Filed under: Convertibles, Lexus, Misc. Auto Shows
Another year, another Pebble Beach Lexus SC 430
Click image for gallery
Friday, Lexus will pull the wraps off its fifth special Pebble Beach Edition SC 430. As has been the case the last four times, the 2007 version is simply a paint and trim package, so without further ado, here are the details:
- Smoky Granite Mica exterior paint
- Camel & Ecru leather interior
- Espresso Birdseye maple trim
- Brushed chrome Pebble Beach badging
- Embroidered floormats
- Illuminated scuff plates
- 18" six-spoke chrome wheels
- rear spoiler
[Source: Lexus]
PRESS RELEASE:
Lexus Reveals Fifth Annual SC Pebble Beach Edition Hardtop Convertible
Limited-edition SC 430 to debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Lexus Fashion Preview
August 15, 2007 – Pebble Beach, CA - Lexus will debut the 2008 Lexus SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition retractable hardtop convertible to commemorate its on-going partnership with Pebble Beach Company. With a limited production of 360 vehicles, the fifth special-edition Lexus SC will be unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Lexus Fashion Preview on Aug. 17.
The unique exterior design of the SC 430 is complemented by an elegant exterior/interior color combination that will be exclusive to the Pebble Beach edition SC. This special SC will feature a Smoky Granite Mica exterior paint combined with an exclusive two-tone Camel and Ecru leather trim interior and Espresso Bird-eye maple wood trim. Additional styling cues unique to the Pebble Beach SC include special-edition brushed chrome badging on the front fenders and center console and an Ecru Pebble Beach logo embroidered on Camel carpeted floor mats. The Pebble Beach SC will also feature White illuminated scuff plates, a sleek rear spoiler and aggressive 18-inch six-spoke chrome wheels equipped on all-season or summer run-flat tires.
In addition to its elegant styling, the Lexus SC 430 hardtop convertible benefits from its ability to hide the roof within the confines of its trunk in a mere 25 seconds, while still maintaining enough room for luggage. All without latches, catches, snaps or covers. And when the top is up, it defies traditional convertible logic by remaining solid, secure and weatherproof.
The rear-wheel drive SC 430 is powered by a 288-horsepower, DOHC, 4.3-liter V8 engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). The aggressive V8 is mated to a six-speed sequential-shift ECT-i transmission to achieve a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 149 mph. In addition to its impressive performance, the SC is certified as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II.
The SC features a number of technologies designed to enhance driver visibility including an Adaptive Front lighting System headlights, which help better illuminate a turn as the driver steers into it. The SC also includes daytime running lights, fog lamps and projector High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights.
Dynamic handling is accomplished with standard features that include an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, traction control (TRAC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).
Every SC 430 comes standard-quipped with a Mark Levinson® Premium Sound System. This extraordinary system has been configured to self-optimize performance for top-up or top-down driving. Designed by one of the audio field's legendary innovative brands, the SC 430's system uses a seven-channel DSP 240-watt amplifier and nine strategically located speakers to turn the SCs interior into a private concert hall. System equalization automatically adjusts when the roof is lowered to compensate for the changed acoustics and ambient noise levels, and it returns to its original levels when the roof is raised.
The 2008 Lexus SC Pebble Beach Edition will be available for purchase in late August.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mr. X-Class 12:11PM (8/16/2007)
Boring disfigured '02 Mercedes SLK replica.
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Don 12:39PM (8/16/2007)
Who goes to Pebble Beach for this thing?
Travis 12:23PM (8/16/2007)
looks nothing like a mercedes
yeah so boring....a 70k car....sooo borring sooo lame soo usual... NAH NOT REALLY...its the best made car you can buy for pretty much any price
i think it is a nice wives car...
see alot of them in houston
looks really nice in that paint color...
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Lee 12:25PM (8/16/2007)
Easily Lexus' worst car. Heavy, slow, guzzles gas, handles like a pig...
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biggins 12:42PM (8/16/2007)
Lee, you're right.
Travis, my Altima 3.5 could smoke that SC430, and I dont mean in a drag, dillweed, I mean in a real race around a track. Plus, the Altima is better looking.
....annnnnnd you like men.
Travis 12:44PM (8/16/2007)
ahh a clarvoyant
call ya ms cleo
Lee 12:49PM (8/16/2007)
Ouch. Somebody didn't take their nap today.
I have actually driven this car, so my opinion is based on that experience, not just some stats.
The car is relatively slow. Lexus might say 5.8 seconds, but it feels a full second slower than that. Blame tires, blame the transmission, you can even blame me if you really want to... but it's an auto. Stomp on it and it goes, and it didn't feel very fast for having a 300 horse V8. I drove an Audi TT 3.2 the same day (which is admittedly more sports car than the SC) and it felt much faster.
And then there's the squishy suspension and the sleepy interior. Maybe it's just not my kind of car, I was totally unimpressed.
See? That's how we post replies to comments.
Travis 1:01PM (8/16/2007)
i have seen the errors of my ways
:-)
cazz 4:47PM (8/20/2007)
Altima, who cares. I think it is right after the Taurus in the boring category. The typical cry of teenagers or those who have not matured past their teens who cant save enough for something German. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Whoever said it is a wives car is right, it is what it is.
Evan McMorris-Santoro 12:28PM (8/16/2007)
it really is weird how the SC looks so much better in pictures than in person, isn't it? It has an old-school cruiser look in photos, in my opinion - simpler and more classic lines than the latest from M-B. But It looks like a warmed over Buick Riv when it's cruising next to you on the highway. Too bad.
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The original SLK 12:52PM (8/16/2007)
Lexus SC is nothing more than an uglier version of the previous generation SLK. Back then, Lexus actively copied everything it could from M-B and BMW (e.g. LS is uglier S class, IS is 3-series replica). In fact, Lexus design team was working backwards: taking the original car and trying to tweak it here and there, making it appear "different".
Given M-B superiority in the design field, all modifications Lexus applied to SLK in order to differentiate it from SC resulted in shapeless trunk, bloated swollen hood and disproportional body details. Since then M-B released newer SLK with hints from its F1 cars - trully beautiful and innovative design, while Lexus continues to push outdated SKL replica for the price of original.
japtraplex 12:37PM (8/16/2007)
Toyota sure can design some ugly cars... but this one takes the cake. If they aren't copying someone elses design they're crafting something uniquely hideous.
Not to mention its miserable performance...
LOL, the $65k Toyota Soarer doesn't even have a rollover protection 17 years after Mercedes introduced it on the SL. These days you can buy a $20k VW Beetle with automatic roll bars... but not in a "Lexus" for any amount of money.
The Soarer speaks volumes about Toyota's priorities...
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syed 12:37PM (8/16/2007)
TERRIBLE TERRIBLE car. it handles like an absolute PIG. I drove one once, and sincerely think it's one of the 5 crappiest cars i'd ever driven...slow, ugly, and completely useless to the world of cars.
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Lee 12:54PM (8/16/2007)
Exactly how I felt. I knew I wasn't alone!
F451 12:39PM (8/16/2007)
For those who know the conception of this automobile and its designer's feedback, both the car, and the designer are out of sync with the real world. How it has lasted so long as the champion of the mundane is beyond belief.
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nardi 12:58PM (8/16/2007)
Why anyone would take this ugly bad handling handbag of a car over a SL is beyond me, but what the hell, gives me somthing to bitch about when I stuck in trafic on the freeway.
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psarhjinian 2:56PM (8/16/2007)
Perhaps they took it over the SL because:
-They like the interior (it really is very nice)?
-They want a luxury coupe that isn't potentially riddled with electronic gremlins?
This is a boulevard cruiser; a shorter, topless, two-door LS430 that's reliable and coddling. Some people like that, though I personally wish they hadn't labelled it as heir-apparent to the SC400. LC400 might've been a better moniker.
Preston M 1:03PM (8/16/2007)
It's amusing how people are all happy to chime in and bash it. Does it handle great? No, Is it a rocket? No. Is it marketed as either? Not at all.
How many SLK's or SL's hit the track? How many XLR's? How many even get to be driven hard? Very few. The SC is a sunday cruser. Its very comfortable, has a fantastic interior and one of the best stock sound systems you can get... period. It's a great value for what it is too. Its one of the most quiet convertibles i have ever been in, and smooth is the word to use when describing the car.
Is the car a bit old? Well yes, But so is the LX, its still a great vehicle. And much like the LX, A refresh is on the way. Although i'm sure this car will be losing a lot of the characteristics that made it so loveable to many, to appeal to most of you guys. And thats alright.
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Me Too 1:13PM (8/16/2007)
Doubtfully, SC interior is great, it is reliable and makes a great all-around cruiser. I believe everyone's contention with this car is what it offers for the price. Neither SLK nor SC are meant for the race track, but for the price it is expected to have a great handling. Additionally, its design is a blunt rip-off of the Mercedes. Given that out of the $70K MSRP probably $20-$30K price premium is paid for the "name", originality and uniqueness is the must. Replicas should be priced way below the original, not above it.
F451 1:37PM (8/16/2007)
Chiming in...it is stick-ugly, and always has been, and always will be stick-ugly. I'm not biased though as the Maybach could be its ugly older four-door brother.