Toyota Soarer MKIII/ Lexus SC MKI. The Soarer pages on the web!!

Soarer MKIII / Lexus SC MKI History from Lexus Soarer Owners club.

The MKIII Soarer is now out of production, but was originally marketed from 1991-2000 in Japan and also in the USA as a Lexus Coupe. It was not sold in Europe. It was actually designed in Calfornia by an American company. It is still considered by many to be the best looking car ever to have carried the Lexus badge. In Japan it was called a Toyota Soarer (they did not use the 'Lexus' branding at all in Japan at that time). There were 5 Japanese Soarer models, all right hand drive, and any of these cars that you might have seen (assuming you are in the UK or Australia) will almost certainly have been a Japanese Soarer. After importation some people leave the Toyota logo and griffin (Soarer) emblem as they found it, others (most people in fact), replace the badges with 'Lexus' ones, to mirror the western branding that was used on the US models. Hence we now have a considerable number of Lexus Soarers around.

It's an interesting fact that a large number of the MkIII Soarers (probably the majority) no longer reside in their homeland. Used cars in Japan have a limited shelf life. Whilst the Soarer was incredibly popular and much sought after when it was launched, the fascination was to last for around two years before newer technology came along to replace it. And although the production line continued until the turn of the century, the top of the range V8 models ceased to be of interest to the technology hungry Japanese and were discontinued in early 1997, even though they were probably still well ahead of their western counterparts. Production of the V8 continued however for the American market right up to the end. Now most of the MkIII models are either residing in the UK or Australia, where they can be picked up usually for a few thousand pounds (or dollars).

Now if you shop wisely you can pick up one hell of a lot of class machinery in the form of a MkIII Soarer. Capable of lasting another ten years or more (let's not forget that most of them are well over 10 years old now) if serviced and maintained properly. And there lies the rub. Because they can be picked up so cheaply, they tend to fall into the hands of people who can't afford or just don't bother to maintain them properly (it is a luxury vehicle after all). So care has to be taken when buying one to look out for a detailed service history if you are planning on a long term investment. Some of the larger and more expensive parts on these cars are reaching the end of their expected life now, so the breaking of Soarers is becoming an emerging industry and it is a sad reality that most Soarers are now worth more in bits than they are as a whole these days. However don't let that put you off if you were thinking of acquiring one. There are still quite a few low mileage, well maintained Soarers to be found. Indeed it's worth paying a few bob more if you do come across one with an impressive service history. Mileage is not really an issue because the superior Lexus/Toyota build quality has meant that there are many Soarers around with over 250,000 miles on the clock (in the USA there are reports of over 1,000,000 miles) so six figure odo readings are not necessarily an issue. If you want to know more about the individual models please read on below.

Soarer history from Toyota Imports Forum.

The Toyota Soarer - was produced for the very first time in 1981 it marks the birth of Toyota's luxury 2 door coupe, the Z10. Based on the EX-8 prototype shown at the Osaka International Motor Show held in November 1980 it featured the first inline straight 6 DOHC engine since the Toyota 2000GT. The first incarnation of the Soarer brand gained immense popularity as a luxury GT in its home market of Japan. Top of the range was the 2.8ltr GT-Limited with the 5M-GEU engine capable of 175hp. Other models included the 125 hp 2.0ltr single overhead cam 1G-EU and the 145 hp M-TEU turbo.

The second generation Toyota Soarer (Z20) introduced in 1986 features an eye-appealing rounded form with its flush surface canopy design. A landmark vehicle that gave birth to the specialty prestige car category. It was also the first model to feature an electronic retractable metal roof. The car was available with several different engine configurations through its production history, including the 2.0-litre 1G-GEU , the 2.0-litre turbo engined 1G-GTEU and the 3.0-litre 7M-GTEU (also used in the Mark III Supra). The car also featured the 'Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension (TEMS) and air suspension on the 'top of the range' models.

1991 marks an all-new Toyota Soarer (Z30) with boldly executed styling from the famous Calty Design Studios in California, USA. This third-generation vehicle also marks its debut in world markets. With an available 4.0-liter 1UZ-FE V8 engine, also used in the Celsior, and a 2.5-litre twin turbo 1JZ-GTE engine, the Soarer forges new ground with its fine balance of luxury and sporty performance. later models were also produced with the 3.0-litre 2JZ-GE engine. Sold on the 'world market' as the Lexus SC400 and Lexus SC300, this was the first coupe to bear the Lexus badge. It was also the first production car to feature 'active controlled suspension', in the UZZ32 version. The luxury specification through the range also included items like air suspension, TEMS, a touch screen display and a camera in the rear spoiler to aid with reversing.

Originally named to evoke an image of effortless soaring with the wind, the all-new fourth-generation Toyota Soarer (Z40) 430 SCV is reborn as a convertible. Chief engineer for the project, Yasushi Nakagawa, was given the design goals of making an all weather convertible, with beauty and style regardless of the roof being open or closed and to follow the 20 year philosopy of Soarer production by making the most beautiful coupe for its time and generation. Within Japan the final design was deemed to have reached all its goals to the extent that the new Soarer was named the "Jewel of Prestige Convertible". For the world market it was called the Lexus SC430.