–2000 ===
In the early 1990s,<ref name=newsfront>{{cite magazine |last=McCosh |first=Dan |date=June 1991 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J3sUn8WV22MC&pg=PA31 |title=Automotive Newsfront |magazine=[[Popular Mechanics]] |page=31 |access-date=9 October 2014}}</ref> following the début of [[Lexus]], automotive press reports indicated a forthcoming [[Full-size]] Lexus [[coupé]] to compete with other luxury GT coupés of other marques, including the [[Mercedes-Benz CL]], [[Acura Legend#Second generation (1990–1995)|Acura Legend]] coupe and later the [[Acura CL#First generation (1996–1999)|Acura CL]], [[Mazda Eunos Cosmo]], [[Buick Riviera#Eighth generation (1995–1999)|Buick Riviera]], [[Cadillac Eldorado#Twelfth generation (1992–2002)|Cadillac Eldorado]], [[Lincoln Mark VIII]], [[Jaguar XJS#Facelift (1991–1996)|Jaguar XJS]], [[Bentley Continental R|Bentley Continental]], [[Maserati Shamal]]/[[Maserati Ghibli#Ghibli (AM336)|Ghibli]], [[Ferrari 456]] and [[BMW 8 Series (E31)|BMW 8 Series]] coupe. At that point, Toyota's luxury coupé was the Soarer. A coupe would complement the successful Lexus flagship model, the V8-powered, rear-wheel drive LS 400 sedan.<ref name=newsfront/> The coupé would target the American market,<ref name=ac/> and the development effort for its exterior design was given to the [[Calty Design Research]] center in California in 1987.<ref name=newsfront/>

[[File:1996 Lexus SC 300 3.0L rear 6.13.18.jpg|thumb|left|1994–1996 Lexus SC 300]]

The American Calty design team took an unusual approach to designing the car,<ref>{{YouTube | id = -a4-odN2oIU | title = Lexus SC 400 dealer introduction video, May 1991}}&nbsp;''Starting 3 minutes into the clip, this video contains archive footage by Calty team members discussing how the car was designed.''</ref> using plaster molding shapes to study body forms,<ref name=newsfront/> and working in three rather than two dimensions.<ref name=newsfront/> As described by design chiefs Denis Campbell and Erwin Lui,<ref name=newsfront/> the result was a car that was based on "emotion and feeling" rather than linear aesthetics. The resulting design possessed few straight edges and produced a [[Automobile drag coefficients|drag coefficient]] of {{Cd|0.31}}.<ref name=newsfront/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/USD325548 |title=Patent USD325548 – Automobile |work=Google Patents |date=26 December 1989 |access-date=16 April 2012}}</ref> The production design concept by Lui was approved at the beginning of 1989, and Lui was sent back to Japan for four months to assist in completion of the production design.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/USD318032 |title=Patent USD318032 – Automobile |work=Google Patents |date=20 February 1990 |access-date=16 April 2012}}</ref> According to automotive journalist Bill Russ, the SC design was considered influential among automotive designs of the time.<ref name=ac>{{cite web |url=http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/wk9420.html |title=1995 Lexus SC 400 Luxury Sports Coupe |publisher=Autochannel |access-date=4 December 2010}}</ref> A distinctive features was the articulating door hinges: when the doors opened, the hinges moved out and forward, allowing easier entry and exit in tight spaces.

Production of the Soarer started in April 1991 at the [[Motomachi plant]] in [[Toyota, Aichi]],<ref name = "75 Years of Toyota, Motomachi plant"/> with the Lexus SC produced alongside the Soarer at a second [[Higashi Fuji plant]] at [[Susono, Shizuoka]].<ref name = "75 Years of Toyota, Higashi Fuji plant"/> Motomachi-sourced cars lasted until April 1997.<ref name = "75 Years of Toyota, Motomachi plant"/> The Lexus SC platform was used to develop Toyota's next generation Supra, both vehicles were manufactured in the same plant.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/toyota-soarer-z10-z20-z30/ |title=High-Tech High Roller: 1981–2001 Toyota Soarer Z10, Z20, and Z30 |first=Aaron |last=Severson |website=Ate Up With Motor |location=US |date=25 May 2014 |access-date=19 November 2018}}</ref> From 1990-1996 the previously installed [[Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension|TEMS]] active suspension system was replaced with [[Toyota Active Control Suspension]] as an optional upgrade.

The '''SC 400''' débuted on 1 June 1991 in the United States as a 1992 model. The SC 400's 4.0&nbsp;L [[V8 engine|V8]] ''[[Toyota UZ engine#1UZ-FE|1UZ-FE]]'', the same engine as used in the LS 400, was reported to have cost over {{USD|400,000,000}} in research and development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intellexual.net/faq.html |title=comprehensive Lexus SC 300/400 FAQ |publisher=Intellexual.net |date=27 October 2004 |access-date=4 December 2010}}</ref> The engine sits behind the front axles, which makes it a front mid engine rear wheel drive vehicle. The SC 400 was honored as the ''[[Motor Trend]]'' [[Car of the Year|Import Car of the Year]] for 1992. It also made ''[[Car and Driver]]'' magazine's [[Car and Driver Ten Best|Ten Best list]] from 1992 through 1996.

[[File:Lexus SC 400 interior 01.jpg|thumb|left|Interior]]

In July 1992, the '''SC 300''', a smaller-engined version of the SC 400, premiered in the United States. The SC 300 was equipped with a 3.0&nbsp;L [[inline 6]] ''[[Toyota JZ engine#2JZ|2JZ-GE]]''.<ref name= SCfairy>{{cite magazine |last=Griffin |first=Larry |date=May 1992 |title=Lexus SC 300: Three premiered . Five speeds. The Tooth Fairy delivers. |magazine=[[Car & Driver]] |pages=89–90}}</ref> Lexus' [[traction control system]], TRAC, was offered as an option.<ref name=SCfairy/>

The first-generation SC lasted in production until 7 July 2000, over nine years,<ref name=spy>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xWxtpLGP6LwC&pg=PA38 |title=Detroit Spy Report |work=Popular Mechanics |date=February 2000 |publisher= Hearst Magazines|access-date=9 October 2014}}</ref> with only minor exterior changes, including revised tail lighting and a modified [[Spoiler (automotive)|spoiler]] as part of the mid-cycle refresh. A front [[Grille (car)|grille]] was added in 1996, along with a redesigned front bumper, side skirts and rocker panels. The SC 400 produced {{convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}/{{convert|260|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} from 1991 to 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/1902/1995-lexus-sc400.jsp |title=1995 Lexus SC400 |publisher=AutoTrader.com |date=5 May 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211070133/http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/1902/1995-lexus-sc400.jsp |archive-date= 11 December 2014}}</ref> The original 1991–1997 engines for the ''2JZ-GE''-powered SC 300 were rated at {{Convert|225|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}/{{convert|210|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}}. The output of the SC 300 was 5 horsepower more than the equivalent engine used in the Toyota Supra.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/tuners/112_9503_performance_trends/lexus_sc_300.html |title=Lexus SC 300- Auto News |magazine=Motor Trend |access-date=4 December 2010 |archive-date=20 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020081518/http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/tuners/112_9503_performance_trends/lexus_sc_300.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1996, the SC 400's ''1UZ-FE'' engine design was upgraded to {{convert|260|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} from {{convert|250|hp|kW|0| abbr=on}}. These engines were coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission on both the SC 300 and SC 400 models. A 5-speed [[manual transmission]] was only offered on the SC 300 from its debut until 1997.

By the end of the decade, North American SC sales began dwindling due to the lack of significant design updates since the car's introduction and marketplace changes that led to loss of interest in coupes.

[[File:SC400.jpg|thumb|left|1998 Lexus SC 400]]

In 1997 (1998 model year), both the SC 300 and 400 were upgraded with VVT-i and thus the ratings were raised to {{convert|290|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}/{{convert|300|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque for the SC 400 and {{Convert|225|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}/{{convert|220|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque for the SC 300. Tests conducted on the new engines showed an acceleration for the SC 400 for years 1992–1995 of 0–60&nbsp;mph in 6.9 seconds, years 1996–1997 in 6.7 seconds, and years 1998–2000 in 6.1 seconds. For the SC 300 an acceleration 0–60&nbsp;mph in 6.8 seconds with the 5-speed manual and 7.2 seconds with the 4-speed automatic for all years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2000-lexus-sc-300-400-1.htm |title=2000 Lexus SC 300/400 Road Test |work=Consumer Guide |access-date=19 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110922090318/http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2000-lexus-sc-300-400-1.htm |archive-date=22 September 2011}}</ref> This 1997 upgrade included the replacement of the four-speed automatic on the SC 400 to a five-speed unit. With the replacement of the five-speed unit those models also got a new differential with a final drive of 3.27 improving both fuel economy and top speed.

Sales of the automatic transmission SC 300 and SC 400 models formed the vast majority of models purchased.<ref name=know>{{cite web |url=http://www.lexus.com/lexus/query.do?col=lexus&qt=SC+art&x=0&y=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022165821/http://www.lexus.com/lexus/query.do?col=lexus&qt=SC+art&x=0&y=0 |archive-date=22 October 2007 |title=Lexus Knowledge Base |access-date=8 April 2007 |format=PDF |publisher=Lexus |year=2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Lexus SC 400 was never officially sold in the [[United Kingdom|British Isles]], but many examples found their way across the Atlantic as personal imports.<ref name=SCgreyUK>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/buying+guide/used+car+buying+guide/1173/4 |title=4car Buying Guide Lexus SC 400 |publisher=Channel 4 |date=16 August 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429185806/http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/buying%2Bguide/used%2Bcar%2Bbuying%2Bguide/1173/4 |archive-date=29 April 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

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