KansasCity.com's view

The first Lexus convertible has big shoes to fill. It was designed to be the “jewel of Lexus,” according to Denny Clements, vice president and general manager of Lexus, the American luxury division of Toyota. The SC 430’s job is to elevate the brand and move Lexus one notch higher in the pecking order of automakers.

It officially went on sale this week at a base price of $58,435. The only options are run-flat tires, navigation system and rear spoiler. Fully loaded it still doesn’t top $62,000. While that seems like a staggering figure to most of us, it is at least $10,000 less than the Jaguar XK8 convertible and more than $20,000 less than a Mercedes-Benz SL 500.

Annual production is about 12,000 units, and more than 9,500 have already been spoken for. If you don’t already have your name on the list, you may have to wait a year to get one.

The 4.3-liter, DOHC V-8 is the same one used in the LS 430 and GS 430. It cranks out 300 whipped-cream-smooth horsepower and can scoot to 60 miles per hour in 5.9 seconds. The five-speed automatic transmission lacks a manual-shift feature because it would prevent this engine from meeting Ultra Low Emission Vehicle status.

This retractable hardtop convertible charts a new course for Lexus. It squares off against luminaries such as the Jaguar XK8, Mercedes-Benz CLK 430 and the Mercedes-Benz SL 500. It does so with state-of-the-art creature comforts, world-class styling and attention to detail.

Styling is the first thing that captures your attention. Wherever I drove it, on the streets of Phoenix as well as Kansas City, heads swiveled and eyebrows went up. Lexus says some of its lines were inspired by the yachts of the French Riviera, and that can be seen in the way character lines run from front to rear alongside the cabin. While it’s clear that some proportions are similar to the Audi TT, the SC 430 has a thicker waist and a more tapered tail. Not everyone will like the look, but all are sure to notice it. The SC 430’s hard top disappears completely into the trunk in 25 seconds. Because a convertible was planned from the outset, the body structure has strengthening pieces throughout. A testament to its structural integrity is the way it drives the same with the top up or down. A minor amount of shake is transmitted through the steering wheel.

On the road, the SC 430 is more outspoken than previous models. It grips the road with a firmer hand than any previous Lexus, all the better to enhance the driving experience. Standard 18-inch wheels ride fractionally smoother than the optional run-flat ones, but run-flats free up badly needed trunk space.

Driving character has been given priority over being a four-wheeled isolation chamber, yet it still cossets occupants with uncommon smoothness and lack of road noise. The SC 430 is more of a grand touring car than a sports car, perfect for when you want to throw a duffel bag into the trunk and head out to Colorado for a week of mounta in driving.

The cabin is as posh as a five-star hotel. Leather is sumptuous and wood abundant. Every movable panel on the dash and console opens as if it was moving in slow motion. Even the cupholder is graceful.

The Mark Levinson stereo system and optional navigation screen reside behind wooden doors to better hide them from prying eyes. Mark Levinson’s excellent nine-speaker stereo system automatically adjusts the sound to compensate for the top being up or down.

The DVD-based navigation system has maps for the entire country. The LCD screen tilts to compensate for varied lighting conditions.

The front seats are great places from which to enjoy the SC 430’s posh driving environment. The back seat, however, is essentially useless unless used as a place for your luggage or briefcase. Legroom is non-existent. When the top is down it cuts into the already-small trunk space so severely that you will be glad to have the small space behind the front seat.

Th runk is quite tiny, and putting down the top takes almost all of the space. Eliminating the space-saver spare tire by ordering the run-flat tires, a $400 option, frees up some room.

Price The base price of our test car was $58,435. Its only option was the rear spoiler, which, along with freight, brought the sticker price to $59,420.

Warranty Four years or 50,000 miles.

To get in touch with Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tstrongman@kc.rr.com.

{Point:}At last Lexus has a convertible, yet a retractable hard top turns it into a cozy coupe when you’ve had your fill of fresh-air motoring. A 300-horsepower V-8 and a firmer suspension move it from a luxury isolation chamber to a grand touring two-seater.

{Counterpoint:}Forget the back seat. It is barely large enough for a small dog, young child or a duffel bag. Trunk space, already small, is severely restricted by the space-saver spare tire. With roughly three-fourths of the first year’s production already sold, getting one will be hard.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 4.3-liter, DOHC V-8
Transmission: automatic Rear-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 103.1 inches
Curb weight: 3,840 lbs.
Base price: $58,435
As driven: $59,420
Mpg rating: 18 city, 23 hwy.