19 June 2001: Buyers have snapped up the new £84,000 Lexus SC430 supercar - long before it is scheduled to arrive here. Most of the cars, which are due here in July, have already been bought.

Wannabe owners can't wait to get into what is being described as one of the best performing coupe/cabriolets in the world.

The SC430, which has an electric hood that folds seamlessly away when the sun shines through, is full to the brim with technology and buyers can choose from a range of colours and two different wood inserts.

It is powered by a 4.3-litre engine that pushes out 283bhp - and is virtually the same engine as that in the marque's flagship LS430. The new car will be on public display at Toyota's special showroom in Ballsbridge, Dublin in July.

While most of us will only be able to watch in awe, the lucky buyers will be hoping the weather permits a real opportunity to raise the roof on this extraordinary new motor. CFC