Toyota Soarer

Toyota Soarer
Production period:	1981-2004
Class :	upper middle class
Body versions :	Coupé , convertible
Previous model:	Crown Coupe
Successor:	Lexus SC

The Toyota Soarer was a personal Luxury - GT - Coupe that of Toyota in Japan in the years 1981-2004 on the same underbody as the Supra was built. The Soarer started in 1981 as the Z10 series and was the successor to the Crown Coupé . In 1986 a rounded soarer came out (Z20 series). In 1991 the 3rd generation (Z30) was presented in Japan. The Soarer Z30 was also available as the Lexus SC 300/400 , a luxury coupe that Toyota built for its new luxury brand Lexus for marketing outside of Japan. The Soarer Z30 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 competed with the Nissan Leopard Coupé. All Soarer models had a special lion emblem with wings, often called bird grasping misinterpreted.

In 2001 Toyota introduced a convertible as a successor, which appeared in Japan as the 4th generation (Z40 series) and is exported as the 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 in 2005, sales of the Soarer Z40 were discontinued and the car has since been called the Lexus SC 430 in Japan.

The Soarer has introduced some technical world novelties. In 1983 the first electronically controlled semi-active wheel suspension for steel suspension and in 1986 for air suspension in the Soarer debuted : Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension (TEMS, current name: Adaptive Variable Suspension). 1991 in UZZ31 and a computer-assisted, hydraulic Toyota Active Control suspension introduced UZZ32 that no stabilizers required and shake effectively compensated. According to Toyota, this was the world's first fully active suspension . (Mercedes-Benz introduced a similar system in 1999: Active Body Control )

Z10 series (1981–1985)

Soarer Z10
Toyota Soarer 2000 GT (1981–1985)
Production period:	1981-1985
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 2.0-3.0 liters
Length:	4655 mm
Width:	1695 mm
Height:	1360 mm
Wheelbase :	2660 mm
Empty weight :	1310 kg

The Soarer was first presented at the International Motor Show in Osaka in 1980 under the name EX-8 and then from February 1981 to December 1985 as the Z10 series with inline six-cylinder engines with two overhead camshafts and displacements of 2.0 l, 2.8 l and 3 , 0 l manufactured. It had rear-wheel drive and was based on the Celica XA6X Supra model . It showed various innovations, for example an air conditioning system controlled by a computer with a touchscreen (on all models except the basic version, which had a normal fan-heater combination), digital speedometer and distance counter with LED depending on the model - as well as other electronic components, including self-diagnosis units with inspection display.

The front wheels were of individually MacPherson struts suspended from the rear of drawn Swinging, Toyota PEGASUS ( P recision E ngineered G eometrically A dvanced SUS called pension).

There were different engines:

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

Early MZ-10s with M-TEU engines differed in some details from the later MZ-10s. Some differences were:

• Later MZ-10s had an air-to-water heat exchanger
• Later MZ-10s had an oil- and water-cooled turbocharger (in contrast to the only oil-cooled models in the early MZ-10)

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

The MZ12 was equipped as follows:

• SECTION
• Cruise control
• 7-way adjustable driver's seat with leather cover
• semi-active chassis Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension (TEMS)
• Digital climate control
• Digital instrument cluster
• Audible warning messages
• Multivision screen ( cathode ray tube type ), (only for GT LTD model)
• Air suspension

Z20 series (1986–1991)

Soarer Z20
Toyota Soarer 2.0 GT Twin Turbo (1988)
Production period:	1986-1991
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.0-3.0 liters (132-176 kW)
Length:	4675 mm
Width:	1725 mm
Height:	1335 mm
Wheelbase :	2670 mm
Empty weight :	1510 kg

The Toyota Soarer of the Z20 series was built from January 1986 to April 1991 with four engine variants: 2.0 l R6 DOHC engine (type 1G-GE or type 1G-GEU), 2.0 l R6 DOHC turbo -Motor (type 1G-GTEU) with two turbochargers and 3.0 l R6 DOHC turbo engine (type 7M-GTEU). The latter had air suspension on request. The styling of the second generation Soarer corresponds to that of the Mark II model . The Soarer had the same platform as the newly introduced Supra.

In April 1989 there was a special Aerocabin limited to 500 copies . It had only two seats and an electrically operated folding roof. The Aerocabin had many of the equipment details of the GT-Limited and was only available with the 7M-GTEU engine, four-stage automatic, beige leather interior and pearl-colored paintwork.

There were a number of engines:

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

In 1988 the Soarer Z20 was revised. In addition to the rear lights, there were other minor changes. The following engines have also been improved:

• 1G-GTEU: 210 bhp (154 kW) instead of 180 bhp (132 kW)
• 7M-GTEU: 240 bhp (176 kW) instead of 230 bhp (169 kW)

The M-series engines got oil nozzles to cool the cylinders.

Unlike the A70, the Z20 did not come with the 2.5L R6 twin turbocharged engine, Type 1JZ-GTE, but all models after May 1989 had a new cross member that made it easy to fit this more popular and powerful engine made possible.

Z30 series (1991-2000)

Soarer Z30
Toyota Soarer 2.5 GT-T (1995)
Production period:	1991-2000
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.5-4.0 liters (165-206 kW)
Length:	4860 mm
Width:	1790 mm
Height:	1340 mm
Wheelbase :	2690 mm
Empty weight :	1540 kg

See also: Lexus SC 300 / SC 400

In 1990, after the successful launch of the Lexus luxury brand in the export markets, Toyota commissioned its Californian design studio Calty to develop a new, luxurious coupé. In 1991 this car was introduced in the USA as the Lexus SC 300/400. In the same year, the third generation Soarer was introduced in Japan as the Z30 series . This model had the same body as the Lexus SC and also had the same interior fittings and drive components.

The new Soarer had a number of features that Toyota had already introduced in its predecessors, such as: B. digital display instruments and control of various systems via the touchscreen Electro Multi Vision (EMV) built into the dashboard , including NTSC television reception . The new model was one of the first automobiles with a GPS navigation device with CD-ROM available from the factory, continuing the Toyota / Lexus tradition, other luxury brands in the price. Its landing gear was also used in the Supra Mk. IV. However, this chassis was originally designed for the Soarer. The chassis, brakes, drives and some engine parts of both cars are interchangeable.

All Soarer models from 1991–2000 were equipped with four-stage automatic transmissions as standard. On request, the Soarer JZZ30 was available with a manual five-speed gearbox. All models had a Torsen differential . Unlike its Lexus sister model, however, the Soarer never received a five-speed automatic and only the six-cylinder versions received the engines with the Toyota VVTi system (variable valve control) in 1996. The UZZ30 model (identical to the Lexus SC 400) was only sold from 1991 to 1993 and the JZZ31 (identical to the Lexus SC 300) was only introduced to the Japanese market in 1994.

The styling of the Soarer was only minimally revised during its 9 years of production, which concerned the taillights and the grille. This can be taken as proof of the quality of the original design.

From 1997 the Soarer with a 2.5 GT-T engine and manual five-speed gearbox was used as a high-speed patrol vehicle for the prefectural administrations .

30 Series Soarer models

• JZZ30 (1991-2000) - 2.5 l R6 turbo 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 basic model (identical to Lexus SC 400)
• UZZ31 (1991–1997) - 4.0 l V8 with air suspension and "EMV" TV / touchscreen
• UZZ32 (1991–1996) - 4.0 l V8 with active chassis, four-wheel steering and “EMV” TV / touchscreen

Model JZZ30

The JZZ30 was the only model that was sold continuously from the introduction of the Z30 series in 1991 to the end of production in 2000. As the sportiest model in the range, it was the only one available with a manual transmission. As with the other models in the range, two versions were available, the simple GT-T and the better equipped GT-TL, which additionally had electrically adjustable leather seats, real wood decorations, cruise control and Toyota's "TEMS", electronically adjustable shock absorbers.

The JZZ30 had the 2.5-liter R6 turbo engine 1JZ-GTE. Initially, he had two smaller turbochargers, which ran parallel (unlike, for. Example, the sequentially driven turbocharger of the super or RX-7 ), and provided officially 280 bhp (206 kW) and 363 Nm of torque at 4800 min ^-1 . This corresponded to the maximum value allowed by the voluntary self-regulation of the Japanese automobile manufacturers, but the actual performance was higher. In August 1996, the machine was Toyota's VVTi variable valve timing together with a single, more efficient turbocharger, resulting in a higher torque in the medium speed range - 378 Nm at just 2,400 rpm ^-1 at officially maintaining performance and lower fuel consumption.

Model JZZ31

While the Lexus SC 300 was already available when the series was introduced in the USA in 1991, its sister model Soarer JZZ31 was only introduced on the Japanese market in 1994 and then represented the new base model of the Soarer series.

The JZZ31 had the 3.0 l R6 engine 2JZ-GE, which originally produced an output of 224 bhp (165 kW) at 5,800 min ⁻¹ and a torque of 285 Nm at 4,800 min ⁻¹ . As with the engine JZZ30 1997 was also the VVTi system, which the power to 230 bhp (169 kW) at 6,000 min ^-1 and the torque to 304 Nm at 4,000 rpm ^-1 lowered and increased fuel consumption. While the Lexus was often tuned in the USA because of its machine, which it shared with the Supra Mk. IV (JZA80), the Soarer was left behind in Japan because - unlike the Lexus SC 300 - it never works with a manual one Transmission was offered and did not have the sporty reputation of the turbocharged JZZ30 nor the luxurious features of the UZZ31 and UZZ32 models.

Nevertheless, due to the rising prices (and consequently falling sales) of the V8 models, the JZZ31 remained in production in the mid-1990s until the end of the Z30 series in 2000.

Models UZZ31 and UZZ32

The UZZ31 and UZZ32 models were the luxury GT versions of the series and were much better equipped than the six-cylinder models and the Lexus SC 300/400. The "EMV" (Electro Multi Vision) touch screen was first introduced in the Z10 and Z20 series, was also available in these two models and offered television, GPS navigation, diagnosis, on-board computer, rear-view camera and selection of all functions of the automatic air conditioning, des Audio system with 7 speakers (including subwoofer ) and the 12-disc CD changer by touching the screen.

Both models and the particularly simply equipped UZZ30 were powered by Toyota's 4.0 l V8 engine 1UZ-FE with an aluminum engine block and four overhead camshafts. It provided with 260 bhp (191 kW) at 5,400 min ^-1 slightly less power and 353 Nm at 4600 min ^-1 slightly less torque than the turbocharged JZZ30, but was popular for its soft run and its sophistication. In 1995 Toyota revised the engine, thereby improving its responsiveness and increasing the output to 265 bhp (197 kW) and the torque to 363 Nm. Its production was discontinued, however, it no longer got the VVTi control, which increased the performance of the Lexus SC 400 and other models considerably. Nevertheless, turbocharged and supercharged versions are becoming more and more popular because of the longevity and strength of this engine, and there are internally unchanged engines that provide up to twice the power available as standard.

The UZZ31 had air suspension adjustable by the driver, which could be adjusted twice in terms of height and damping hardness. The pressure in the air reservoirs was generated by a compressor installed in the front of the car.

The UZZ32 was the top model of the Z30 series and had all-wheel steering and the Toyota Active Control Suspension . It is a complex, hydraulic active chassis with computer control. The cars no longer had conventional springs and stabilizers, but hydraulic dampers that were controlled by sensors that detected driving conditions such as cornering, acceleration and braking. The system worked excellently and provided a particularly controlled yet comfortable driving behavior with no body roll, but the increased weight impaired performance and the cars were very expensive to produce (Mercedes-Benz introduced a very similar chassis in 1999: Active Body Control ) . In the end, only 873 UZZ32s were produced and are particularly sought after as future classics in Great Britain and Australia. To get an impression of the rarity of the model, you have to know that examples of the UZZ32 with few kilometers are available for AU- $ 20,000 to 35,000, while other versions of the Soarer are available for AU- $ 8,000 to 15,000.

Z40 series (2001-2005)

Soarer Z40
Lexus SC 430 (2001)
Production period:	2001-2005
Body versions :	Cabriolet
Engines:	Otto engine : 4.3 liters (208 kW)
Length:	4515 mm
Width:	1825 mm
Height:	1355 mm
Wheelbase :	2620 mm
Empty weight :	1730 kg

Main article: Lexus SC 430

The Soarer's Z40 series was largely identical to the corresponding Lexus model, which had been exported as Lexus SC 430 since 2001 . The Soarer 430 SCV was a convertible with a metal hardtop that folded into the trunk of the vehicle like that of the contemporary Mercedes-Benz SL . The car was equipped with a 4.3 liter V8 VVTi engine named 3UZ-FE, the same one that worked in the Lexus LS 430 luxury sedan . It delivered an output of 283 bhp (208 kW) and a torque of 430 Nm. This enabled it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.0 s. The common body of the Lexus SC 430 and Soarer 430 SCV was developed by Toyota designers in design studios in Japan and France. Compared to the Z30 series, many viewers considered the fourth generation of the Soarer to be an optical step backwards because the new body was more compact and top-heavy. Thus it had lost the elongated, slender appearance that was so much admired on the predecessor.

With the Z40, the synergy effects reached their peak, since Lexus and Toyota models, unlike their predecessor, had a common body. The rise of the Lexus brand name as Toyota's luxury brand is also due to the focus of luxury vehicle design on the same brand. On July 26, 2005, the Lexus brand was also introduced in Japan and the Lexus SC 430, model 2006, was part of the model range. With the presentation of the new brand, sales of the Soarer were discontinued.

See also

• Honda Legend Coupe
• Eunos Cosmo
• BMW 8 Series
• Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

Web links

Commons : Toyota Soarer  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Soarer Club in Japan
• Frequently asked questions about the Lexus SC 300/400 at intellexual.net (English)  ( page no longer available )
• Leader of the Toyota JZ engines (English)  ( Page no longer available )

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} A 75-Year History through Data> Automotive Business> Products, Technology> Technical Development> Chassis . Toyota. 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
2. ↑ ^{a b} Toyota Soarer UZZ32 . UZZ32. November 2, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
3. ↑ ^{a b} Chronology of the SC  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Intellexual.net (English)  
4. ↑ video1962 legend: ト ヨ タ ／ ソ ア ラ 3.0GT-LIMITED （1985）. In: Youtube. November 6, 2012, accessed January 18, 2015 .