Lexus have announced that they are ending the production of the Lexus SC430 in July 2010. Link to PRESS RELEASE (in Japanese).

A typical move of car manufacturers when the end of the model is in sight is to release a limited edition variant of it. Lexus proves this theory true by releasing a limited edition SC430 they’re calling “The Eternal Jewel“.

The Eternal Jewel SC430 will be a limited production of only 200 units and will start hitting the dealerships by March – at least in Japan.

Exclusive color options and contrasting body color folding hard tops shown above are exclusive to the Eternal Jewel model.

New 14 interior color combinations will also be exclusively available for this model.

A serial numbered badge with the “The Eternal Jewel” logo will be affixed right by the gear shift console.

Specs of the SC430 special edition “The Eternal Jewel”
Engine 3UZ-FE (V8 · 4.3L)
6 Super ECT: Super intelligent 6-speed automatic transmission
2WD (FR)
Price 7,500,000 Yen ($82,223.32)

Now in light of this news, how would this affect the SC430 being campaigned in the Super GT series?

Would we see a NEW Super GT racecar from Toyota in 2011? Like maybe the LF-A GT?? Hmmm.

LF-A GT by: TRICPICS

Well, there are no official word from Toyota just yet. Their Super GT SC430 racing in the GT500 class is very successful.

Even at the recent test session in Suzuka just couple of days ago proved that they still have plenty of juice left. All five SC430 took the top 5 spots in the fastest lap time beating out the NISMO GT-Rs and the brand new HSV-010 GT in the morning test session.

In addition, when Toyota ended the production of the JZA80 Supra in 2002, they continued to campaigned the Super GT Supra for another four more years.

Which was then replaced by the Lexus SC430 in 2006.

It will be awesome to see an LF-A GT competing side by side with the HSV-010 GT though….

Above is a quick photoshop using my buddy Iain’s LF-A GT pasted behind the HSV-010 GT.

source: lexus.jp