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Lexus Unveils New Convertible.  The big news from Lexus is that the luxury brand finally will have a convertible. The SC 430 is actually a retractable hardtop closely
based on the Lexus Sport Coupe Concept car shown at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show. Bryan Bergsteinsson, Lexus group vice president and general manager, said the SC 430 would be part of
what the company is calling "the Triple Crown," three new introductions in the next year. The IS 300 and the LS 430 round out the trifecta.
The SC 430 convertible was shown in a deep burgundy red with a light beige interior. It has a fairly aggressive stance with short overhangs and a short rear deck, but the curves are smoothly sculpted,
befitting the luxury image. Styled both in Europe and Japan, SC 430's exterior stylist Sotiris Kovos is said to have found inspiration in luxury yachts on the French Riviera. "It is very important to be able to
design products that fit the overall environment and the taste of people using them," said Kovos. "We discovered that people on the Riviera show a clear preference to products and services with a high
degree of simplicity, character, sophistication and quality." Meanwhile in Japan, Satoru Kuno penned the interior, which features wood and leather rather than "unnatural forms from plastic."
A 300-horsepower aluminum double overhead cam engine, the 4.3-liter engine drives the rear wheels of the SC 430 through a five-speed automatic. Bergsteinsson said this will be the same engine that will
power the LS 430. A front and rear double-wishbone suspension complements a rigid structure that was designed as a convertible from the beginning, which Lexus says will result in a smooth ride and responsive handling.  Luxury features include a climate-control system that works with the
top down. It changes temperature and output automatically according to vehicle speed and outside temperature. In cool weather, it directs heat to the lap, and on hot days, it will cool at low speeds. The audio
system is specially designed for the SC 430 by Mark Levinson, an audio company known for making some of the finest home equipment. This home stereo heritage is acknowledged with a small door that
covers the audio controls in the center console. The stereo automatically adjusts when the roof is lowered.
The SC 430 convertible should be available in March 2001 and is expected to sell 10,000 units.
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