Glossy wood, available in either light bird's-eye maple or dark burled walnut, graces the steering wheel, gear selector, and console; and streaks across doors and dash. Wooden flap doors conceal the audio unit and navigation system. A leather-padded armrest tops the console; lifting it reveals a handy storage bin.

Despite the sheer quantity of sophisticated electronic gear and power-motivated controls, the SC 430's cockpit is commendably simple and well-organized. The driver faces a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes, plus toggles for the cruise control system. Immediately ahead are three chrome-ringed binnacles housing round analog gauges, with crisp white-on-black graphics and vivid red needles. Switches for windows and door locks dot the padded armrest on the driver's door. To the right, above the console, horizontal modules hold audio and climate systems, plus a video screen for the navigation system.

The automatic climate system offers independent controls for the left and right sides of the cabin, plus its own, separate LED display for temperature and air flow. It's a "smart" system that gathers information from temperature sensors around the cabin. Lap vents automatically deploy when the top is open, to compensate for solar heating

The 240-watt stereo was developed exclusively for the SC 430 by the Connecticut-based Mark Levinson company, which has a reputation for designing top-quality sound systems. The radio, cassette deck and six-disc, dash-mounted CD changer play through a seven-channel amplifier and nine speakers, including an eight-inch subwoofer. With digital signal processing (DSP) and automatic sound leveling (ASL), this electronic wonder turns the cockpit of the SC 430 into a mobile sound studio. The most impressive aspect of the system is that it maintains full harmonic richness and high audio resolution even when you're zipping along at freeway speed with the top down.

A toggle switch beside the climate system opens the top. First, the transmission must be in the Park position. Then press the switch, and the side windows dip, a trunk flap rises, and the roof quickly folds in half and slips into the trunk. Then the flap closes and windows descend into the doors.

Lurking behind the front seats are a pair of smaller, form-fitting rear buckets rigged with integrated headrests and three-point safety belts. But don't mistake the SC 430 for a full four-seater. Those back buckets are painfully upright and large enough only for Barbie and Ken. Better to use them as a relief storage shelf for the diminutive trunk, especially when the hardtop is stowed and occupying most of the available truck space.