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John Floyd Since the re-launch of Lexus in South Africa eighteen months ago, the brand has achieved many of its goals and more importantly gained the confidence of many new clients. Lexus has for many years been accepted as one of the finest vehicle suppliers, offering owners an extremely high level of customer service and the same has now been proved locally.

Many new Lexus drivers have been asking their dealers when they could expect the arrival of the SC430, the two door sports coupe with, at the time, the first all metal folding roof.

Well the wish has become reality with the availability locally of the latest generation of the SC430 on a customer order only basis.

The SC model has been available in several guise internationally for several years and it has met with some very positive and some very negative criticism, it seems that many motoring journalists enjoy slating the Lexus "sports"? car.

Well as far as this scribe is concerned, they've missed the very point of this car and last weekend I had the opportunity to find out for myself.

Lexus South Africa launched the SC430 in a manner that befits the essence of the brand.

A charter flight to George, collection at the airport by chauffeur driven Lexus GS300 and a stay at the fabulous Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa just outside Knysna, set the tone.

Top it off with a dinner at the castle in Noetzie overlooking a sunset beach and I think you will get the idea of just what market this latest product is aimed at.

The Lexus SC430 is a well styled two door convertible that offers everything that its larger saloon relatives provide to guarantee a very comfortable journey.

Designed as a convertible as opposed to a redesign of an existing saloon, the SC430 does not claim to be a sports car, rather a car that offers coupe or open top luxury at the push of a button with enough luxury to impress even the most fastidious.

The cabin is superb with wood and leather by the acre, electrically adjustable seats with memory function, front seat heaters.

The automatic climate control system was designed exclusively for the SC430 to operate in all kinds of driving conditions, no matter what season.

It adjusts automatically to compensate for the top being open.

The system includes strategically-positioned outlets to circulate warm air on the knees and lap areas of the driver and front seat passenger, and the fan level is automatically increased in conjunction with any increase in vehicle speed to maintain the effectiveness of the heater or cooler.

A Mark Levinson sound system with nine speakers with volume and track/mode selection switches situated on the three-spoke leather finish steering wheel, allows the driver to operate the audio system more easily.

Other comfort and convenience features include electric one touch windows with jam protection, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, Adaptive Front-lighting System with HID headlights and washers and front and rear fog lamps. Powered by a 210 kW all-aluminium, double overhead-cam, 4.3-litre V8 VVT-i engine delivering 419 Nm of torque.

The SC430 is capable of reaching a top speed of 250 km/h and a 0/100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.

The six-speed sequential automatic transmission features Artificial Intelligence-shift. Al -shift memorises your driving style and utilises the ECU to respond accordingly to various driving conditions.

Sport mode can be selected when you require a more spirited response.

The SC430 has ABS with Brake Assist and EBD, plus traction and vehicle stability control.

Add a Tyre Pressure Warning System, dual stage driver and passenger airbags as well as side and knee airbags, with a reinforced cabin area makes the new Lexus a very safe proposition.

On the road the Lexus SC430 was a pleasure to drive, in fact you tended to forget that you were there to experience the car and just enjoyed the scenery, around Knysna that's not difficult.

That in itself is a compliment, when the drive is so easy and comfortable it means that the designer has succeeded in his aim of cossetting you in a world of total luxury.

As is the case with all Lexus vehicles in South Africa, the SC430 convertible sports coupe comes with a three year/100 00 km warranty and a four year/100 000 km full maintenance plan.

Services are required at 15 000 km intervals and Roadside Assistance is included for the duration of the maintenance plan period.

The Lexus SC430 will retail for R762 000.

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