After 9 years of, lets face it, not so successful history, Lexus will end SC430’s production. And the last units to be offered will come as a special edition: SC430 Platinum Edition.

This special edition will be distinguished by xenon headlights, metallic paint, a rear spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels in six-spoke design. On the interior it will get air conditioning, electrically adjustable seats, a big audio system with CD changer and nine speakers and a navigation system with maps for Europe.

Lexus announced no successor for the SC430, so we guess the IS Convertible will just have to be enough.

Lexus SC430 Platinum Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 26 March 2010 14:00 EST.

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The third generation RX 350 made its debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. First launched in 1998, the RX 350 comes completely redesigned and will continue to set new benchmarks in areas that have made it the best-selling luxury utility vehicle: innovation, styling, performance, utility and comfort. The luxury SUV is available in two versions: AWD and FWD, with prices starting at $39,025 and $37,625 respectively.

Under the hood, the 2010 RX350 offers an improved 275-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an electrically controlled, sequential-shift six-speed transaxle. The all-wheel-drive version will feature an Active Torque Control AWD system that optimizes torque depending on driving conditions, resulting in improved efficiency and performance.

The luxury SUV features a strong stance and powerful new body design with the goal of enhancing comfort and maneuverability. The inverted-trapezoid design in the front and the horizontally integrated rear are incorporated together via a pronounced shoulder along the RX’s profile. Stylish molding around the side windows and at the base of the doors provides low-profile strength.

It sits on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and comes with a selection of luxury and sport option packages, which include features like Lexus’ exclusive Mark Levinson® Surround Sound system, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, dynamic radar cruise control, and a Sports Package featuring a sport-tuned suspension.

Press release after the jump.

Lexus RX 350 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 17 March 2010 12:00 EST.

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The Lexus SC430 luxury convertible is entering the 2010 model year with more standard technologies. It is now on sale at a price of $67,505.

The SC’s sleek style is enhanced by a low-profile front grille surrounded by chrome. The aggressive front bumper, projector-lens headlamps and stylish rear combination LED taillamps add to its fluid design. It comes equipped with iPod/USB Connectivity, Streaming Audio, Lexus Navigation System and Mark Levinson Premium Audio System.

The 2010 Lexus SC430 features an all-aluminum construction, and is powered by a 4.3-liter engine that produces 288 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in a remarkable 5.8 seconds. The engine is mated to a six-speed Sequential-Shift automatic transmission. The sequential-shifting capability enhances performance by allowing the driver to nudge the gearshift forward or backward. It works in conjunction with the Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i), which compensates for uphills, downhills and headwinds, even adapting shift-timing to the driver’s acceleration habits.

Press release after the jump.

Lexus SC430 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 November 2009 09:25 EST.

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The Lexus LF-A has already established itself as one of the fastest machines in the world, but judging from the reception it’s gotten in its native land, the LF-A is just as fast in selling out. Reports out of Japan says that Lexus’ new supercar is becoming such a must-have that all 165 units of the car allotted for the Land of the Rising Sun have already been tagged faster than anyone would have ever expected.

Unlike the agreement in this side of the world – Lexus won’t be selling LF-As in North America, but rather will be leasing them to prospective customers – the LFAs in Japan are as free game as sushi on a Saturday night. That means that if you’re a wealthy Japanese with enough dough in tow, you can make an outright purchase of this 500-off supercar for a price of 37.5 million Yen – roughly around $410,000.

Now that 165 of the LFAs have all but been gobbled up, it remains to be seen how fast the remaining 335 cars will be snatched up. Suffice to say, it’s looking like Lexus’ new supercar is just as fast off the track as it is on it.

Lexus LF-A already sold out in Japan originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 15 January 2010 11:00 EST.

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Lexus recently unveiled the compact hybrid LF-Ch Concept earlier this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The forward thinking hatchback is a preview as to what the future of luxury will be all about, set to compete head to head with other efficient space saving luxury vehicles like the the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 when the LF-Ch makes its scheduled debut sometime in 2012.

In an official statement, Lexus General Manager Mark Templin said that “There is a group of buyers growing up now who won’t buy cars by the pound. We have already seen a structural shift to the smaller and lower-priced segments of the luxury market over the last couple years.” The compact premium segment has been strong in congested urban areas for years, especially in Europe. The challenge that not only Lexus but a host of other automakers are setting for themselves is how to get the American market to warm up to the idea of paying mare and getting less. One of the steps that will most likely be taken when the LF-Ch becomes production ready is the use of a conventional power train in order to pass the savings along to the customer, but with any success you can expect Toyota to release a hybrid versions shortly after.

Lexus LF-Ch Concept could be going into production by 2012 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 23 November 2009 15:00 EST.

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