GS69

Breaking:
Lexus Working on a Hybrid Successor to the SC430

As you may know already Lexus confirmed the fact that it will end the production of the SC430 luxury hardtop convertible in July.

The model was not quite a success and one reason could be that it has mostly been unchanged except for some special edition models, for almost a decade. The demand for the Lexus SC430 has steadily declined since 2002, when Lexus sold 14,462 vehicles. Back in 2009, less than 1,000 SC430s were sold, with 720 of them sold in the US. The vehicle was powered by a 4.3-liter V8 capable to deliver 288hp and 317 pound-feet of torque, enough to push the car from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and to an electronically limited top speed of 149 mph. Now, we just found out from Japan’s Best Car magazine that Lexus is currently working on a hybrid successor of the Lexus SC430, despite the poor sales of the model. Sources confirmed the fact that the new car will receive a V6 engine paired with 2 electric motors which will deliver a total output of over 300 hp. Also, the car is expected to deliver a fuel economy of over 50 mpg.

TooCoolSC

Coming out with a hybrid model, "despite poor sales?" Doesn't make sense to me. If they are going to increase sales, they must tweak the car both inside and out, IMO.

This is the same site that says the 430 is going to have a soft top in 2012. Are we to believe both of these stories are true?

http://www.4wheelsnews.com/lexus-pre...-of-the-sc430/