The Highest Soarer

This article was first published in 2003.

Of the many engine and transmission combos that have been factory fitted to the Toyota Soarer, the VVT-i single turbo six with a 5-speed manual is easily the most potent. Forget about the 1UZ V8 and the 1JZ twin-turbo - the single turbo VVT-i engine gives the spread of performance that finally makes the Soarer a 'complete' sports tourer.

AutoSpeeders may recall our recent road test ["Toyota Soarer Twin-Turbo"] of the auto and manual gearbox'd 1JZ-GTE twin-turbo Soarers. During this test, we built up a lot of admiration for the big Toyota coupes - certainly, they offer excellent comfort, refinement and performance for the money. But there was an obvious flaw that showed up while driving around town - let's revisit our comments on the 1JZ twin-turbo engine...

"The gasses exiting its 1JZ-GTE head are constantly divided into two simultaneously operating turbos; this means boost response and low-rpm torque is a fair way behind the sequentially-turbo'd RZ Supra. You really notice this bottom-end 'hole' when punching the 1600kg Soarer off the line - it feels quite doughy until just before 3000 rpm."

Well, we're pleased to say the single turbo VVT-i variant totally does away with the above criticism - this thing much more responsive and alive. It's a totally different beast.

And, we know what you're wondering - how much of a difference can adding variable inlet cam timing and taking away one turbo really make? Well, in the Soarer's case, more than you'd believe.

Just take a look at this table...

	Claimed Power	Claimed Torque
1JZ twin-turbo	206kW at 6200 rpm	363Nm at 4800 rpm
1JZ single-turbo VVT-i	As above	378Nm at 2400 rpm

As you can see, the addition of VVT-i and changing the turbo system has resulted in no extra peak power, but the torque graph is turned on its head. Instead of max torque being found all the way up at 4800 rpm, you only have to give it a prod on the accelerator to discover a higher peak torque value at only 2400 rpm. We're talking more grunt at only half the revs - and look at the torque number from a swept capacity of just 2.5-litres!

With such a strong output down low, under normal driving the single turbo VVT-i Soarer feels like a highly-tuned 5-litre V8 - but it then winds right out to a 7200 rpm cut-out. It's fantastic. But don't let us lead you into thinking it's a match for the Supra's 3-litre 2JZ sequential twin-turbo. To put things back into perspective, the VVT-i Supra RZ boasts an astounding 451Nm at 3600 rpm...

Still, with two people on board, we timed the swift Soarer ripping to 100 clicks in the low 6-seconds. And that wasn't with a high-rpm clutch dump or brutal gear changes - it was nice and easy, no-fuss repeatable. Just the way it should be in a big luxo coupe.

Other than the changes under the bonnet - and their obvious effect on the driving experience - the VVT-i turbo Soarer looks just like any other Soarer of the same year. Note, however, VVT-i was first introduced to late 1995 models - these can be identified by their 'semi-striped' taillights, revised grille, front and rear bumper and different shape driving lights. They're subtle changes that don't detract from the Soarer's big, swoopy shape.

Inside you'll find nothing's been changed over the earlier model six-cylinder Soarers. Our test vehicle came equipped with electric front seats (no memory), power windows and retractable mirrors, that stupid digital instrument cluster, climate control, leather trim (optional) and the full-house tuner/cassette/CD stacker sound system. It's hard to fault this sound system - it's clear and offers plenty of bass.

Another feature is the traction control system. With the system activated, any wheelspin results in the electronic-controlled throttle shutting the engine down in a fairly major way - and also relatively early in the piece. Switch the system off and you can enjoy the nicely tuned double wishbone suspended chassis. This isn't a vehicle that feels like it'll 'come around' when you least expect it; any oversteer-type crash would have to be provoked.

Note that our 1998 test vehicle - supplied by Craig Dean of Melbourne's Sport and Luxury Cars - had also been equipped with an aftermarket exhaust, 18-inch alloys, slightly lowered suspension, an aftermarket power tilt'n'slide glass sunroof and non-genuine cruise control. With only 50,000 kilometres of motoring behind it, Craig had this 'EVIL RZ' stickered at $59,000. That includes a 1-year unlimited kilometre warranty, and it's backed by a full (in-house) parts supply.

This is one brilliant luxury sports machine - certainly the best of the breed.

Contact:

Sports and Luxury Cars
+61 3 9753 5799

www.sportsluxurycars.com.au

Soarer VVT-i Single-Turbo Fast Facts... Carries over all the Soarer/Lexus refinement, build quality, ride and handling Performs f-a-r better than the older twin-turbo variant. Plenty of go even from idle rpm We still don't like that hard-to-view digital dash Oh, and she's still a fat bugger to park...

The Soarer was supplier to AutoSpeed courtesy of Sport and Luxury Cars.

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