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

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 17th 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.

* Output that system can achieve using engine power and motor power (motor power is dependent on battery power) (based on TMC calculations)