Breaking: Lexus working on a hybrid successor to the SC430

If it takes the same development route as the LF-A, this means we will see the next LF-A in 2018?

SC430 just needs a new look and better build quality should be up to Lexus standards.

i have heard a lot of criticisms of the SC430, but build quality is definitely NOT one of them. the SC's build quality is excellent.

totally agree on the build quality of the SC, it definitely was well executed in that aspect. don't know where you're getting your info 63?!?

I forgot that this world is in a complete naive trance. Just because it's a Lexus, no matter what it's ALWAYS superbly built. How many of you have actually sat in an SC430? Perhaps my standard and expectations are too high. I have an LS and it's not even close to the LS in quality. The wood seems cheap among other things. Credibility? I don't care I am just speaking on what I've seen and touched inside that cabin. Lexus can do a lot better. I'm never going to be bias because I own a Lex.

i work for a lexus dealership in portland, oregon and we have had a lot of problems with the SC430 with one customer having his navigation flip out get jammed and caught because the wood separated from the glue and stuck out. we had to take out the dash and go from behind so we didn't damage anything else behind there. it's no sports car and it cant be compared to an SL because it's everything but that. but it's a good soft cruiser for the individuals from mid 40's to 60's (as that is our demographic). agents63 claim is credible i can confirm that. the new sc should be better built with more power and hopefully better style.

I clearly have not? a family member use to own one. The last couple years they have improved it but for the first 3/4 of this generation it hasn't always been glorious. Don't question my motive. I am not bias. I own a Lexus and I know what I need to expect and it wasn't up to par, simple as that. Do you even own a Lexus? stop being a bandwagoner. I waste my time talking to you fanboys that don't know anything. The only sports coupe that is worth noting for quality is the LFA which they put tons of money into its R&D. I'm done here. Next topic for debate please.

Lexus can go three ways with this

1) Make it compete with the Mercedes SL

2) Make it compete with the BMW 6

3) Make it compete with the CLS

I think I would rather see them go with number 2

Ahh!!! The poopoo platter he says. Excellent choice.

dl767captain: you are correct. Toyota benchmarked the BMW E64 650i for the next SC430. The SC430 was supposed to an alternative to a SL, which it failed at miserably just like the Allante and the XLR. Toyota really has no direction for the line. They benchmark a car and make a good copy, but by the time it comes to market it is old as far dynamics or they choke back on what they think a "Lexus" driver wants which is not much in the first place and the intended car is not even competitive in
it's class.

And the people that bought the SC430 are people that don't like convertibles. So a hybrid? Based on which Toyota platform which is less than 10 years old unlike the last SC? And a design which is not based on an upside bathtub?

I think when they say hybrid it won't be so much for efficiency as it will be for instant power, much like the Hybrid GS is about getting V8 power out of a V6

The SC340 needed a refresh long time ago. It drove like a sedan rather than a sport coupe. Hopefully the next car will take some pointers from the GT-R and make it compete with it in the same price range.

pointers from the GT-R ?

I'm sure Toyota has been planning a successor for quite some time. The SC430, as we all know, has not changed for quite some time. I am surprised that they would go after the 6 series. Toyota originally went after the SL when they marketed this car and, to be honest, is a better target. The people who buy an SL would seem to be a closer fit to the people that would buy a new SC.

It's nice to see that Toyota is borrowing Honda's original electric boost idea from the Accord Hybrid that was borrowed from Mitsubishi's E-boost concept car.

Owned an SC430 before some idiot on a phone rear ended me into the car infront...car saved my life. I thought I was buying a sporty car which it was not. However its build quality, subtle relaxed charms and killer
sound system won me over...a great stress reducer. While I prefer a performance oriented two seater my recommendation would be for Lexus to take all its core qualities up a notch and offer a reasonable priced Bentley alternative.