Toyota Supra MKIV DNA in luxury formContrary to popular opinion, the SC 300 isn't a rebadged Supra MKIV. For instance, the SC 300 has a wheelbase 105.91 inches, while Supra's stands at 100.39 inches. This would put them in entirely different categories; the Supra MKIV is more of a sports car, while the SC 300 is a grand-tourer first and foremost.However, there are also quite a lot of similarities. The subframes on both cars are almost identical, meaning they have similar axle and suspension mounting points, as well as similar torsional stiffness. Both cars also have the same double wishbone layout at the front, and independent at the rear.Furthermore, the SC 300 and the naturally aspirated Supra MKIV also share braking systems, transmission options, and most of their electronics. So, yeah, it's safe to say that the SC 300 has Supra DNA, but there was still enough tinkering by Lexus' engineers for it to be a standalone car.It was available with a manual transmissionPotent engine. Balanced handling. Anything missing for a truly engaging driving experience? You guessed it: a manual transmission. Unlike many Lexus models, the SC 300 was available with a five-speed manual transmission. In comparison, the V8-powered SC 400 was only available with a four-speed (later five-speed) automatic.Going for the manual gives you more driving engagement and also a bump in performance. With the five-speed manual, the SC 300 reaches 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, while the four-speed automatic version is only good for 7.7 seconds. The manual is marginally lighter, too.Unfortunately, buyers at the time opted predominantly for the four-speed automatic SC 300, forcing Lexus to discontinue the manual in 1997. Only about 4,000 manual SC 300s were sold, making them a prized possession today. Still, six-speed manual transmission swap kits are available for the SC 300, so there is an option even if you can only find an automatic.Even if you choose an automatic SC 300, it's good to know that it comes with an intelligent ECT-i transmission. This means it has two shifting programs — Normal and Sport — with the latter revving the engine higher before engaging the next gear. The shifts are also sharper, adding to the sporty experience.Excellent build quality and plush interiorJump inside the SC 300's cabin, and you'll see where Lexus spent most of its efforts. Every surface is dressed in leather or high-quality soft-touch plastic. Even the wood used on the dashboard is real. The fit and finish is excellent, with squeaks and rattles almost non-existent on bumpy roads. Even today, the SC 300 feels like a quality vehicle.Lexus' obsession for building high-quality cars shows in other places as well. For instance, the SC 300's doors are an engineering marvel. When you open them, they pivot outward and forward, allowing easier entry in tight parking spaces. The hinges that allow this are quite complex, but so over-engineered that they almost never break.And Lexus didn't skimp on features, either. You could get the SC 300 with memory functions for the seats, steering wheel, and mirrors, a feature seen as premium even today. A premium Nakamichi stereo system was also available, and all models came with cool-looking electroluminescent instrument dials that lit up when you started the vehicle.The first Lexus grand-tourerFor all its undeniable qualities, the SC 300 is also a historically significant model for Lexus. It's the first grand tourer the Japanese luxury maker ever produced, and only the third model for the brand, after the LS 400 and ES 250. Toyota had already produced two generations of the Soarer for its domestic market, so it's not like the automotive giant didn't know how to make a grand tourer, but the first-gen SC/third-gen Soarer was the first model from the company to be equipped with a V8 engine.The legacy of the first-gen SC reverberated through other models in Lexus' lineup. The SC 430, its successor, tried a convertible formula, but stayed true to the rear-wheel drive plus V8 roots. Then, in 2014, Lexus uncovered the wraps of the RC sports coupe. Although smaller, it continued the V8 tradition in the high-performance RC F version. The same 5.0-liter V8 also found its way into the striking LC 500, a grand tourer that's most closely related to the ethos of the original SC 300 and SC 400.
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