Toyota Soarer 2.5GT  JZZ30  (Japan only) May 1991 - Dec 2000  

 

The JZZ30 was exclusive to the Japan market. It was powered by a 1JZ-GTE 2.5L 6 cylinder engine with a twin turbo from 1991-1996 and single turbo from late 1996 until production end in 2000. It shared the same chassis as the Mk IV Toyota Supra. Both cars suspension, brakes, drive trains and engine parts are interchangeable. The JZZ30 was the only Soarer to have the option of a 5-speed manual transmission (until 1996.) It was available in two different equipment grades, the standard GT-T with radio/CD, electric mirrors, non-electric cloth seats, etc and the GT-TL or "L package" which added electric velour seats, cruise control, driver airbag, and from 1996 "Piezo" TEMS (Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension) and both driver and passengers airbags. The single turbo which replaced the twin turbo from August 1996 received Toyota's VVT-I (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) technology. It had the same 280 PS (206 kW) as before, but maximum torque increased from 269 lb-ft (363 N-m) to 280 lb-ft (378 N-m) and the torque peak fell to 2,400 rpm. The fatter torque curve made the single-turbo JZZ30 substantially more flexible and much quicker than it's twin turbo predecessor and gave better fuel economy. Woodgrain trim became standard from 1999. Additional factory options included Torsen LSD, front and rear spoiler, sunroof, ABS brakes, and leather steering wheel. Spruce (blue-grey) interior colour scheme was discontinued from 1998 leaving only tan and black interior schemes thereafter. This model was never offered to the USA market.

 

Toyota Soarer  4.0GT  UZZ30  (Japan only) May 1991 - Dec 1993  

 

The UZZ30 was the base model of the three Japanese V8 Soarers and the basis of the American Lexus SC400. The Japanese and American models shared the same 1UZ-FE V8 engine and 4 speed automatic transmission.  Standard features of the UZZ30 were coil over suspension, cruise control, electric velour seats, Radio/CD with 12 disk CD stacker and sub woofer, 15" rims, manual steering column adjustment, and plain sun visors (no courtesy light.) Driver's airbag and ABS brakes were never an option on the UZZ30. Optional factory extras were woodgrain dash and door trims and front and rear spoilers. Interior trim colours were either grey (FA10), spruce (FA60) or tan (FA00), depending on the external paint colour. Japan production of the UZZ30 ended at the end of 1993 but the USA equivalent would continue to be made until 2000. For this reason the UZZ30 is more rare than the more upmarket V8 models (see following.) Between 1999 and 2002 when most Soarers were brought in to Australia, the UZZ30 was sometimes unofficially rebadged as a "Lexus SC400", even though the Lexus marque at the time only applied to the North American market.  

 

Toyota Soarer 4.0GT Limited  UZZ31  (Japan only) May 1991 - Aug 1997   

 

The UZZ31 was the second Japan-only V8 model, also with the 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8 but with driver adjustable air suspension and Electro Multi Vision (EMV) touchscreen system. The air suspension has two settings each for ride height and damper stiffness. The EMV has the capability of a TV, CD ROM navigation, diagnostics, car computer, reversing camera, climate control, a 7-speaker balanced-signal audio system with subwoofer and a 12-disk CD stacker with digital signal processing. However, all information is displayed in Japanese including the buttons of the unit itself thus making the many features useless to non Japanese-speaking owners. The UZZ31 came standard with electric leather seats with headrests front and rear, electric steering column adjustment, cruise control, seat memory position, woodgrain interior trim, and driver's SRS airbag. Traction control (TRC), heated seats, sunroof and rear window wiper were optional extras. The motor received a minor update in 1995 improving responsiveness and slightly increasing power output. As with the other models passenger airbag became standard from 1996. Production of the UZZ31 ended in August 1997. UZZ31s are the most common V8 models seen in Australia, and unfortunately due to age and excessive electronics the most problematic. The UZZ31 could also be individually "special ordered" without the EMV or leather seats, thus benefitting from the practicality and reliability of the UZZ30 but still with the additional luxury options of rhe UZZ31. These "special order" UZZ31s are the most rare and the most collectible today. NOTE: Australian importers sometimes unofficially rebadged the UZZ31 as a "Lexus SC400." At the time they were made Lexus did not exist as a brand in Japan and only the US models were sold under the Lexus marque. There was never a North American equivalent of the UZZ31.

 

Toyota Soarer 4.0GT Limited  UZZ32  (Japan only) May 1991 - Aug 1996  

 

The UZZ32 was the top of the range Soarer model, exlusive to Japan. It was essentially the same as the UZZ31 but received four wheel steering and a complex hydraulic computer-controlled active suspension system, replacing the conventional springs and anti-roll bars in favour of hydraulic struts controlled by sensors that detect cornering, acceleration and braking forces. This made for an extremely smooth ride with no body roll. 16" rims were standard. It received the same minor engine update as the UZZ31 in 1995. Only 873 were made, with the first 600 made during 1991.​​ The model was discontinued in 1996. There are a handful in Australia. There was never a Lexus equivalent of the UZZ32.

 

Lexus SC400  UZZ30L  (USA only) June 1991- July 2000  

 

The UZZ30L (L for "Lexus") was the North American market V8 Soarer sold as the Lexus SC400 from 1992-2000. Although outwardly identical to the Japanese Soarers it's features were a mix-and-match of the Japanese UZZ30 and UZZ31. It had the same suspension and audio system as the UZZ30, but the leather seats (with memory position), ABS brakes, and drivers airbag of the UZZ31. It came with either the UZZ31 or UZZ30 steering column adjustment controls. As with the UZZ31 the UZZ30L could be optioned with sunroof and rear wiper. Exclusive to the US market were USA-only 16" wheels and an analog dash display similar to the Lexus LS400. Passenger airbag was mandatory for the US market whereas the Japanese models did not get this option until the end of 1996. Lexus interior trim colours were tan (1992-2000), grey (1992-1995), and black (1995-2000.) A "limited edition" SC400 made only in 1993 used the spruce (blue-grey) interior colour scheme of the Japanese Soarers. In 1996 the UZZ30L received the new 1UZFE V8 engine from the 1996 Lexus LS400. As with the Japanese models, the USA models received the same tail light changes and body upgrades in 1994 and again in 1996 (for MY97.) From 1998 both American Soarers received the Lexus LS400 gated shifter plate and shifter, exclusive to the USA models. 1998 also saw the introduction of VVt-i and a new 5-speed transmission which replaced the 4-speed. The 1999 model received larger brakes, daytime running lights, perforated leather seats, and the 3-spoke steering wheel of the Lexus GS300/RX300. These were the last changes before production ended in mid 2000. Total production over the whole 9 years was only 49,538, with the majority made in the first year.

 

Lexus SC300  JZZ30L  (USA only) June 1991 - July 2000

 

Toyota released the JZZ31L to the American market a year after the SC400, as the Lexus SC300. It was powered by a modified Toyota Supra 2JZ-GE 3.0L straight 6 cylinder (non turbo) motor. It would be another year before the SC300 would be released in it's home market. The US model was offered with an optional 5 speed manual gearbox until 1997. Unlike the subsequent Japanese version, the US model always came with electric leather seats. Other standard features for the US model were both driver and passenger airbags, USA-only 16" wheels, and woodgrain interior trim. CD stacker was an option. Like the American SC400 the SC300 also shared the same analog instrument display similar to the Lexus LS400 whereas all Japanese models came with the distinctive holographic display. In 1996 the SC300 received a USA-only 5 speed automatic transmission. From 1998 both the SC300 and SC400 were ftted with the Lexus LS400 gated shifter plate and shifter. Japanese models did not. 1998 also saw the introduction of VVT-i (two years after the Japanese models) and gold body badging. As with the SC400, the SC300 received daytime running lights and the steering wheel from the LEXUS GS300/RX300 in 1999. These were the last changes before production ceased in mid 2000. Total production of the SC300 for the entire 9 year run was only 33,000 with the majority made in the first two years.

 

Toyota Soarer 3.0 GT  JZZ31  (Japan only) Jan 1994 - Dec 2000  

 

In 1994, a year after the release of the SC300 in the United States, Toyota Japan introduced it's RHD equivalent to the Japanese domestic market calling it the "new base model" Soarer. As with the USA model it was powered with the same 2JZ-GE 3.0L 6 cylinder non-turbo engine but whereas the USA model could be optioned with a 5 speed manual gearbox, the Japan version always only had a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 2JZ-GE made 225 PS (166 kW) and 211 lb-ft (284 N-m) of torque. Factory options for the JZZ31 included non-electric cloth or leather (black only) seats, sunroof, Torsen LSD, front and rear spoilers, rear wiper, and woodgrain interior trim. 16" rims became standard from 1996 and driver and passenger airbags became optional. Along with the Series 3 tail light, skirt and bumper changes in late 1996 the JZZ31's engine also received VVT-i, increasing its output to 230 PS (169 kW) and 225 lb-ft (304 N-m) of torque and improving fuel economy. The two JZZ models were the only Japanese Soarers to survive through to production end in 2000. Spruce (blue-grey) interior colour was discontinued from 1998 leaving only tan and black interior schemes thereafter. 1999 models received new woodgrain trim and daytime running lights which were the last changes until end of production in 2000.​