Lexus SC

Lexus SC: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Lexus SC, the split is body and gearbox first, then horsepower inside the same name. Generation 1 (1991–2001) is a Coupe: six versions, inline-6 3.0 AT / 3.0 MT and V-shaped 4.0 AT, 4-speed Automatic except the 5-speed Manual, 78 L tank, 120 mm ground clearance, kerb 1595–1640 kg.

If you are choosing a Lexus SC, the split is body and gearbox first, then horsepower inside the same name. Generation 1 (1991–2001) is a Coupe: six versions, inline-6 3.0 AT / 3.0 MT and V-shaped 4.0 AT, 4-speed Automatic except the 5-speed Manual, 78 L tank, 120 mm ground clearance, kerb 1595–1640 kg. Generation 2 (2001–2005) and its restyling (2005–2010) are Cabrio only: three 4.3 AT V-shaped 8-cylinder Gasoline engines, Automatic 5- or 6-speed, RWD, 85 L tank, 142 mm clearance, kerb 1740–1750 kg. There is no 3.0 or 4.0 in the Cabrio years and no Cabrio in the Coupe years. Wheel size is not measured on every version.

What the later years buy is not more power across the board. Peak listed output is 4.3 AT 303 hp (2nd generation). Peak power-to-weight is 4.0 AT 294 hp (1st generation). The restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp is 2 hp above the 286 hp Cabrio and 15 hp below the 303 hp Cabrio; 0–100 km/h is 6.2 s versus 6.1 s on both pre-restyle 4.3 AT cars.

Lexus SC generations compared: Coupe vs Cabrio vs restyling

1st generation (1991–2001), Coupe, 6 versions. This is the only generation with a Manual, the only one with 6-cylinder engines, and the only one with 3969 cm³ 4.0 AT. Ground clearance is 120 mm (22 mm lower than every 4.3). Gross weight is 1875 kg on all six. Kerb weight spans 1595 kg (both 3.0 AT and 3.0 MT) to 1640 kg (4.0 AT 245 hp). Combined fuel use, where measured, is 11.4–12.4 L/100 km. Fastest 0–100 km/h here is 6.9 s (4.0 AT 294 hp); slowest is 8.2 s (3.0 AT 228 hp). Top speed spans 220 km/h (both 3.0 AT) to 241 km/h (all three 4.0 AT).

2nd generation (2001–2005), Cabrio, 2 versions, both named 4.3 AT. Displacement is 4293 cm³, V-shaped 8, Gasoline, No boost, Front, longitudinal, Automatic 5-speed, RWD, 95 fuel, compression 10.5, bore × stroke 91 × 82.5. The 4.3 AT 286 hp / 210 kW at 5600 rpm makes 430 Nm at 3400 rpm; 0–100 km/h 6.1 s; top speed 250 km/h; city/highway/combined 13.8 / 9.8 / 12.0 L/100 km; kerb 1750 kg; gross 2055 kg; rear brakes Disc ventilated. The 4.3 AT 303 hp / 223 kW at 5600 rpm makes 441 Nm at 3400 rpm (+17 hp, +11 Nm versus 286 hp); 0–100 km/h still 6.1 s; top speed 240 km/h (10 km/h lower); 13.1 / 10.2 / 11.8 L/100 km; kerb 1742 kg (−8 kg); gross weight not measured. The 303 hp car is the only 4.3 with combined use under 12.0 L/100 km.

2nd generation, restyling (2005–2010), Cabrio, 1 version. The restyling 4.3 AT is 288 hp / 214 kW at 5600 rpm and 430 Nm at 3400 rpm — same torque as the 286 hp car, +2 hp, −15 hp versus 303 hp. The gearbox is Automatic 6-speed (one extra ratio versus both 2001–2005 4.3 AT). 0–100 km/h is 6.2 s (+0.1 s versus both earlier 4.3 cars). Top speed is 250 km/h (same as 286 hp, +10 versus 303 hp). Fuel 14.7 / 10.2 / 12.1 L/100 km: city +0.9 versus 286 hp and +1.6 versus 303 hp; combined +0.1 versus 286 hp and +0.3 versus 303 hp. Kerb 1740 kg (lightest 4.3, −10 kg versus 286 hp, −2 kg versus 303 hp). Gross 2110 kg (heaviest listed gross in the model: +55 kg versus 286 hp). Rear brakes are Disc, not Disc ventilated. Front, rear suspension stay Independent, spring. Tank stays 85 L. Clearance stays 142 mm.

Lexus SC engine options and specs

All engines are Gasoline, No boost, Front, longitudinal, Distributed injection (multi-point), 4 valves per cylinder, RWD. Cylinder count and layout are taken from the version rows.

Lexus SC horsepower per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres). 3.0 AT 230 hp and 3.0 MT 230 hp: 76.7 hp/L. 3.0 AT 228 hp: 76.1 hp/L. 4.0 AT 294 hp: 74.1 hp/L. 4.3 AT 303 hp: 70.6 hp/L. Restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp: 67.1 hp/L. 4.3 AT 286 hp: 66.6 hp/L. 4.0 AT 253 hp: 63.7 hp/L. 4.0 AT 245 hp: 61.7 hp/L. The smallest engine is the densest; the 245 hp 4.0 AT is the least dense.

Lexus SC 430 / 400 / 300 engine notes (same names, different outputs). The three 4.3 AT share 4293 cm³, 10.5 compression, 91 × 82.5, 95. The 286 and 288 hp cars share 430 Nm; the 303 hp car is +11 Nm. The three 4.0 AT share 3969 cm³, V-shaped 8, 87.5 × 82.5, 95, 10.5 compression. 4.0 AT 294 hp is +49 hp and +70 Nm versus 4.0 AT 245 hp, and +41 hp and +67 Nm versus 4.0 AT 253 hp. The two 3.0 AT plus 3.0 MT share 2997 cm³, Inline 6, 86 × 86, 95. 3.0 AT 228 hp has 10.5 compression and 298 Nm at 4000 rpm; 3.0 AT 230 hp has 10.1 compression and 284 Nm at 4800 rpm; 3.0 MT 230 hp has 10.5 compression and the same 284 Nm at 4800 rpm as the 230 hp Automatic.

Lexus SC specs: 0–100, top speed, mpg / fuel use

0–100 km/h. Fastest Cabrio: both 2001–2005 4.3 AT at 6.1 s. Restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp: 6.2 s. Fastest Coupe: 4.0 AT 294 hp at 6.9 s (0.8 s behind the 6.1 s Cabrio). 4.0 AT 245 hp and 4.0 AT 253 hp: 7.2 s. 3.0 MT 230 hp: 7.5 s — 0.6 s quicker than 3.0 AT 230 hp (8.1 s) and 0.7 s quicker than 3.0 AT 228 hp (8.2 s). The Manual is the only 3.0 under 8.0 s.

Top speed. 250 km/h: 4.3 AT 286 hp and restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp. 241 km/h: all three 4.0 AT. 240 km/h: 4.3 AT 303 hp — highest horsepower 4.3, lowest 4.3 top speed. 235 km/h: 3.0 MT. 220 km/h: both 3.0 AT.

Fuel (L/100 km, city / highway / combined). Restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp: 14.7 / 10.2 / 12.1. 4.3 AT 286 hp: 13.8 / 9.8 / 12.0. 4.3 AT 303 hp: 13.1 / 10.2 / 11.8 — lowest 4.3 city and combined. 3.0 AT 228 hp: 13.1 / 10.7 / 12.4. 4.0 AT 245 hp: 18.0 / 9.4 / 11.4 — highest city in the catalogue, lowest combined among versions with a measured combined figure, lowest highway (9.4). 4.0 AT 253 hp: 13.1 / 10.7 / 12.4 (same trio as 3.0 AT 228 hp). Combined not measured: 3.0 AT 230 hp, 3.0 MT 230 hp, 4.0 AT 294 hp. City and highway not measured on those three as well. CO2 and eco class are not measured on every version.

Tank range arithmetic where combined is measured (tank ÷ combined × 100). 85 L / 12.1 → about 702 km (4.3 AT 288 hp). 85 / 12.0 → about 708 km (4.3 AT 286 hp). 85 / 11.8 → about 720 km (4.3 AT 303 hp). 78 / 12.4 → about 629 km (3.0 AT 228 hp and 4.0 AT 253 hp). 78 / 11.4 → about 684 km (4.0 AT 245 hp). Versions with combined not measured cannot be ranked on range.

Lexus SC dimensions, weight, ground clearance

Wheel sizes: not measured on every version.

Kerb weight. Lightest: 1595 kg — 3.0 AT 228 hp, 3.0 AT 230 hp, 3.0 MT 230 hp. Then 4.0 AT 294 hp 1610 kg, 4.0 AT 253 hp 1622 kg, 4.0 AT 245 hp 1640 kg. Cabrio: restyling 4.3 AT 1740 kg, 4.3 AT 303 hp 1742 kg, 4.3 AT 286 hp 1750 kg. The lightest 4.3 is 145 kg heavier than the heaviest 3.0 and 100 kg heavier than 4.0 AT 294 hp.

kg per horsepower (kerb ÷ hp). 4.0 AT 294 hp: 5.48. 4.3 AT 303 hp: 5.75. Restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp: 6.04. 4.3 AT 286 hp: 6.12. 4.0 AT 253 hp: 6.41. 4.0 AT 245 hp: 6.69. 3.0 AT 230 hp and 3.0 MT: 6.93. 3.0 AT 228 hp: 6.99. The 294 hp Coupe carries less mass per horsepower than any Cabrio.

Gross weight. 1875 kg on all six 1st-generation versions. 4.3 AT 286 hp: 2055 kg (+180 kg versus the Coupe cap). Restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp: 2110 kg. 4.3 AT 303 hp: not measured. Payload where both figures exist: Coupe 3.0 cars 1875 − 1595 = 280 kg; 4.0 AT 245 hp 235 kg; 4.0 AT 253 hp 253 kg; 4.0 AT 294 hp 265 kg; 4.3 AT 286 hp 305 kg; restyling 4.3 AT 370 kg — largest listed payload.

Ground clearance. 120 mm on every 1st-generation Coupe. 142 mm on every 2nd-generation Cabrio (+22 mm). Tank. 78 L Coupe, 85 L Cabrio (+7 L).

Brakes. Front is Ventilated disc on every version. Rear Disc: restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp, 3.0 AT 228 hp, 4.0 AT 294 hp. Rear Disc ventilated: both 2001–2005 4.3 AT, 3.0 AT 230 hp, 3.0 MT, 4.0 AT 245 hp, 4.0 AT 253 hp.

Which Lexus SC version to choose

Want a Cabrio (SC430-type 4.3). Only generation 2. Among the three 4.3 AT: pick 4.3 AT 303 hp if the numbers that matter are peak hp (303), torque (441 Nm), combined use (11.8 L/100 km), and 6.1 s to 100 km/h. You give up a measured gross weight, 10 km/h of top speed versus the other two 4.3 cars, and the 6-speed Automatic. Pick restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp if the extra ratio (6 versus 5) and 250 km/h matter more than 15 hp; accept 6.2 s, 12.1 L/100 km combined, Disc rear brakes, and 2110 kg gross. Pick 4.3 AT 286 hp if you want 250 km/h, 6.1 s, 430 Nm, Disc ventilated rear, and a measured 2055 kg gross; it is the heaviest kerb 4.3 (1750 kg) and the weakest 4.3 (286 hp).

Want a Coupe V8 (SC400-type 4.0). Three 4.0 AT, all Automatic 4-speed, RWD, 3969 cm³. 4.0 AT 294 hp is the one to choose on power and mass: 294 hp, 420 Nm, 6.9 s, 241 km/h, 1610 kg, 5.48 kg/hp. Combined fuel is not measured. 4.0 AT 253 hp is the middle: 253 hp, 353 Nm, 7.2 s, 241 km/h, 1622 kg, combined 12.4 L/100 km. 4.0 AT 245 hp is the low-output 4.0: 245 hp, 350 Nm, same 7.2 s and 241 km/h as the 253 hp car, heaviest Coupe kerb (1640 kg), city 18.0 L/100 km (highest in the model), combined 11.4 L/100 km (best measured combined). The step from 245 to 294 hp is +49 hp and −30 kg kerb.

Want a 3.0 Coupe (SC300-type). Two Automatics and one Manual, all 2997 cm³ Inline 6, 1595 kg, 1875 kg gross, 120 mm, 78 L. Choose 3.0 MT 230 hp if you want the only Manual and the only 3.0 with 7.5 s and 235 km/h; combined fuel is not measured. Choose 3.0 AT 230 hp for Automatic 4-speed with 230 hp and 284 Nm; 0–100 km/h 8.1 s; consumption not measured. Choose 3.0 AT 228 hp if you need measured fuel (13.1 / 10.7 / 12.4) and 298 Nm — the highest 3.0 torque, 2 hp less, 8.2 s, 220 km/h, rear Disc not ventilated. The MT versus the 230 hp AT is the same 230 hp and 284 Nm; the Manual is 0.6 s and 15 km/h quicker.

Want the strongest listed engine. 4.3 AT 303 hp (303 hp, 441 Nm). It is not the lightest per horsepower and not the fastest top speed.

Want the lowest kg/hp. 4.0 AT 294 hp at 5.48 kg/hp, then 4.3 AT 303 hp at 5.75, then restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp at 6.04.

Want the quickest 0–100 km/h. Tie: 4.3 AT 286 hp and 4.3 AT 303 hp at 6.1 s. Restyling is 6.2 s. No Coupe matches 6.1 s.

Want the lowest measured combined use. 4.0 AT 245 hp at 11.4 L/100 km, then 4.3 AT 303 hp at 11.8. Do not treat 4.0 AT 294 hp, 3.0 AT 230 hp, or 3.0 MT as more economical: those combined figures are not measured.

Want 6 speeds. Only restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp. Every other Automatic is 4-speed (generation 1) or 5-speed (2001–2005 4.3 AT).

Want maximum listed payload. Restyling 4.3 AT 288 hp at 370 kg (2110 − 1740). Next measured is 4.3 AT 286 hp at 305 kg.

There is no version in this dataset named SC500. Engine swap is not a factory row here; factory engines are the 2997 cm³ Inline 6, the 3969 cm³ V-shaped 8, and the 4293 cm³ V-shaped 8, all Gasoline, No boost. Prices are not in the data, so “extra money” is extra horsepower, ratios, and kilograms on these rows only.