LAS VEGAS, Nov 7 — A roundup of the most interesting, intriguing and exciting concept and limited run production cars that made their global debut at this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas this week.
Mopar Dodge Challenger GT AWD Concept
It might not have the 600hp+ grunt of the Hellcat, but the 5.7-litre V8 does come with Mopar’s Scat Pack 3 Performance and crucially, that power goes to all four wheels, all of the time, so more of it can be used, rain or shine. And all of the improvements are covered by the Dodge warranty, or would be if it wasn’t just a concept, for the moment at least.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost by Bisimoto
The Mustang was the single most popular car at this year’s event. Therefore making a statement was pretty difficult. Nevertheless, through sheer engineering capabilities, Bisimoto managed to rise above the crowd by somehow cranking up this car’s 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine sufficiently to output 900hp. Crazy.
Hyundai Bisimoto Engineering Tucson
Bisimoto’s skills were in strong demand at this year’s show and the company worked similar physics-defying magic on the humble Hyundai Tucson, getting its standard powerplant to output 700hp and giving it a decidedly no-nonsense look.
All-New Shelby American F-150
As with the Mustang, pickups and the Ford F-Series in particular stretch as far as the eye can see at SEMA. However, what makes the latest Shelby stand out are its performance (700hp), its styling — scary — and its availability. This monster trunk is not a concept and is up for order.
Hennessey Venom GT
Hennessey Performance brought three phenomenal vehicles to this year’s show, but the one that made onlookers’ jaws drop the most is the 2016 Venom GT which now delivers 1451hp and a projected top speed of 280mph. It even uses a GPS-assisted traction control system to make sure the tires can put all of those horses down.
Toyota Ultimate Utility Vehicle
A Frankenstein car created by sticking a minivan on top of a pickup chassis, the Ultimate Utility Vehicle is built to go anywhere. It has suicide front doors and sliding rear doors, an integrated command center with a satellite uplink, flat panel monitors and of course, all-around night vision.
Acura Galpin Auto Sports 2016 ILX
Taking an entry-level sportscar and making it a premium vehicle, the Galpin car has a three-stage stardust yellow paint finish, new suspension, wheels and shocks and a much nicer exhaust note. Inside the color scheme continues with yellow contrasted stitching on the seats and panels.
Nissan TITAN XD ‘Measured for Success’
A truck for SEMA members by SEMA members, no fewer than 13 companies helped Nissan shape and customise this TITAN XD, against the clock in order to get it ready for its big unveiling at the start of this year’s show. Everything from suspension and bumpers to air intake, manifolds and brightwork have been customised, modified or reworked.
LM3D Swim
This Local Motors creation represents the cutting edge of 3D printing and represents the company’s next big step towards creating a truly homologated series of cars that potentially anyone with the right software and hardware at home could create themselves by doing little more than hitting “Control P”.
Chevrolet Corvette
The Z06 is the most potent street-legal Corvette available and the C7.R edition takes things even closer to that line where the road stops and the track starts. It gets carbon ceramic brakes, special tires, a 0-60 time of 2.95 seconds and unique exterior colour scheme complete with carbon accents and internal and external graphics. Just 650 numbered examples will be built. — AFP-Relaxnews
