Lexus builds only one version of the SC 430 ($62,025). It comes loaded with sophisticated safety and performance hardware, and laced with luxurious leather, wood and chrome. Also included is a Mark Levinson audio system with nine custom speakers, designed to deliver full-bodied audiophile sound whether the top is up or down, along with the Lexus Navigation System.
The double-overhead-cam 4.3-liter all-aluminum V8 produces 300 horsepower and mates to a five-speed automatic transmission with intuitive electronic controls.
The option list is decidedly short:
Lexus Link ($1,250, including one year of service) combines GPS satellite and cellular phone technology to connect the SC 430 driver with experienced Lexus advisors, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Lexus Link services include roadside assistance, stolen vehicle tracking, and remote door unlocking. The system also automatically dispatches emergency services if the airbags are deployed.
A thin rear spoiler ($440) reduces the car's slick drag coefficient of 0.31 to an even slicker 0.30. Run-flat tires ($400) eliminate the need for a spare tire and thus increase space in the trunk.
Standard safety equipment includes front and side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock (ABS), traction control (TRAC), vehicle skid control (VSC), and even a tire pressure warning system (TPWS).