eCityofStyle - Auto Style Awards 2001

Driving an open cockpit automobile comes with certain sacrifices, such as noise, practicality, and structural rigidity. All convertible owners know this and accept these trade-offs in return for open, breezy drives with sunbeams on your shoulders. Apparently, someone forgot to inform Lexus of these sacrifices.

The SC 430 blends the drop top driving excitement of a convertible with the refinement of a luxury sports coupe without the expected shortcomings of most convertibles. The SC 430 features a sophisticated, retractable hardtop that turns the coupe into a sizzling convertible in 25 seconds.

Gorgeous with the top up, the SC 430's sexy exterior announces to the world that it is a convertible at heart. To gather inspiration, the SC 430 design team toured the French Riviera, absorbing aesthetic cues from local architecture, clothing designs, and home interiors. Many of these elements are present within the SC 430 in the form of plush leather trim and Burled Walnut accents.

A 300-horspower, all-aluminum V8 engine powers the enormous 18-inch rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. The SC 430's 0-60 time of under six seconds gets equal performance marks as the top speed of 156 mph. Rounding out the luxury of the SC 430 is an impressive array of technological marvels - including run-flat tires, a DVD-based navigation system, and a pioneering climate control system.

For more information, click here.