The design of the SC430 combines functional beauty with smooth lines and thoughtful packaging. Lexus designers from Europe and Japan worked on the creation of the convertible. The exterior was designed by the company's European design center. The designers were looking for inspiration in a place known for its luxury — on the French Riviera. They spent several weeks there observing people and products to get an idea of a truly luxurious lifestyle.
The retractable aluminum rigid roof provides outstanding versatility of the SC430. A simple push of a button will raise or lower the roof.
The long wheelbase and short overhangs give the SC430 a muscular posture accentuated by 18-inch wheels. The forward-shifted roof combines the outstanding and characteristic Lexus style of the front part of the body and pronounced wheel arches, creating a powerful sense of forward movement. Laconic sides give a classic elegant look, and the stylish design of the front and rear lights also contributes to a luxurious but sporty image.
While the exterior was being improved in Europe, designers were also working in Japan to combine the purpose and elegance of the exterior lines with the same emotional but ergonomic interior. The design team chose to emphasize the natural beauty of leather and wood, rather than create unnatural shapes from plastic profiles, and even visited the Yamaha musical instrument factory to learn more about their special methods of modeling wood.
They started by looking at simple materials with inner beauty — materials such as genuine leather and wood, which give a much more natural, distinct sense of luxury.