Rumormill: Lexus SC430 to end production in July with special edition "Eternal Jewel"

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Japan, Lexus, Rumormill, Luxury

Much unloved by the automotive press and lately by consumers who haven't been buying them, the folding-hardtop Lexus SC430 is possibly ending its production run this July. To celebrate and honor the occasion, Lexus is releasing a special edition. Called "The Eternal Jewel," this special edition SC430 should be at Japanese domestic market Lexus dealers by March.

Only 200 are being made and all we know is what we see in the above photograph, i.e. nice looking leather. We doubt any will make it to our shores. If SC430 production does end, that leaves the door open for Lexus to continue in the direction laid down by the IS-F and LF-A and bring out a sporty SC replacement, hopefully along the lines of the original SC300 and SC400, visually at least. We'll keep you posted as we learn more. Tip of the sun-blocking baseball cap to Leopaul!

[Source: Lexus]

Rumormill: Lexus SC430 to end production in July with special edition "Eternal Jewel" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Lexus preparing soft-top SC430 successor

Noah Joseph — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Lexus, Rumormill

2009 Lexus SC430 Pebble Beach Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the Lexus IS C is enjoying strong early sales and the luxury Toyota marque prepares to launch a version with the 5.0-liter V8 from the IS F, the top-of-the-line SC 430 grows increasingly irrelevant and long-in-the-tooth. However, contrary to reports that surfaced this time last year - 'tis the season for convertibles, after all - Lexus is indeed planning a successor to the range-topping coupe-cabrio.

Reports indicate that, far from the IS C replacing the aging SC 430, a clean-slate successor to the big roadster is in the planning stages. Because the SC has been around so long, Toyota's designers and engineers are reportedly going back to the drawing board. What they're apparently coming up with eschews the current model's complex folding hard top - one of the first on the market after the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 Spyder and Mercedes SLK - in favor of a simpler, lighter folding soft top.

With a new SC 430, an IS F convertible and a potential LF-A roadster all in the pipeline, the forecast looks sunny for Lexus.

[Source: Car and Driver]

REPORT: Lexus preparing soft-top SC430 successor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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