Toyota Soarer

The Toyota Soarer was a personal luxury GT coupe that was built by Toyota in Japan in the years 1981-2004 on the same floor pan as the Supra. The Soarer was launched in 1981 as a Z10 series, and was the successor to the Crown coupe. In 1986, a rounded Soarer designed out ( Z20 series ). 1991, the third generation ( Z30 ) was introduced in Japan. The Soarer Z30 appeared also as a Lexus SC 300/400, a luxury coupe Toyota for its new luxury brand Lexus built to market outside Japan. Although the Z30 Soarer and the Lexus SC 300/400 had the same body and many other components in common, but different drives and equipment details.

At home, the Soarer was competing with the Nissan Leopard coupe. All Soarer models had often misinterprets a special lion emblem with wings as a griffin.

In 2001, a convertible Toyota as a successor which appeared in Japan as the fourth generation ( Z40 series ) and is exported as Lexus SC 430. Unlike their predecessors the Soarer and Lexus SC 430 are almost the same. After the introduction of the Lexus brand in Japan 2005, the sale of the Soarer Z40 was set and the car has since been known in Japan Lexus SC 430

Z10 series ( 1981-1985)

Toyota Soarer 2000 GT ( 1981-1985)

The Soarer was first presented in 1980 at the International Motor Show in Osaka under the name EX -8 and then from February 1981 to December 1985 as the Z10 series with six-cylinder engines with two overhead camshafts and engine capacity of 2.0 liters, 2.8 liters and 3, 0 l made ​​. He had rear-wheel drive and based on the model Celica Supra XA6X. He showed various technologies, such as a controlled by a computer with a touch screen air conditioning ( on all models except the base version, which had a normal fan heater combination ), digital speedometer and odometer with LED depending on the model - as well as other electronic components.

The front wheels were suspended by MacPherson struts, the rear axle hung on solid trailing arms. Also had the car self-diagnosis display units with inspection.

There were several engines:

• GZ10 = 1G -EU or 1G - GEU
• MZ10 = M- TEU or 5M - GEU
• MZ11 = 5M -GE or 6M - GEU
• MZ12 = 6M - GEU

Early MZ -10 with M -TEU engine differed in some details of the later MZ- 10th Some differences were:

• Later MZ -10 had an air -water heat exchanger
• Later MZ -10 had an oil and water cooled turbo (as opposed to the only oil cooled specimens in the early MZ -10)

The Z1X series Toyota Soarer was awarded in the model years 1981 and 1982 the title of Car of the Year in Japan.

The MZ12 was as follows, feature

• ABS
• Cruise Control
• 7- way adjustable driver's seat with leather cover
• Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension ( TEMS)
• Digital Climate Control
• Audible alerts
• Multivision screen (type CRT), (only for model GT LTD)
• Air suspension

Z20 series ( 1986-1991 )

Toyota Soarer 2.0 GT Twin Turbo ( 1988)

The Toyota Soarer Z20 Series was built from January 1986 to April 1991 in four engine options: 2.0-liter DOHC engine R6 (Type 1G -GE or 1G - GEU Type ), 2.0 -liter DOHC Turbo R6 engine (Type 1G - GTEU ) with two turbochargers and 3.0 liter R6 DOHC turbo engine ( Typ 7M - GTEU ). The latter had desired air suspension. The styling of the second generation Soarer is similar to the Mark II model, the Soarer had the same platform as the newly introduced Supra.

In April 1989, there was a limited to 500 copies special edition Aero Cabin. It had only two seats and an electrically operated folding roof. The Aero Cabin had a number of amenities available for GT Limited and was only available with the 7M - GTEU - engine, four-stage automatic, beige leather interior and pearl colored lacquer.

There were a number of engines:

• GZ20 = 1G -EU or 1G - GEU or 1G - GTEU
• = MZ20 7M - GTEU
• = MZ21 7M - GTEU and air suspension

1988 Soarer Z20 has been revised. In addition to the tail lights, there were other smaller Änderungen.Folgende engines have also been improved:

The motors of the M- series were oil jet for cooling the cylinder.

Unlike the A70 the Z20 was not with the 2.5 liter R6 engine with two turbochargers, type 1JZ - GTE delivered, but all models after May In 1989, a new cross member which easily allowed the installation of this popular and powerful motor.

Z30 series (1991-2000 )

Toyota Soarer 2.5 GT -T ( 1995)

1990 after the successful introduction of the luxury brand Lexus in export markets contracted Toyota their California design studio Calty to develop a new luxury coupe. 1991, this car was introduced in the U.S. as the Lexus SC 300/400. In the same year led to the Soarer in Japan a third generation as a series Z30. This model had the same body as the Lexus SC and the same interior and the same drive components.

The new Soarer had some equipment details that Toyota had already introduced with the predecessors, such as digital display instruments and control of various systems on the in-dash touchscreen EMC. Thus, the new model is one of the first cars with factory lieferbarem GPS navigation unit with the CD - ROM drive, where you continued the Toyota / Lexus tradition, other luxury brands was in the price. Its chassis was also used in the Supra Mk IV. This chassis was, however, originally designed for the Soarer. The chassis, brakes, drives and some engine parts of both cars are interchangeable.

All models of the Soarer the years 1991-2000 were equipped with four-stage automatic transmissions. Upon request, the JZZ30 Soarer was available with a manual five-speed gearbox. All models have a Torsen differential. Unlike its sister model, the Lexus Soarer but never received a five-step automatic and only the six-cylinder versions were 1996 engines with Toyota's VVTi system ( variable valve timing ). Furthermore, the model was UZZ30 ( identical to the Lexus SC 400) only sold from 1991 to 1993 and the JZZ31 ( same design as the Lexus SC 300) was introduced in 1994 on the Japanese market.

The styling of the Soarer was during his 9 -year-old production time only minimally revised when it came to the taillights and grille. This can be seen as proof of the quality of the original design.

As of 1997, the Soarer was used with 2.5 GT -T engine and manual five-speed gearbox as high-speed Patrolienfahrzeug for the prefecture administrations.

Soarer models of the Series 30

• JZZ30 (1991-2000 ) - 2.5 liter turbocharged R6 with one or two turbochargers and VVTi
• JZZ31 (1994-2000 ) - 3.0 L -R6 basic model (identical to Lexus SC 300)
• UZZ30 ( 1991-1993) - 4.0 L V8 base model (identical to Lexus SC 400)
• UZZ31 (1991-1997) - 4.0 L V8 with air suspension and "EMC " -TV/Touchscreen
• UZZ32 ( 1991-1996 ) - 4.0 L V8 with active suspension, four-wheel steering and "EMC " -TV/Touchscreen

Model JZZ30

The JZZ30 was the only model that has been continuously sold by the introduction of the series Z30 1991 until production ceased in 2000. As the sportiest of the range model, he was the only one available with a manual transmission. As with the other models in the series were two versions available, the simple GT- T and the better -equipped GT- TL, the electrically adjustable leather seats, genuine wood ornaments, cruise control and Toyota's " TEMS ", electronically adjustable shock absorbers, in addition had.

The JZZ30 was the 2.5 liter R6- turbo engine 1JZ - GTE. At first he had two smaller turbochargers, which ran in parallel ( unlike, for example, sequentially controlled turbocharger on the Supra or Mazda RX -7), and delivered 280 bhp officially (206 kW ) of power and 363 Nm of torque at 4,800 min-1. This corresponded to the maximum value that the voluntary control of the Japanese car manufacturer allowed, the actual performance was higher. In August 1996, the engine received Toyota's VVTi variable valve control together with a single, more efficient turbocharger, resulting in a higher torque in the mid range - 378 Nm at just 2,400 min -1 at officially consistent performance and lower fuel consumption.

Model JZZ31

While the Lexus SC 300 1991 was already available at the launch of the series in the USA, the sister model JZZ31 Soarer was launched on the Japanese market until 1994 and then presented the new base model of the series Soarer dar.

The JZZ31 was the 3.0 -liter engine 2JZ -GE - R6, the (165 kW ) min -1 and a torque of 285 Nm at 4,800 min-1 yielded a power output of 224 bhp originally at 5,800. Like the JZZ30 the engine 1997 also got the VVTi system, which the power to 230 bhp (169 kW) at 6,000 min-1 and torque increased to 304 Nm at 4,000 min -1 and the fuel consumption lowered. While the Lexus in the U.S. was like tuned for his machine that he IV ( JZA80 ) had in common with the Supra Mk, they let the Soarer in Japan are left, because he - unlike the Lexus SC 300 - never with manual was offered gearbox and not the sporting reputation of the turbocharged JZZ30 nor the luxury of models UZZ31 and UZZ32 possessed.

Nevertheless de JZZ31 remained because of rising prices ( and thus declining sales figures) of the V8 models mid -1990s until the end of the Z30 series 2000 production.

Models UZZ31 and UZZ32

The models UZZ31 and UZZ32 were the luxury GT versions of the series and had a much better equipment than the six-cylinder models and the Lexus SC 300/400. The "EMC " - ( Electro Multi Vision) touchscreen was first Z10 and Z20 introduced in the series, was with these two models also available, offering TV, GPS navigation, diagnostics, on-board computer, rear view camera and call all the functions of the climate control system and the audio system with 7 speakers (including subwoofer) and 12 -disc CD changer by touching the screen.

Both models and the particularly simple equipped UZZ30 were powered by Toyota's famous 4.0 -liter V8 aluminum engine 1uz -FE with four camshafts. He delivered 260 bhp (191 kW) at 5,400 min-1 slightly less power and with 353 Nm at 4600 min - 1 is slightly less torque than the turbocharged JZZ30 but was popular for its soft run and its sophistication. In 1995, the engine received a revised, improved its response and the power to 265 bhp (195 kW) and torque to 363 Nm increased, but its production was stopped before he got the VVTi control that the Lexus SC 400 and other models the performance once again significantly increased. However, turbo- and supercharged versions are becoming increasingly popular because of the durability and strength of this engine and there is internally unchanged engines, which provide up to twice the standard available power.

DerUZZ31 had an adjustable air suspension of driver, which could be adjusted depending on two occasions in the height and damper adjustment. The pressure in the air generated by a store front of the built-in compressor drive.

The UZZ32 was the top model in the range Z30 and had four-wheel steering and a complex hydraulic suspension with computer control. The cars had no conventional springs and stabilizers more, but hydraulic damper, which were controlled by sensors, the driving conditions, such as cornering, acceleration and braking detected. The system worked perfectly and delivered a very controlled, yet comfortable ride with no body roll, but the increased weight somehow impaired driving performance and the cars were very expensive to manufacture. So finally only 873 UZZ32 were prepared and are being sought as a future classic particularly in the UK and Australia. To provide an idea of ​​the rarity of the model, one needs to know that copies of the UZZ32 with little kilometers for AU $ offered 20000-35000, while other versions of the Soarer are 8000-15000 purchased for AU $.

Z40 series (2001-2005 )

Lexus SC 430 (2001)

The Z40 series Soarer was largely the same as the corresponding Lexus model that was sold in export since 2001 Lexus SC 430. The Soarer 430 SCV was a convertible with a folding metal roof, which in the trunk of the car folded like that of the contemporary Mercedes -Benz SL. The car was equipped with a 4.3 liter V8 VVTi engine with the designation 3UZ -FE, the same who also worked in the luxury sedan Lexus LS 430. He gave a capacity of 283 hp ( 208 kW) and a torque of 430 Nm. Thus he provided for an acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.0 s The joint body of the Lexus SC 430 and 430 SCV Soarer was developed by Toyota designers at design studios in Japan and France. Compared to the standard Z30 many viewers considered the fourth generation Soarer for an optical step backwards, because the new body was more compact and top heavy. Thus, they had lost the elongated, slender appearance, which was so much admired at the predecessor.

With the Z40 synergies culminated, as Lexus and Toyota models, unlike its predecessor, had a common body. The rise of the brand name Lexus as Toyota's luxury brand is also due to the focus of the design of luxury vehicles on just this brand. On 26 July 2005, the Lexus brand was introduced in Japan and the Lexus SC 430, model 2006, was part of the model range. With the presentation of the new brand of the sale of the Soarer was adjusted.