Looking forward to another Lexus

Though much research is ongoing into the development of alternative automotive power units, the internal combustion engine which has been around for more than a century is likely to remain the prime power source for cars in the medium term.

That said, there may well be a hybrid sports car in the future of Lexus, according to Toyota’s Chief Engineer in charge of Product Planning, Yasushi Nakagawa. And he sees hybrid technology - already on the road in the Toyota Prius - becoming ‘mainstream’ in the interests of technology and safety.

Meantime though, his latest traditionally-engined ‘baby’ was officially launched last month in the US and will be coming to Europe and Ireland in July. The Lexus SC430 convertible coupe is probably as close to a dream car coming true as possible. And though it is a new niche area for the marque, in true Lexus fashion they went to extraordinary lengths to make sure it lives up to the standards set by the rest of the Lexus range.

For instance, in order to test the SC to its aerodynamic limits, Lexus used a special wind tunnel built to help with the design of the famous Japanese ‘bullet’ trains. Among other things, this helped Mr Nakagawa and his team to assess a particular engineering problem with cars whose roofs retract to make them convertibles ... even those with steel roofs.

“At high speeds, such a roof ‘balloons’ and can break its seal with the rest of the car, leading to excessive noise,” he says. “It was a problem very difficult to overcome and we had to develop several different mechanisms to deal with it. But we succeeded in making a car which is exceptionally quiet even at speeds up to 250kph.”

The SC430 is also, according to Mr Nakagawa, unusually quiet in open-top mode, with occupants able to converse in normal voices at 110kph. And with a look at the metalwork (we first saw it in Paris and more recently in Geneva and were gobsmacked) you can see the results of the wind-tunnel ... anywhere there’s likely to be a corner is a smooth-as-an-egg curve, with sculptings so subtle that they might not be immediately apparent.

Mr Nakagawa was also the development chief engineer for the GS series Lexus cars, arguably the sportier of any Lexus model up to now. So it was understandable that he would be primarily interested in the SC from a driver’s perspective.

“Both the GS and the SC are drivers’ cars. In Japan I drive a GS myself. It was essential that the SC would be absolutely compatible with Lexus standards in terms of noise, vibration and handling. We were determined to accept no excuses, no compromises. I believe we achieved a particularly excellent vehicle.”

The version of the SC we have seen is classic in its silver body and red leather interior. The inside design and trim reflects well the 21st century exterior styling. The car is powered by the latest Lexus V8 4.3-litre and Mr Nakagawa says the driving pleasure is at least as good as the car looks.

Which is encouraging in a segment where exotic supercars can be engineeringly temperamental, and even ergonomically compromised for the sake of style. But it begs the question as to how much more can be put into a car? Increasingly electronic technology is taking over many facets of driving, from skid and traction control to ‘intelligent’ cruise controls which are already in use in Lexus cars in the US and Japan.

“IT technology will be introduced more and more,” Mr Nakagawa suggests. “But I see it in terms of ‘car to car’ communications, using the Internet to provide drivers with more up-to-date navigational and service information than available with current pre-programmed systems. This will use a combination of telephone and satellite technology. And, of course, automated driving systems will be introduced more and more.

Indeed, as roads become more crowded and lifestyle more individualised, such systems are likely to become even more necessary. Which is maybe a good reason to be grateful for the arrival of the SC430 when it comes.

It may represent, among a few others, the last high point of the driver’s car. Too soon, there may be no more “drivers” that are not computer chips.

In advance of actually driving the SC430, may we say “thank you” to Mr Nakagawa and team. We still LIKE to drive.