Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing: Lexus SC gets Mercedes-Benz AMG Makeover...

I really should hate this as much as that '95 Thunderbird with the '50s Ford front end, but I don't.

Maybe it's because this Z30 Toyota Soarer, otherwise known as the first generation Lexus SC in the U.S., with a Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM-esque front end and SL AMG rear end is so well done. Heck, it's a lot more convincing than those Miata-based replicas we see so often.

Of course, it's not all good. The window line is more E46 BMW M3 than CLK and the rear end looks more like a S15 Nissan 200SX than it does a Mercedes-Benz. And there's all that jiff about besmirching the manufacturer's name with this cheap knockoff, and ruining the original car.

Though it has to be said the Z30 Soarer was kinda boring to look at. It had those rounded, utterly inoffensive designed-by-committee looks that most Japanese cars of the '90s seemed to have. So if anything, this is a noticeable improvement.

Am I a heretic? Tell us in the comments below.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Minds Farm

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Lexus Introduces Pebble Beach Edition LS 600h L and SC 430

Apart from the sixth SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition Lexus also introduced the first-ever LS 600h L Pebble Beach Edition at the Concours d'Elegance classic car show in California. The limited production LS 600h L gets a unique exterior/interior colour combination with a Truffle Mica exterior paint combined with a two-tone Alabaster and Black leather trim interior with Dark Grey Bird's-eye maple wood trim. Additional styling cues include new 19-inch, five-spoke alloys, Pebble Beach interior badging, premium black floor mats with stainless steel badging, and blue illuminated scuff plates. -Continued

As for the new Pebble Beach Edition SC 430, the coupe-convertible receives a new exterior/interior colour combination with a Mercury Metallic exterior paint and a two-tone Ecru and Black leather trim interior with Black Bird's-eye maple wood trim. The special edition SC 430 also gets brushed chrome badging, black floor mats, a color-keyed rear spoiler, 18-inch alloys, and white illuminated scuff plates.

The 2009 SC 430 and LS 600h L Pebble Beach Edition vehicles will go on sale in the States in September and October 2008, respectively.

Lexus LS 600h L Pebble Beach Edition

Lexus SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition

Next Gen Lexus SC430 & Toyota Avalon Axed

According to a report from Inside Line citing unnamed Toyota sources, the Japanese carmaker has canceled the next generation Lexus SC430 Coupe-Cabriolet and may put on ice the successor for the Toyota Avalon Sedan. The reason for the cancelation of the SC series is poor sales as through the first six months of this year, Lexus sold only 1,230 SC's, down more than 40% from last year. But Lexus fans shouldn’t be worried as the luxury carmaker plans to introduce the high-end LF-A supercar in 2009 or 2010.

As for the Avalon, Toyota is considering to replace its largest sedan in the North American market with a long-wheel base version of the next generation Camry which is due in 2011.

Via: Straightline

2008 Lexus SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition

At the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Lexus Fashion Preview on Friday, Aug. 17, Lexus will unveil a limited edition version of its SC 430 Coupe-Convertible. Dubbed “Pebble Beach”, the special edition SC 430 will be available in a limited production of 360 vehicles with sales kicking off in late August. Don’t expect any surprises though as the basic difference between the SC 430 “Pebble Beach” and a standard SC 430 is the exclusive exterior/interior color combination along with a few chrome badges here and there. -Press release and high-res pics after the jump

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

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.