KILLERGS4

Could be launched in the spring of 2013
Lexus is scheduled to introduce the redesigned GS 350 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, but a new report is indicating the company is also considering a coupe variant.

Details are limited, but product planning manager Ben Mitchell told Inside Line, "We're really trying to increase the emotional qualities of our brand. We want to emphasize exterior styling and dynamics." He also added the company is conducting a "...fairly active study of coupe opportunities."

If the model is eventually approved for production, it would take the place of the SC 430 and compete with the Audi A5/S5, BMW 6-Series and Mercedes E-Class coupe. Additionally, we can expect it to feature a 3.5-liter V6 and a starting price of approximately $50,000.

Source: Inside Line


Read more: http://www.worldcarfans.com/11107253...#ixzz1TDjKK9i8

KILLERGS4

they still need to make a True Coupe with the SC430, or that would be a dissapointment having only GS and IS coupes. SC gots to compete with the SL550..

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...-pics-203.html

KILLERGS4

that thread is too damn HUGE

rominl

iTrader: (4)

this would be great, finally a larger coupe (hopefully not just hardtop)

mmarshall

Agreed. I hope they do a better job on this one than they did on the 2Gen SC430, which, despite its stunning interior, had two big problems. First, there was no less-expensive SC350 version....you were stuck with the V8 and the 61K base-price. Second, you were also stuck with that odd-looking (IMO) Audi-TT-like styling and the trick fold-down hardtop (no coupe-version), with a completely useless rear seat.

Gojirra99

Needs to look VERY different from the 4GS sedan to be appealing ........

Gojirra99

Amen, a true two-seater new SC hardtop convertible would be ideal, and no 6-cylinder engines at least for N.America to make it more exclusive

mmarshall

Why no 6? That, as I see it, was one of the problems with the 2Gen SC. The standard V8 and folding-top made it so expensive (61K to start) that a lot of people who wanted one probably couldn't afford it. For what the 2Gen SC ran, you could get a brand-new LS.

(Welcome back, Andrew, BTW......you don't seem to have been posting much in CAR CHAT).

Gojirra99

It sold just as well as the first generation in numbers despite being more expensive, with more competition, the real sales numbers does not support your opinion about the lack of V6's and useful back seats. I do agree it may appeal to a different crowd(nothing wrong with that s long as it still sells well, which it did for the first few years), although some have both first and second generation.

mmarshall

OK...I'll respect your views on that, but I know people who kept their 1Gen model SCs longer than they had intended to, simply because they couldn't stomach the 2Gen model. I myself was a big fan of the 1Gen model, and, when I bought my IS300, had considered a GS300.

Gojirra99

There are very few real owners of the SC430, or SL550, for that matter, who really wants a lesser V6 to dilute its image, in North America, when you pay that much for a car, you want it to be relatively exclusive. It's not a problem at all, and you can see why MB does not offer the 6 cylinder SL in North America, even if it's available in other parts of the world. They certainly are not worried they are losing sales here because of no SL350 ....

mmarshall

Here in America, people who cannot afford an SL500 or 550 often get the smaller 2-seat SLK, which actually comes with a supercharged four, much less a 6.

Lexuslvr91

Isn't the future SC supposed to be an LS based coupe complete with the optional hybrid drivetrain of the LS6000Lh?

Gojirra99

They are not the same car, the SL is more spacious and luxurious than the SLK, it's in a different class, I personally find SLK to be too small for me, while the SL is very spacious and comfortable. Plus the SLK is still nowhere near as iconic as the SL

If rumours of a GS coupe is true, I am all for a 6 cylinder GS coupe available for the coupe as in the sedan, but it's a different model class.