Lexus SC430 and GS450h Go Racing

Lexus SC 430 in Super GT

Luxurious gets super speedy

By Text & Photos edited by F. de Leeuw van Weenen
August 18, 2006 4:41 AM
Filed Under: Japanese, Lexus

Press Release

Luxurious gets super speedy

SC 430 in Super GT series and GS 450h competes in 24-hour race

World famous for their refinement and comfort, Lexus cars are also proving to be great racing cars. The SC 430 has succeeded the iconic Supra in the Super GT series and the GS 450h petrol-electric hybrid tackled a Le Mans-style 24 hour race.

SC 430 – Supra Successor

Four of the 15 teams competing in the 2006 Super GT series run a Lexus SC 430, with Team Cerumo’s Yuji Tachikawa and Toranosuke Takagi currently in joint second spot on the drivers’ point rankings.

Scottish driver Peter Dumbreck also drives a Lexus SC 430 for Team Kraft and is currently ranked tenth.

In race trim the V8 SC has around 500bhp. They are in action in Japan this weekend as they take part in the legendary 'Suzuka 1000km' which is a round of the Super GT field for the first time.

GS 450h – Electric Endurance

Meanwhile the Lexus GS 450h, the world’s first rear-wheel drive hybrid power sports saloon, made its motor racing debut in Japan’s only 24-hour race last month.

The high-performance hybrid shone at the Tokachi International Speedway in Hokkaido (in northern Japan) finishing fourth in its production car class and 17^th overall in a field of 33.

The gruelling, twice around the clock event allowed Lexus engineers to collect data on the potential of hybrid systems in motor sports, especially relevant as such systems are being discussed for imminent introduction to Formula 1.

The racing GS 450h added to hybrid motor sport history, joining the Toyota Prius which was the first, and remains the only hybrid car to start and finish an FIA sanctioned event, the 5,000mile Midnight Sun to Red Sea Rally in 2002.

SUPER GT LEXUS SC 430 SPECIFICATIONS

Model Type	UZZ40
Length × Width	4585 mm × 1925 mm
Weight	1100 kg
Wheelbase	2620 mm
Track (F/R)	1550 mm / 1530 mm
Transmission	Transaxle 6-speed sequential
Clutch	Carbon triple-plate
Suspension	F: Double wishbone R: Double wishbone
Brakes	F: Ventilated disc R: Ventilated disc
Tyres	Bridgestone F: 330/40-R18 R: 330/40-R18
Wheels	Rays F: 13J × 18 R: 13J × 18
Engine Model	3UZ-FE
Engine Type	V8 DOHC 32 valves
Displacement	4,480 cc
Bore × Stroke	93 mm × 95 mm
Air Restrictor	29.6 mm × 2
Maximum Power	473 bhp @ 7200 rpm
Maximum Torque	510 Nm @ 5600 rpm

TOKACHI 24-HOUR LEXUS GS 450h SPECIFICATIONS

Vehicle (racecar) name	Denso Lexus GS450h
Base vehicle	Lexus GS450h (DAA-GWS191-BEXQH)
Entry Class	"Production-1" Class (hybrids and other environmentally considerate vehicles) Note: The entry vehicle is also recognised as a 2006 Super Taikyu Series ST-1 Class (3,501cc or higher) vehicle exceptionally approved by the Super Taikyu Organization (STO).
Vehicle outline	Maximum engine output	292 bhp @ 400rpm
	Maximum motor output	197 bhp
	Maximum output of overall hybrid system*	340 bhp
	Vehicle weight	1,550kg or higher (weight specified by STO for the Super Taikyu Series)
	Main modifications for racing	Front and rear suspension Tyres and wheels Safety roll cage Safety fuel tank Differential (mechanical LSD) Brake system Aerodynamic parts, reduced vehicle weight, etc.