Toyota Soarer
Toyota Soarer
Overview
| Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Production | 1981-1985 (Z1 Series)
1986-1991 (Z2 Series) 1991-2000 (30 Series) 2001-2004 (40 Series) |
| Body Style(s) | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine(s) | 4.3L 3UZ-FE VVTi |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed Automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2620 mm |
| Length | 4515 mm |
| Width | 1825 mm |
| Height | 1355 mm |
| Curb Weight | 1730 kg |
Specifications
| Engine(s) Specs | V type 8 cylinder DOHC |
| Power | 208kw (280HP) @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 430Nm @ 3400 rpm |
| Redline (RPM) | 7,000 rpm |
| Transmission(s) Specs | Super intelligent 5 speed automatic 5 Super ECT |
| Drag Coefficient | With rear spoiler 0.30; Without rear spoiler 0.31 |
| Green Specs | 8.5 km/L |
Rated Performance
| Top Speed | 180 km/h (Japanese limiter) |
| Acceleration | 0-60 mph (1-100 km/h) @ 5.9 seconds |
| Standing 1/4 Mile | 14.4 seconds |
History
The Toyota Soarer was a personal luxury GT coupe sold by Toyota in Japan from 1981 to 2004. The Soarer d�buted in 1981 with the Z1 series, replacing the Toyota Crown Coupe, which took the form of a angular two-door coupe. In 1986, a more rounded Soarer was launched (the Z2 series). In 1991, the third generation (30 series) Toyota Soarer premiered in Japan. The 30 series Soarers were related to the Lexus SC 300/400, a luxury coupe Toyota had commissioned for its new upscale Lexus division outside Japan. While sharing the same body style and multiple components as the first Lexus SC, the 30 series Soarer lineup offered different powertrain specifications and multiple unique vehicle configurations.
In 2001, Toyota introduced a convertible successor which appeared in Japan as the fourth generation (40 series) Toyota Soarer, and elsewhere as the Lexus SC 430. In contrast to previous versions, the fourth generation Soarer and Lexus SC models were largely equivalent. In 2005, following the introduction of Lexus in Japan, sales of the 40 series Soarer were discontinued and the Lexus SC 430 became available in the Japanese market.
Last Productions
30 Series
In 1990, following the successful launch of its upscale Lexus division outside of Japan, Toyota commissioned its California design studios to develop a new luxury coupe. In 1991, this vehicle debuted in the U.S. as the Lexus SC 300/400. In the same year, the third generation Toyota Soarer debuted in Japan as the Z3 or 30 series Toyota Soarer, replacing the Z2 series in that market. The 30 series Soarer shared the body style and key components with the Lexus SC, but featured different interior features, powertrain configurations, and other performance enhancements.
At the time of its 1991 debut, the Toyota Soarer boasted some of the rarest and most luxurious features of any car on the road at the time. It was one of the first cars in the world to feature factory GPS navigation and integrated car systems control (via the in-dash EMV touchscreen). It rivalled the likes of US$75,000 BMW & Mercedes-Benz vehicles and could be bought for a fraction of the price. It had a luxury feel to it, yet the 2.5GT twin turbo model in particular was truly a very powerful sports car as well. Not surprising though, given it shared the same chassis as the MKIV Toyota Supra. Both cars' suspension, brakes, drivetrains, and engine parts were interchangeable.
The Toyota Soarers made from the years 1991-2000 were offered with a 4-speed automatic transmission for all models. In addition, the JZZ30 Soarer could be had with a 5-speed manual transmission. Unlike their US Lexus equivalents however, the 30-series Soarer lineup never received a 5-speed automatic, and only the six cylinder versions received variable valve timing (VVTi) engines, in 1996.
In addition, the UZZ30 (equivalent to the Lexus SC400) was only sold from 1991 to 1993, and the JZZ31 (equivalent to the Lexus SC300) was not introduced to the Japanese market until 1994.
The JZZ31 model used the same engine and transmission as the MKIV 1993-1998 Toyota Supra N/A. This 3.0 liter DOHC Inline Six engine, the 2JZ-GE, was also used in the Lexus IS 300 and GS 300 models.
40 Series
The 40 series Soarer model was largely identical to its Lexus equivalent, sold outside Japan as the Lexus SC 430 since 2001. The 40 series Soarer 430SCV featured a hardtop which could fold into the boot of the car, in the fashion of the contemporary Mercedes-Benz SL. The coupe was equipped with the 3UZ-FE VVTi (variable valve timing) 4.3 litre V8 motor - as was available in the Lexus LS 430 luxury sedan. It produced a respectable 208kw (280HP) and 430Nm of torque. This enabled the coupe to accelerate from a standstill to 62mph in a reasonable 6 seconds. The shared body style of the 40 series Soarer/SC 430 was developed by Toyota designers at design studios in France and Japan. Compared with the 30 series, some observers generally considered the fourth generation a retreat in visual style due to its more compact and top heavy appearance. As a result it had lost the long sleek look previously seen and admired greatly in the 30 series models.
With the 40 series Soarer, design and production synergies culminated in the development of a single shared design configuration for both the Soarer and Lexus models, unlike the previous generations. The rise of Lexus as Toyota's premium worldwide marque also contributed to the design focus on the Lexus model configuration rather than a separate Toyota-branded series of Soarer coupes. On July 26, 2005, Lexus was introduced in Japan with the 2006 SC 430 in its lineup. The debut of Lexus and the SC 430 coincided with the conclusion of Toyota Soarer sales.
Other
Go To TopReturn to JDM Cars
Source: Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License