Lexus GB has taken more than 100 orders for its luxury sports coupe, the SC430, filling the 2001 order book a little over a month since it made its UK debut at the Birmingham motor show.

The company predicts that by the end of this year the waiting list will be into spring 2002.

A spokesman said: "We're not proud of the waiting times, but it is a mark of the immediate impact the car has made and we will do all we can to minimise the delivery time by trying to get a bigger slice of production."

The SC430, the first convertible model from the marque and set to compete with the Mercedes SL, Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Jaguar XK8, is powered by a new Lexus 4.3-litre V8 VVT-i engine with a power output of 278bhp and capable of 150mph.

The new car will be priced between £50,000 and £60,000.

Standard spec will include what Lexus claims is the world's most advanced climate control systems and a Mark Levinson audio system with nine custom-designed speakers and steering wheel audio controls.

The SC430 is due to arrive in showrooms in late spring 2001.