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Filed under: Motorsports, SEMA, Sports/GTs, Videos, Hyundai
Click above for a high-res gallery of the RMR Genesis Coupe
Rhys Millen Racing's Hyundai Genesis Coupe enjoyed some time in the spotlight at SEMA, but it's hard to see the potential of the new coupe sitting stationary on the show stand. So RMR brought out the Genesis Coupe to take up space in their pit during the Red Bull Drifting World Championship and the crew at Streetfire.net captured some video of the Genesis running around, posing or pics. In the clip, the pilot of the coupe never put his boot down, but it still sounded mean with a deep gurgle and the Turbonetics turbocharger whirring at low rpms. In person, the build also came across as very well constructed with a lot of attention to detail. Regardless of the advertised build time, it was carefully pieced together by a knowledgeable bunch.
Be sure and check out the galleries below for the whole collection of RMR Genesis Coupe images and hit the jump to check out the video.
Gallery: RMR Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Gallery: SEMA 2008: Rhys Millen Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Gallery: RMR Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Continue reading VIDEO: RMR Genesis Coupe runs, turns and poses for pictures
VIDEO: RMR Genesis Coupe runs, turns and poses for pictures originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, SEMA, Minivans/MPVs, Scion, Humor
Click above for high-res gallery of the Scion xB Taco Truck
The 2008 SEMA Show ended last week, but for some inexplicable reason, Toyota forget to mention this little diddy that was supposedly tucked away in a corner of the Las Vegas Convention Center. It is exactly what it's name implies: a Scion xB that's been transformed into a taco truck of all things. Normally SEMA project cars are tuned for superfluous high performance and look like rejects from the Paul Walker Sport Compact Hall of Fame, but the xB Taco Truck can at least do something, i.e. serve that staple of the Mexican diet to legions of hungry lunch goers. From what we can tell, the vehicle uses the xB's platform, keeps the front end and dash and ditches the rest to make room for a stainless steel mobile kitchen. The truck was reportedly built from scratch by Louie Contreras with hand-painted graphics applied by Kenton Parker. Good job guys, it's... um... interesting, and probably the most fuel-efficient taco truck ever made. While it may be good on fuel, the Scion xB Taco Truck will likely be responsible for an entirely different kind of gas if it ever gets pressed into service. Gallery: Scion xB Taco Truck
[Source: Toyota, Carscoop]
Post-SEMA Surprise: The Scion xB Taco Truck! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Motorsports, SEMA, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Shelby
In the hustle and bustle of SEMA last week we missed the announcement that Shelby Automobiles will be sponsoring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motorspeedway in March. The race will actually be lengthened to 427 miles and will be called the 'Shelby 427'. We think it would be more historically appropriate for Shelby to sponsor a road racing event, but the company's proximity to the race track and the better marketing reach make NASCAR a logical choice.
In conjunction with the sponsorship, Shelby will be offering a 427 package for the GT500. Hoping for a 427ci engine conversion? So were we, but prepare to be disappointed. The 427 package will be a simple badge job and will include "Mr. Shelby's personal autograph as well as many other event-related add-ons." Those who purchase the package will also receive race tickets and the possibility to serve as the race's honorary starter. Full details on the race and the 427 upgrade package are in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Shelby]
Continue reading Shelby to sponsor Las Vegas NASCAR race, offer 427 package for GT500
Shelby to sponsor Las Vegas NASCAR race, offer 427 package for GT500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, SEMA, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Videos, Supercars, Dodge
Click above to view video of the Challenger SRT10 after the jump
We left last week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas with a much deeper respect for the Dodge Challenger. We're so used to seeing Mustangs dominate the automotive aftermarket trade show and expected the new Chevy Camaro, which was actually the Official Car of SEMA this year, to make a big splash. But it was the Challenger that was on hand in droves, be it from independent shops and tuners who got their hands on one to play with or Dodge itself, which showed up at SEMA with three Challenger concepts, the most impressive of which was arguably the Challenger SRT10 Concept (the other two were the Challenger Targa and Blacktop). Imbued with the Viper's 8.4L V10 producing 600 horsepower, as well as functional upgrades like a ram air scoop, carbon fiber front splitter, Bilstein shocks and bigger wheels and brakes, the Challenger SRT10 arrived in Vegas ready to do business. Unfortunately, the business at hand was looking pretty in Dodge's display. Thankfully we found this video online of the Challenger SRT10 doing what we want it to: convert solid rubber into a gaseous state. Follow the jump for a video of the Challenger SRT10 not only doing burnouts, but hustling around corners and blasting down straights like it was meant to do.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: Challenger SRT10
Gallery: Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept
[Source: Road2Road.com]
Continue reading VIDEO: Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept... moving and stuff
VIDEO: Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept... moving and stuff originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA, Trucks/Pickups, Ford
Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford concept pickups from SEMA
We managed to track down most of the Ford concept pickups on our last day at SEMA. Hidden across the street, right in the front of the outdoor lot, just under the huge "Built Ford Tough" sign, there they were. We saw the Performance West Striker R F-150 and it's bigger brother Striker F-350, as well as the Street Scene Equipment Lariat that sort of reminded us of a certain bike-branded Ford truck. The F-150 Striker was reminiscent us of the Saleen S331 we sampled last year, and the F-350 was much the same only, uh, more so. We even came across an older Performance West version of the Striker sitting on the main sidewalk in front of the central hall.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford pickup concepts
Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2008: Ford pickup concept gallery originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: SEMA, Wagons/Estates, Etc., Cadillac, Celebrities
Click above for high-res gallery of the Ecto-1
With Halloween behind us and most of the spooks and spectres returned to their natural realm, the Ghostbusters gang had some time to kill and headed over to the Las Vegas Convention Center to check out the excitement of SEMA. Fortunately for them they were given a prime parking spot right outside the hall. (We had to park half mile away or catch a cab.) The Ecto-1 attracted a lot of attention throughout the week, possibly because of the Ray Parker, Jr. soundtrack blaring from its stereo. It was a fan favorite for sure, and one of ours as well.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ecto-1 in Vegas, baby
Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2008: Ecto-1 scares up plenty of attention in Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA, Time Warp, Ford
Click above for high-res gallery of the ThunderFlite Thunderbird
Suzie and Dean Arnold dreamt of building a show car that would evoke the spirit of the dream cars that manufacturers used to build in the '50s and '60s. They decided to use a 1961 Thunderbird as the base vehicle and got long-time collaborator Don Johnson to finalize the design. Then Dean got to work building it. The result is the car you see here. To most of the people passing it at SEMA this week, they probably thought it was a vintage dream car rather than a modern custom. It certainly looked like it had just been dusted off and shined up after sitting mothballed for the past 40 years. Every detail seems period correct, and we particularly liked the Batmobile-esque double-bubble roof. Click over to ThunderFlite.com for more background info, and check out our gallery for more high-res pics.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: ThunderFlite Thunderbird
Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2008: Custom ThunderFlite T-Bird soars originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Supercars, Ford
Click above for high-res gallery of the Hennessey Ford GTs
Hennessey is perhaps more closely associated with Dodge Vipers to most people, but they also do work on Ford's late, great supercar, the Ford GT, too. What Hennessey does with the GT is sort of up to you. One option they can do is a swap, wherein the factory supercharger is removed and a pair of turbos are fitted. With additional modifications, that car can reach more than 235 mph. If it strikes you as a sacrilegious thing to do to a rare factory-supercharged car, you can keep your blower and simply add the twin turbos as well. They call that one the Ford GT1000 for the metric tonne of horsepower it produces. It can squirt from 0-60 in 2.6 seconds and cover the quarter in 10.6 on its way past 240 mph. The company had one of each on hand at SEMA this year in front of the duPont Registry trailer. Decisions, decisions. We'll take one of each.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: Hennessey Ford GTs
Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2008: Hennessey shows a pair of turbocharged Ford GTs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Mercedes-Benz
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Carbonite SL
If you were this close to purchasing an SLR but recent events concerning a guy named Lehman severely reduced your amount of disposable cash, then allow us to introduce you to the SL Carbonite. For the price of a 2003-2008 Mercedes SL, plus $47,400 for Carbonite's hood, fenders, front and rear fascias, lowered suspension and Mandrus 20-inch wheels, you can have an SL(R) for a song that's a lot less pricey than the Mercedes-McLaren. Carbonite has also said it will only build 20 of these cars per year, which means your money could get you even more exclusivity than the real thing. Of course, what your money can't do is erase the fact that you don't actually have the real thing -- but that hasn't stopped so many others... Check out the high-res gallery of doppelganger shots below.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: Carbonite SL(R)
SEMA 2008: Carbonite SL(R) for the economic downturn originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: SEMA, Etc., SMART
Click above for high-res gallery of the Black Deere smart from SEMA
Tom Mutchler at Consumer Reports says his first drive in a SMART reminded him of his John Deere x300 lawn tractor. Slow and noisy, but they both fit in his garage. Apparently, Black Deere LLC had the same impression of the little car and showed up at SEMA with one in John Deere's green and yellow livery. Other than being painted to match farm machinery, the SMART ForTwo Passion Cabriolet sports four air horns and an air-compressor powered truck horn. You might not see this thing coming at you, but by God you'll hear it. Unfortunately, we can't find out much about the car's customizer, Black Deere. SEMA's information lists an inactive URL and Google turns up only the story from SEMA.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: Black Deere Smart
Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Consumer Reports]
SEMA 2008: SMART goes John Deere green originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, SEMA, Time Warp, Sports/GTs, Pontiac, Celebrities, Special/Limited Editions
Click above for high-res gallery of K.I.T.T. and the Mio GPS
There were a lot of movie and TV-themed vehicles at SEMA this year, but one of our favorite entertainment tie-ins had to be the Mio Knight Rider GPS system. We told you about this way back in June, played with it when the new K.I.T.T. visited the Autoblog Garage, and messed with it some more in Vegas. It sounds exactly like you'd hope it would. "Michael, you're going the wrong way, you ninny," isn't in the regular playlist, but it did have some attitude. Even better than laying hands on the Mio, however, was the fact that K.I.T.T. ( no, not the Mustang) was actually in the Mio booth selling the product. It was almost too much to handle. As we told you in June, the Mio Knight Rider GPS unit uses the voice the one-and-only William Daniels, the original voice of K.I.T.T., and asks cordially "Hello Michael, where do you want to go today?" when powered up. The 4.3-inch LCD display is also flanked by a series of red LEDs reminiscent of K.I.T.T.'s nose-mounted lights. It's available for sale now at about $270.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell GPS systems
Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell Knight Rider GPS for Mio originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Supercars, Chevrolet
Click above for high-res gallery of the Factory Five GTM
Factory Five is one of those companies that you may have heard of but probably don't know where. If you happen to correctly relate them to the car world, you might remember them as a kit car company, one of dozens of Cobra re-creators out there. Well, a few years back they decided to do something a little bit different. They created their own unique design rather than copying someone else's work. The result was the Factory Five GTM.
Some see Ford GT40, others see Corvette and still others think it's an Ascari, Nobel, Rossion or even a Carrera GT. While it may somewhat resemble some of those other great shapes, it is truly something unique. Well, sort of. Like the Anteros we just told you about, there's a bit of Corvette in the mix. It uses a bespoke chassis, but is powered by an LS7 V8. Weighing in at just 2,350 lbs. it has the power-to-weight ratio of a Rolex Grand-Am prototype. It can get to sixty from a standstill in 3 seconds and cover the quarter in 11 flat. We saw one in Vegas at SEMA and when people asked about it in the supercar gallery post, we decided it might need a little extra attention. Enjoy the gallery and if you decide you'd like one, you're in luck. Factory Five is offering $2,000 off the kits.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: Factory Five GTM looks good in copper
Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2008: Factory Five GTM looks slick in copper originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA, Time Warp, Coupes, Dodge, Celebrities
Click above for high-res gallery of the Charger Coupe
We had heard rumors that there was going to be a Dodge Charger Coupe at SEMA this year. We had hoped it would be something like the Charger show car from several years ago, the black one that looked a lot like the bad guy's car in Bullitt. In fact, that car was supposed to be made and shown at SEMA, but we never tracked it down. What we did find was probably just as good. If it wasn't going to be black, it might as well have been orange, and orange it was. Orange with a black confederate flag on the roof and a big "01" on the doors. Yep, it was the General Lee. In a year when we saw a Fast and Furious real Charger, a Bullitt movie Mustang, the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters, and a smart fortwo that had made a trip to the Batcave, it was probably inevitable that we would find the General amidst all of the Challengers and other MOPARS on display. Not that we're complaining or anything.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: General Lee Charger Coupe
Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2008: Charger Coupe shows up in General Lee trim originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Motorcycles
Click above for high-res gallery of the motorcycles of SEMA
While most of our focus at SEMA was on the cars and products, we don't want yo to think that bikers are left out of the party. There were dozens of great bikes all over the convention halls. Some were custom designs, others modified street bikes and still others were concepts showcasing new technology. This year we saw everything from an electric and a hybrid, to a lift-off body bike and a Craftsman-themed cycle. Check out the gallery.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: Vegas does motorcycles too!
Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2008: Vegas does motorcycles too, baby! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Coupes, Audi
Click above for high-res gallery of the Abt AS5 available from GGI Tuning
We've talked about Abt Sportsline's sweet range of upgraded VW and Audi offerings before, but now we have some additional good news. As you probably know if you're reading this blog, Abt offers lots of mods for the A4 and A5, including relatively subtle body kits, new wheels, a sport suspension, a freer-flowing exhaust system, and a variety of power upgrades. You really can't go wrong when you start with such good rolling stock, but some tuners manage to botch it anyhow. In the case of the Audi A5, the manufacturer already does a pretty good job with the upragdes when it turns it into an S5, but Abt goes a step or two further with pretty good results.
The Abt AS5 is one hot sports coupe, even in a refrigerator white that might seem uninspring at first glance. The one we saw here at SEMA was actually over at the Hlton. It popped up during one of the afterparties that always makes this such a fun show to attend. In this case it was at the GGI European Tuning bash where the shop was announcing their new distribution deal with the German tuner. GGI European Tuning is already the exclusive North American importer for Carlsson, Hartge and Sportec, but now they can add Abt Sportsline to the marquee. It's already one of our favorite coupes, so knowing it might be easier to get a nicely modded version in the States makes us even happier.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: GGI Tuning to offer At AS5
Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
SEMA 2008: GGI Tuning to carry Abt, including hot Audi AS5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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