While Toyota was originally planning to launch a replacement for the car sometime next year, inside sources have revealed to Edmunds that those plans were subsequently pushed back to mid-2011 and now, in fact, have been canceled.
The new car was meant to be based on the same RWD platform as the upcoming LFA supercar due next year.
According to the source, the Lexus SC is not the only car Toyota is planning to axe. Executives are reportedly mulling whether to drop the next-generation Avalon and replace it with a long-wheelbase Camry instead. The stretched Camry is being considered for North America as well as the Middle-East and China, but it won’t arrive until 2011 at the earliest if given the green light.
Reader Comments
Sun Jul 13 2008 9:35 AM
Andrew says
It's probably a good thing.
When a car goes from being "luxocoupe perfection - possibly the best car on the planet" according to Car and Driver describing the SC400, to an also-ran that doesn't compete in its class, IN ONE GENERATION, something went seriously wrong.
Sun Jul 13 2008 10:06 AM
chris says
I've only ever seen one of these cars once in real life.
I remember hamster having some harsh words about it on TG as well.. then again he said the mazda3 was a POS when it first came outl... so his opinion isnt the strongest...
Sun Jul 13 2008 10:24 AM
Gus says
Uninspiring blob. Good riddance.
Sun Jul 13 2008 11:41 AM
Roy says
It looks great in certain colours and the interior is ridiculously nice. The engine is too big, making the car too heavy so handling suffers. Plus there's been an explosion in retractable hardtops. Before the only competition was the MB SLK. Now you can pick up a 335i convertible for about the same price... I know which I'd take.
Sun Jul 13 2008 2:48 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
The fact that it looks like an egg on wheels probably does not help.
Sun Jul 13 2008 8:18 PM
Tyler says
Not surprising... The car was nice but was getting old and too expensive. If Lexus is smart they will create an IS convertible to compete with the 3 series but also create a cheaper LF-A with maybe a 350 or 400 engine to replace the SC and make the current LF-A (with the huge engine) the F model
Mon Jul 14 2008 12:39 AM
Nick says
Too bad, but not too surprising. I think many people were thinking the LF-A was going to be the next 70k SC, not a 250k luxury-performance halo car which is unlikely to sell well in today's environment. With no updates for the SC in a long while, it's not surprising it's going away.
Maybe Nissan will push out a few more GT-R's now, since that car appears to be everything the SC should be currently, if Toyota had wanted it to continue selling.
Mon Jul 14 2008 5:47 AM
HECTOR says
Let me give you a hint about its demise: it has a cassette tape inside.
Mon Jul 14 2008 7:51 AM
Hedorah says
w/ sales so bad they may do it but I would expect to return down the road not unlike the NSX.
Mon Jul 14 2008 8:10 AM
Dane says
Good.... One less ugly sad car on the road....
I have always called that car the "Pacer' of our times.... RIP and never come back....
Mon Jul 14 2008 12:22 PM
Tyler says
Hector so does the GS... Do you call that car a failure?
Mon Jul 14 2008 5:04 PM
christian says
All i can say is about time, This car is so outdated, and has been in need of a redesign for the last 3 years. It is way overpriced for what you get, if anything it should of been axed a year ago.
Thu Sep 11 2008 12:51 PM
Chappy says
i actually drive the SC now....however my lease is up in march '09 and i can't wait! great car, but i'm just so bored with it at this point. The Porsche Carrera S (997) will be my next ride....might not have all the bells and whistles of the SC, but it damn sure will be a blast to drive!
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