JBrady

Since Lexus abandoned the awesome lines of the 1st gen SC's it became fair game to copy/improve by no less than Mercedes Benz (ok, Daimler Chrysler )

Nevertheless, in 476hp supercharged 5.5 liter SL55 form it is AWESOME. Gotta hand it to the Germans for this one. The technology is outasight...

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=05099463

DIrEctQL

That is silly. With a turbo we can smoke the hell outta that little car. Most people with single turbos run what? 500 hp? at the wheels. Hehehe. Yes, you get what you pay for. If Toyota wanted to make Lexus fast they could. Keep in mind, next Toyota Supra will mostlikely came in two version a V8 Toyota and twin turbo V8 Lexus. Can you say adios little SL?

'S'Low Rider

Now if Lexus had designed this one, I'd be in the queue.

It doesn't follow the design lines of the SC400 but I would have forgiven them that......

Would have had to have sold the house and lived in a tent for the rest of my life to buy one........

http://www.carenthusiast.co.uk/bentley/hunaud.htm

JBrady

Hey, I agree that turbocharging an SC300 can generate a BUNCH of power. Without going into the engine I would say the average RWHP is around 400hp (damn strong compared to around 175rwhp stock).

Nevertheless, this SL has 476hp STOCK. It is already supercharged so the engine management and blower hardware is already in place. It doesn't say but it is probably only running 5-7psi of boost. Tweek it to 15psi or so and watch the dyno groan. Also, MB chopped a BUNCH of weight off the car and includes an awesome active syspension and trick stuff like carbon disc brakes!

All I was saying is that Lexus should've/could've given us a HIPO SC with say a 5 liter engine and evolved the earlier bodystyle rather than the new style. Now if Lexus would only add an AMG like division...

MadMaxSC400

I don't like the turbo 6's for some reason.. I guess i'm just weird. Or old fashioned, I like older v8 muscle cars but can't stand the poor workmanship and handling in american cars. I've always said, if only Toyota or Honda built the American cars with license to change small things we'd have reliable, cheap cruise missles. As it is, I totally agree with jbrady, I think that the SC could have been a bad *** street machine with a big blown V8 and a turbo six to back it up. As it is, I'm waiting to see what Toyota comes up with next. If it's a V8 Supra I'm there the day they start taking deposits.
However, I wouldn't buy that Mercedes because it's probably about 40000 dollars higher than it should be priced, is still somewhat unreliable and has crappy handling. But then, that's just my years of dealing with their cars talking.
And 475 HP from a 340 ci V8 is pretty damn good, although I would bet that a good tuner could have gotten in the neighborhood of 450 N/A. I mean, BMW's 5.0 V8 is 396HP N/A.
hmm...

machinegt

i hope lexus gets their groove on. why 300hp on the sc430's when the merc clk's can get 342 hp stock?

now lexus has to compete with a friggin 476hp stock
merc.

we need that lexus sc550 5.5 liter 500hp now!!!!
(with the body styling influenced from the old sc400/300's not some lame french riveria lady crap)

DIrEctQL

Hmmm, I don't know about you guys, but I am from Europe, and where I come from Mercedes is your average jo car. I can tell that most poeple here drool over the car knowing the car. Hmm, Supercharged 5.5 L V8? yeah, POS. Yes, that 476 hp is not RWHP. Big deal. German engineering is not all that what you think it is. They know what people with money want. That's all.

JBrady

I agree with what you will about Mercedes reliability vs Lexus. Lexus also was building the better looking cars and in fact forced a great deal of change at the German automakers design studios. But now, with the CL500/600 and this beautiful SL, and the new Lexus LS430 looking like a Mercedes it's like WTF???

Wether you are a die hard Lexus ONLY type or appreciate automotive engineering in general the bottom line is we want more POWER. The SC430 has 300hp (not bad) but the AMG 5.5 motors have 342-354hp and 391 lbs of torque. While its not listed the torque on a supercharged 5.5 liter should be around 550 or so :eek: :eek: Mid range torque makes cruising SOOO pleasureable.

And yes, I realize the 476hp is not rear wheel but neither is the Lexus 300hp rating. The Lexus makes around 240rwhp while the SL in question should be around 410rwhp. I for one like to see the competition RAISE the bar. This forces our favorite company to compete. Hmmm.... maybe Lexus will copy the AMG concept, please, please, please...