Review: Lexus Z40.I SC 430 (2001-05)

Overview

Released in October 2001, the Lexus Z40 Series I (Z40.I) SC 430 was a two-door convertible with a retractable hardtop. Manufactured in Higashi Fuji, Japan, the rear-wheel drive Z40.I SC 430 was powered by a 4.3-litre V8 petrol engine that was mated to a five-speed A650E automatic transmission (with adaptive gear shifting).

3UZ-FE engine

The 4.3-litre 3UZ-FE V8 engine had an aluminium cylinder block and head, sequential fuel injection, double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank), four valves per cylinder, variable inlet camshaft timing (‘VVTi’), an acoustically controlled variable induction system, dual knock control and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. Although premium 98 RON unleaded petrol was recommended, the engine could also operate on 91 RON and 95 RON unleaded petrol.

The Z40.I SC 430 could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds.

Dimensions and body

The SC 430 was 4515 mm long, 1825 mm wide, 1370 mm tall and had a 2620 mm long wheelbase; kerb weight was 1740 kg and, with its roof in position, the drag coefficient was 0.29 Cd. Furthermore, the retractable aluminium roof could open or close in less than twenty-five seconds though only when the vehicle was stationary.

Suspension

The SC 430 had double wishbone front suspension with high-mount upper arms and multi-link double-wishbone rear suspension, both with coil springs, gas-filled dampers and ball-jointed type stabiliser bars.

Lexus Z40.I SC 430 specifications
	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
SC 430	4.3-litre petrol V8 (3UZ-FE)	5sp auto	210 kW at 5600 rpm	419 Nm at 3500 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the SC 430 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelt pretensioners with load limiters.

Brakes

The SC 430 had 296 mm by 32 mm ventilated front brake discs with floating twin-piston calipers and 307 mm by 12 mm solid rear discs with fixed two-piston calipers.

Features: SC 430

Standard features for the SC 430 included 18-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 ZR18 Z-rated tyres, a 440 watt Mark Levinson sound system with nine speakers and a six-stack CD player, DVD-based satellite navigation with a seven-inch touchscreen, climate control air conditioning, Bader leather upholstery, power adjustable and heated front seats, front fog lamps, high intensity discharge (HID) projector headlights with washers, automatic (i.e. light-sensitive) headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, an automatically dipping passenger-side mirror on reverse, a power adjustable steering wheel, scuff plates, a trip computer, wind deflector, an alarm and immobiliser.

September 2004: SC 430 update

From September 2004, the SC 430 was fitted with Bluetooth connectivity; other changes at this time included revised suspension with monotube dampers and an updated satellite navigation system.

Review: Lexus Z40.II SC 430 (2005-10)