Autoblog

Lexus LF-CC gets green light, Evoque rival under consideration

Chris Paukert — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

While wandering the floor at this week's LA Auto Show, we had a bit of an epiphany at the Lexus stand. The traditionally stodgy Toyota premium outlet is really starting to come into its own in terms of exciting design. And not just with production models like the excellent new GS sedan. At the front of the display, a triangular formation of plinths was a feast for the eyes - the head was formed by the LFA Nurburgring Package supercar, flanked on either side by the company's outré LF-LC and LF-CC concept cars.

So consider it welcome news on our end that the LF-CC concept shown above has apparently been given the production green light, with a projected arrival by 2015. So says Autocar, which quotes an unnamed source at Lexus willing to confirm that a senior engineer has been tasked with the project. The British publication suggests that the production version of the 2012 Paris Motor Show star will probably be built in both coupe and convertible formats and ride atop the automaker's new modular rear-wheel drive architecture. Power is expected to be an evolution of the GS 350h's hybrid drivetrain.

In other news, that same shadowy source at Lexus has reportedly confirmed that the Japanese luxury brand is "seriously studying" offering a small SUV in the mold of the stylish Range Rover Evoque from Land Rover, though no further details are given. Lexus' own RX crossover range has long been a massive hit for the brand, leaving many industry analysts scratching their heads as to why the automaker hasn't already expanded its crossover offerings to include both larger and smaller formats.

Lexus LF-CC gets green light, Evoque rival under consideration originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus rumored to replace SC430 with 500-hp LC600h hybrid super-coupe

Noah Joseph — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Hybrid, Performance, Lexus, Rumormill, Luxury

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

Hard as it may be to imagine from its dated styling, the Lexus SC430 was once considered to be a halo vehicle. Well, maybe not quite, but its folded hardtop self was enough to bring at least a few customers into showrooms. Today, that job belongs to the LFA supercar, but in between the two models there's a gulf wide enough to fill with a few hundred million gallons of crude oil. (What, too soon?) Now, we wouldn't go so far as to call the current SC a disaster, but suffice it to say it could use a replacement. Badly.

According to a new story from Motor Trend, that replacement is on the way, and looks like it could be worth the wait. Dubbed LC600h, the new two-door is reportedly slated to borrow its underpinnings from the next-generation LS flagship sedan. A folding hardtop is still expected to be part of the mix (as it has been on every convertible Lexus ever made), but don't go dismissing this as a lump of mush: According to MT, an updated version of the LS600h sedan's 5.0-liter hybrid V8 packing as much as - wait for it - 500 horsepower is slated to replace the SC's lackluster 288-horsepower 4.3-liter. What's more, it's expected to drive all four wheels. That's nearly twice as much power as the model it's slated to replace, and what we around here call "progress."

Try not to get too riled up, though, as MT's sources don't expect the LC to come along until after the next-gen LS sedan is introduced in 2014. And that's assuming the economy and the fortunes of parent company Toyota cooperate enough for it to mount an assault on Mercedes SL territory.

Gallery: 2009 Pebble Beach Edition Lexus SC430

[Source: Motor Trend]

Lexus rumored to replace SC430 with 500-hp LC600h hybrid super-coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adios! Lexus SC430 to be euthanized in July

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Lexus, Luxury

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

It was rumored in January and now it's been confirmed by Automobile Magazine: Lexus will kill its slow-selling SC430 this July and it will reportedly return in 2014 packing a hybrid electric drivetrain and a new V8.

Aside from a handful of special edition models, the SC430 has soldiered on largely unchanged for the better part of a decade, and with less the 1,000 SCs sold last year and a final run of around 300 slated to be built in 2010, its demise will likely go unnoticed save a few octogenarians that pick up a new Pebble Beach Edition each summer.

According to Automobile, the next generation SC is slated to arrive sometime in 2014, packing a 5.0-liter V8 and a hybrid drivetrain that should be good for 400-500 horsepower. The Lexus SC600h - as it's tentatively dubbed - would be a fitting replacement to the SuperGT racer that's been running in the Japanese touring car series for the last several years - unless Lexus decides the LFA is a more worthy combatant.

Gallery: 2009 Pebble Beach Edition Lexus SC430

[Source: Automobile]

Adios! Lexus SC430 to be euthanized in July originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach Edition LS 600h L and SC 430

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Hybrid, Sedan, Lexus

Click either image for a high-res gallery.

Another year, another limited edition Lexus. But this year's Pebble Beach Edition SC430 (the sixth consecutive variant) is joined by the first-ever LS 600h L Pebble Beach Edition. We know, the excitement is palpable.

Only 50 LS 600h Ls will be made available in Callaway Golf Experience, Travel Package or Epicurean Encounter trim levels, swathed in Truffle Mica exterior paint and featuring two-tone Alabaster and black leather trim interior, with Dark Grey Bird's-eye maple wood trim. Both models receive all the prerequisite badging to stand apart from the rest of the Lexi in the golf-course parking lot, and are equipped with a host of standard equipment that you can read all about in the press release after the jump.

One of the 300 2009 SC 430s can be yours this September, while the Pebble Beach Edition LS 600h L will hit dealers the following month.

Gallery: 2009 Pebble Beach Edition LS 600h L

Gallery: 2009 Pebble Beach Edition Lexus SC430

Continue reading Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach Edition LS 600h L and SC 430

Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach Edition LS 600h L and SC 430 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus cancels next-gen SC, Toyota cancels next Avalon

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:41:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Supercars, Lexus, Toyota

Sales of the bulbous Lexus SC 430, one of the vehicles that kick-started the current hardtop convertible fad in the U.S., have slowed so significantly that Toyota's luxury brand has reportedly canceled its replacement. The four-place, V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicle never fit well into any specific niche, as it boasted neither the sportiness of the ragtop Jaguar XK and Porsche 911, nor the snob appeal of the BMW 6 Series. Through the first six months of this year, Lexus sold only 1,230 SC's, down 40% from last year. What fans the Lexus sport coupes/convertible does have need not worry, however, as the brand will be launching the much more potent (and substantially more impressive) LF-A supercar at some point in the future.

According to Inside Line, the SC isnt the only Toyota product without a future. The Avalon entry-level ~~Buick~~ luxury sedan is also on the chopping block. Fans of the ~~boring~~ unpretentious Avalon can instead look forward to an extended-length version of the Camry sedan to take its spot in Toyota's U.S. lineup.

Gallery: 2007 Lexus SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition

[Source: Inside Line]

Lexus cancels next-gen SC, Toyota cancels next Avalon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another year, another Pebble Beach Lexus SC 430

Alex Nunez — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Lexus, Misc. Auto Shows

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

It's limited to 360 cars, and they'll become available late this month. If you simply must know more, follow the jump for Lexus' release or check out the gallery below for additional photos of the car.

[Source: Lexus]

Gallery: 2007 Lexus SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition

Continue reading Another year, another Pebble Beach Lexus SC 430

Another year, another Pebble Beach Lexus SC 430 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That time of year, again: Lexus SC430 Pebble Beach Edition

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 09:54:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Marketing/Advertising, Lexus, Misc. Auto Shows

The automotive pornucopia that is the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is gearing up as you read this. Tents are being erected, vehicles are having their 108th coat of polish applied and Lexus is doing what has become tradition this time of year, releasing a special edition of its alimony-powered SC430.

The fourth iteration of the Pebble Beach Edition hardtop convertible is a way of celebrating the partnership between Lexus and the Pebble Beach Company. What that relationship consists of can be left to your imagination, but the outcome is more opulence, more badging and more exclusive colors. Starfire Pearl coats the exterior, where inside, one of 400 possible owners will find Pimento Red leather interior with Bird's Eye (read: black) maple trim. Eighteen-inch G-Spiders are fitted within the wheel wells and a small, err, sleek spoiler is fitted to the rear boot lid.

If you really can't help yourself or your divorce settlement finally went through, the limited edition coupe will be available this September.

(Click through for more pics)

Continue reading That time of year, again: Lexus SC430 Pebble Beach Edition

That time of year, again: Lexus SC430 Pebble Beach Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Aug 2006 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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