Lexus SC430 Production to Cease in July

Yes indeed, the car that you didn’t even know Lexus still built is finally marching into the grave. Although rumoured earlier this year, Lexus has finally confirmed that the disgracefully-aging SC430 sports coupe/convertible will cease production in July.

However, the SC badge is apparently only taking a sabbatical, set to return in 2014 as a hybrid-powered sports coupe/convertible with an all new V8 under its hood. By all reports, the new car will be dubbed the SC600h; a moniker that remains in line with the nouveau Lexus naming strategy of using a numerical figure representative of the non-hybrid powerplant that would be required to match the hybrid’s power output. Using this naming strategy as a clue, critics expect the new SC to boast a 5.0 litre V8 or a variant of the LF-A’s V10, and boast between 500 and 600 horsepower.