TTAC Photochop: New Lexus SC

by Andrei Avarvarii

March 10th, 2008 11:44 AM

I used to detest Lexus' styling– if you want to call it that. The SC was just one of many derivative, disgusting designs. That all changed in 2005, when the beta "L-finesse" produced the magnificent second IS. The 2007 LS revealed that the IS was no accident. (Maserati Quattroporte aside, I consider the Lexus LS the world's best-looking mass-produced luxury sedan.) We can now dare and dream that the third generation SC will bring us the rough-sporty side of the "L-finesse" philosophy. My rendering operates from the principle that the new convertible should ditch the LF-A concepts' over-dramatic air-intakes. And an an increased wheelbase is a must for the new SC; it needs to blow the 3-Series convertible out of the proverbial water. Design-wise, I'm thinking it will…

[For more Avarvarii photochopistry, click here]

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4 of 9 comments

Dean on Mar 10, 2008

Looks very sharp, although I agree with akatsuki that it looks like a potential IS convertible more than a 2+2 SC replacement. If Lexus insists on carrying the SC I'd like to see it move to a strict 2-seater, with an SC-F version with, oh, 450 HP or so. Then hire Andreii to design the IS convertible!

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Jason on Mar 10, 2008

This may look better than the current SC, but I never quite understood the SC anyway. It's ugly and bulbous and squat. Less than 300 HP. With a starting price of over $65K?? I just don't get it. Why is it so expensive?

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Johnson on Mar 10, 2008
Jason: This may look better than the current SC, but I never quite understood the SC anyway. It’s ugly and bulbous and squat. Less than 300 HP. With a starting price of over $65K?? I just don’t get it. Why is it so expensive? Why is the Benz SL so expensive, or why is the 6 Series so expensive? The SC430 is a bargain compared to either of them. Or what about the Cadillac XLR? Why is that so expensive? It offers a horrible interior not to mention mediocre quality, an exterior fit for the 80s, and an uncomfortable ride. You can say the BMW or Benz have a panache to them, but the XLR has very little going for it. Fact is, ALL cars in this class are expensive, but the SC remains the bargain of the class. Also, question to Andrei Avarvarii: why photoshop the LF-A as the next SC? Lately I've noticed A LOT of websites saying that the LF-A is going to be the next SC. Fact is, this is simply NOT true. The LF-A is going to be a supercar, a halo car for all of Toyota and for the Lexus brand. The next SC will not be related to the LF-A.

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Andrei Avarvarii on Mar 10, 2008

@ Johnson What are we doing here are "photochops", which, believe it or not, are based on photos of existing cars. Sometimes the changes are so dramatic that no one can tell what was the original car. Some other times such drastic changes are not justified. This representation of the SC is indeed blending the production IS with the LF-A Concept. And if we reflect on that a little bit, mixing a beautiful sedan with a futuristic roadster in order to obtain a four seater convertible might actually make sense. You are right that the LF-A is not replacing the SC. The LF will be a two seater supercar. After discontinuing the current SC I am sure that Lexus will issue a new 4-seats cabriolet, they have all the reasons they need to do that. Whether they will call it SC or IS convertible is just marketing, but I'll go for SC.

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