Daily Slideshow: Could the Lexus SC Really Make a Comeback?
Does the arrival of a new Toyota Supra mean an SC revival is right behind it?
Return of the Mack?
Without question, Lexus fans miss the SC. Well, maybe not the highly refined, super soft later model, but most certainly the early SC300. Back in its day, the SC300 shared a platform with the much-beloved Toyota Supra, making it quite the performer. So now that the Supra is making a triumphant return, will the SC be far behind it?
Two Way Proposition?
It's fair to wonder what sort of plans Toyota has with its new Supra platform. No automaker invests big time money into these sorts of things without also using said new platform in at least one or two other vehicles. But in this case, Toyota has teamed up with BMW to co-develop the Supra. So will the new sports car platform be limited to just two models?
Connecting the Dots
In case you haven't noticed, sports cars aren't exactly selling like hotcakes these days. Which is why it makes sense for Toyota to team up with another automaker to build one. This cuts not only the investment in a new platform but the risk as well. Bringing back the Supra-like SC300 would make some sense, especially since the rumored top-tier engine offering is a 3.0-liter inline-six, just like the original!
Changing Times
The SC300 doesn't quite have the rabid fanbase that the Supra enjoys, but it's still a very popular car today. Clean, used examples bring good money in the secondary market, as they should. But after the Supra died and the SC became the favored ride of wealthy older folks, its reputation took a bit of a hit.
Making a Case
So does it make sense for Lexus to bring back the SC as a proper luxury sports car, like the original? Well, the automaker already offers a pair of coupes in the RC and LC. Those two cover the price spectrum as well, with base RCs going for around $40k and the LC starting out at over $92k.
Room for More?
Does that mean that there's room for a third coupe in the lineup, especially given the sales decline of cars in general in recent years? Well, maybe. The original LC concept, the LF-LC, borrowed styling cues from the original SC, leading many to believe that it would become that model's heir apparent. But instead, it became a much more expensive grand touring machine.
Dollars and Sense
That leaves the RC. As much as we like the coupe, Lexus isn't selling a ton of them. Replacing it with a proper, Supra-based SC actually makes a ton of sense. Plus, Lexus can ride the Toyota hype wagon with it, positioning the car as an affordable, luxurious, sporty two-door for the younger set. And in the process, Toyota has another way to sell its new platform. Call us crazy, but we hope this actually happens!
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