Photochops

Included as part of Motor Trend‘s Lexus GS-F rumor coverage was this Holiday Auto Magazine rendering of a possible look for the next generation SC:

This sketch manages borrows all the right elements from the existing lineup and puts together with some real potential, and the windshield-to-IS-F-air-vents is just brilliant, but I can’t imagine for one second that SC will be sporting the same grille as the current LS hybrid.

Motor Trend also elaborated on the rumor first spotted in Autocar:

The other star attraction in the upcoming Lexus lineup will be the next generation SC 600h, which is due to be unveiled in mid-2014. While the current SC is scheduled to go out of production in July of this year, the new SC coupe will resurface powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 hybrid system that drives the rear wheels. Set to lock horns with the Mercedes SL, the new luxury two-door is also expected to employ the GS’s rear-wheel torque split unit.

It’s a safe bet that the next-generation SC will be offered with the same engine options as the LS, which would naturally mean using the LS 600hL’s 5.0L hybrid system—still, I can’t believe that the next-generation SC won’t be available until 2014.

[Source: Motor Trend]

As part of their article on the Lexus LF-Ch today, German newspaper BILD did a little photochopping and came up with a blue production rendering, with real side mirrors and some minor softening of the front-end—I can see the production model retaining a variation on the concept’s grille, but think the front bumper will be see significant reworking.

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With the Lexus SC 430 in its final months of production, our attention turns to what happens next—and Top Speed is more than happy to oblige with this rendering of the next-generation SC put together by photochopper Avarvarii:

This rendering hits a lot of the right notes—the next generation SC has a lot of potential depending on how much of the LFA’s design it borrows—and I especially like the LFA front-end with a more traditional grille. The rendering gets a little dull in the side profile and the rear, but the size is right if the 3SC is moved up to truly compete with the Mercedes SL & BMW 6-Series.

(I’m also hoping for a fixed-roof coupe along with a convertible, rather than one or the other.)

[Source: Top Speed]

Dutch website Autogespot has put together a photochop of a production Lexus LFA Roadster, merging elements of the final production car and the 2008 LFA roadster concept:

How far of a stretch would it be to expect an LFA Roadster to follow the LFA coupe? It would certainly help to recoup the V10 engine development cost, but there’s also the expense of developing a production roadster—along with usual price increase that goes along with having no roof.

Still, if Lexus has buyers for all 500 LFA coupes plus a waiting list, finding 500 buyers for a Roadster version may not be a stretch at all.

[Source: Autogespot (Thanks Safeer!)]

With the release of the 2010 Lexus SC 430, we’ve likely seen the end of the second generation Sports Coupe—so what’s next? Could it look something like this?

Found in a thread on Club Lexus, this unsourced Photochop shows the potential of the third-generation SC. Sure, there’s some awkward creases in the hood & side profile, and the overall look strays too close to Jaguar, but the rendering’s front-end is a very successful merging of the first & second generation SC designs. I also like the larger size and the LF-A-inspired front lights.

I’m not usually impressed by photochops, but this has all the right elements. Lexus could do worse than follow some of this rendering’s design cues.

[Source: Club Lexus]

An image of what’s claiming to be the 2010 Lexus LS 600hL facelift has popped up (click for a larger image):

The most obvious change is the front grille, and the front bumper intakes have also been reworked and would resemble both the GS & IS designs. The turn signals are also integrated into the rear view mirrors.

I have strong doubts this is legitimate—the grille lacks the trademark chrome trim seen on every current Lexus refresh, and there’s no way an LS would come off the factory floor with gaps like the ones seen between the grille & hood. And where are the parking assist sensors?

It wouldn’t surprise me to find out that the 2010 LS hybrid was a facelift similar to this image, but I don’t think we’re looking at the final version here, but more likely a photochop from a Japanese magazine.

For comparison’s sake, here’s the 2009 model:

[Via: Club Lexus (Thanks Josh!)]