This 2004 Ford Iron Man F-150 by DeBerti Designs features modified fenders, tailgate, grille, rocker panels, skid guard, and exhaust.
From its humble beginnings as a trade show for the automotive aftermarket, the SEMA Show has evolved into a vehicular percolator for auto enthusiasts of all kinds. Even vehicle manufacturers are getting into the action, using the SEMA Show to feature wild concept cars, announce high-performance options, and even debut new production models.
Even though the SEMA Show is not open to the general public, more than 100,000 industry insiders attended the 2003 show, which featured 1,800 exhibitors, 1,500 vehicles, and 2 million square feet of exhibition space. The new product display area alone included more than 1,000 new products!
Auto Manufacturers Show Verve
As the featured vehicle manufacturer for 2003, and hot on the heals of the 2004 F-150 debut, Ford featured the work of SEMA members in a display of 19 customized concept vehicles that included 14 different customized 2004 F-150s.
The display of custom 2004 F-150s also highlighted Ford's participation and support of the Ford/SEMA Technology Initiative, in which Ford provides design and manufacturing data to SEMA members in advance of the debut of a new vehicle. The shared information helps aftermarket companies design and engineer custom parts for vehicles.
Ford also offered a glimpse of what is to come in terms of personalization, with two Focus and Ranger concept vehicles that feature parts that will soon be available from Ford Vehicle Personalization.
The Focus concept is powered by a supercharged 2.0-liter Zetec engine and includes a suspension lowering kit and 17-inch 10-spoke wheels from Ford Racing Performance Parts. The Focus features a body kit from Ford Vehicle Personalization and interior modifications.
The Ranger concept is a SuperCab modified with a Ford Racing supercharger added to the 3.0-liter V6, a suspension lowering kit, 13-inch Brembo brakes, and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
With a look to customization that is built right into the vehicle, Ford offered a sneak peak at a feature of the 2005 Mustang: an instrument cluster that can be customized with 125 different colors for the backlighting.
GM Debuts Hummer H2 SUT, Xtreme Concepts
General Motors unveiled the 2005 Hummer H2 SUT at the 2003 SEMA Show, which is a new variation of the popular Hummer H2. The SUT replaces the covered cargo area with a small pickup bed and adds a reconfigurable Midgate, first offered on the Chevrolet Avalanche.
To showcase the capabilities of the H2 SUT, GM produced the H2 SUT Dirt Sports concept, an H2 SUT equipped with a truck bed extender to transport two dirt bikes with a brushed aluminum bike carrier and a tire carrier. The Dirt Sports concept features an Eaton Supercharger to boost the 6.0-liter V8 to 400 horsepower, ceramic-coated low-restriction exhaust, 20-inch wheels, aggressive BF Goodrich mud tires, front night-vision cameras, 2005 up-level ebony interior, touch-screen navigation system, and a Clarion 12-disc CD changer.
In other Hummer news, the 2004 Hummer H1 will receive its first significant redesign since it was introduced, featuring an updated, more comfortable and luxurious interior.
The Saturn ION Red Line edition, a high-performance enthusiast's version of Saturn's small coupe will go on sale in early 2004 with high-performance parts including a supercharged 200-horsepower 2.0-liter Ecotec engine, sport suspension, 17-inch forged alloy wheels, aero body modifications, and Recaro front sport seats.
To emphasize the high-performance pedigree of the Saturn Red Line, Saturn developed a modified Saturn ION Red Line quad coupe to compete for a world land speed record at the Bonneville World Finals, and a modern version of the original SO-CAL Speed Shop lakester that raced at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the '50s.
The Bonneville ION Red Line coupe was developed by GM Performance Division and is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine. Piloted by Jim Minneker, a GM Performance engineer and veteran pro racer, the ION Red Line set a new record in the G/Blown Fuel Altered class of 212.684 mph, more than 30 mph faster than the previous record.
The Ecotec Lakester concept is a modern, high-tech vehicle designed in the spirit of the original SO-CAL Lakester that Alex Xydias created from the belly tank of a military aircraft to race on the salt. The Ecotec Lakester is a collaboration between the General Motors' Advanced Design Team and SO-CAL Speed Shop and is powered by the same supercharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine that will power the Saturn Red Line production car.
A speed run for the Ecotec Lakester next year at the Bonneville World Finals is still under consideration.
GM also showed a number of "Xtreme" concepts of Chevrolet models, including Equinox, Colorado, Malibu, and Aveo, as well as "Autocross" versions of Pontiac's Grand Prix, Grand Am, Vibe, GTO, and Sunfire.
In addition, three new production vehicles that first debuted as concepts at SEMA were on display: Bonneville GXP with 275-horsepower 4.6-liter V8, Cadillac CTS-V with a 400-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, and the ION Red Line quad coupe.
GM showed examples of new leathers, colors and finishes with Tiger Woods editions of the Buick Rainier and Rendezvous SUVs. Cadillac explored new accessory ideas with the SRX Black Diamond and the CTS Sport.
GM will also offer a new line of 20-inch accessory wheels for the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks. Look for 17-inch and 18-inch wheels to follow for other GM vehicles.
Honda and Acura Are Tuner Favorites
Honda and Acura have been favorite platforms for sport compact tuners, and Honda displayed a number of concept cars and race cars at SEMA this year.
Acura announced that the Acura Factory Performance program will be relaunched as Acura A-Spec, with an A-Spec package for the 2004 TL that will be available in November. The TL A-Spec kit will include a suspension package with track-tuned shocks and springs, 18-inch wheels and tires, an aero kit, and a decklid spoiler.
Acura also showed a TSX A-Spec concept that includes a prototype suspension, sport exhaust, Brembo prototype front brakes, 18-inch wheels, prototype body modifications, a Momo steering wheel, and Recaro front seats.
The Honda Element concept gave SEMA attendees a glimpse at a high-performance version, with a 200-horsepower i-VTEC engine, all-terrain sport suspension, Brembo brakes, 21-inch Honda Access 5-spoke alloy wheels, Michelin concept tires, new bumper and grille designs, custom exterior body modifications, a floor-to-ceiling center console, racing-inspired instrument panel, racing front bucket seats, and other interior modifications.
Mitsubishi Caters to Tuners
The Mitsubishi Evolution was a popular car with tuners even before it was first sold in the U.S. as a 2003 model. For 2004, Mitsubishi is listening to what the tuners really want and will produce 700 copies of the Evolution RS, which is nearly 150 pounds lighter than the standard Evolution and includes front helical-type limited-slip differential and a rear upper suspension brace.
The weight reduction for the Evolution RS results from eliminating the air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, audio system, rear wing spoiler, HID headlights, rear wiper, and trim from the trunk. Anti-lock brakes are not available, and the RS is only offered in Rally Red or Weightless White.
Subaru Announces 2004 Rally Team
Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ramana Lagemann and co-driver Michael Orr were at the SEMA show to announce that they will team with driver Pasi Hagstrom and co-driver Marko Taskinen to contest the 2004 SCCA ProRally for Subaru Rally Team USA.
Subaru also announced that it has broadened its performance parts business, with Subaru Technica International (STI) and Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) gaining popularity with U.S. customers and the performance parts product line tripling in size.
Subaru has committed to increasing the number of authorized SPT dealers that specialize in performance parts—more than 50 authorized SPT dealers will be in place by the end of the year.
Toyota Unveils Racing Engine and Corolla XRS
Toyota, which will enter the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in February 2004 at Daytona International Speedway, unveiled the Tundra Racing V8 engine at the SEMA Show. This 358-cubic-inch V8 engine was developed entirely by Toyota Racing Development and is capable of producing up to 650 horsepower.
Toyota also debuted the Corolla XRS, a high-performance version of the popular Corolla, that will be powered by a retuned version of the 1.8-liter engine and 6-speed manual transmission that is used in the Celica GT-S and the Matrix XRS. In the XRS, the 1.8-liter will produce 170 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque, and will produce better mid-range torque than in the other applications.
The Corolla XRS will also feature a sport-tuned suspension, a front connecting rod damper, 16-inch alloy wheels, Michelin performance tires, a stiffer steering column, a specially-designed steering rack, and sport seats.
Toyota's Lexus division unveiled a special version of the IS 300 sport sedan, the V8-powered IS 430, produced by Rod Millen Special Vehicles. The IS 430 is powered by a 340-horsepower version of the 4.3-liter Lexus V8, combined with a Getrag 6-speed manual transmission.
Nissan Features Tuned 350Z, Pathfinder Aramadas
Nissan featured a variety of specially-tuned Nissan vehicles in its display at SEMA, showcasing the work of various tuners across the full line of current Nissan products.
At the center of the display was a 350Z modified by NISMO, the top supplier of performance parts for Nissans in Japan. NISMO also tuned an Altima and a Sentra SE-R.
Other tuners delivered vehicles for the Nissan display, including a number of Pathfinder Armadas, a Stillen Maxima, a Troy Lee Titan, and Kenny's Garage Maxima and Quest.
Wheels and Tires at Center of SEMA Show
Michelin, Bridgestone/Firestone, and Yokohama all debuted new tire lines at the SEMA Show this year.
Kimi Raikkonen, West McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver and runner up to six-time world champion Michael Schumacher, joined Michelin North America at the SEMA Show to debut the Formula One-inspired Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire. The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 is an ultra-high-performance summer tire that goes on sale in March 2004.
The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 is currently available on some of the most exotic sports cars ever offered: the Bugatti Veyron, Porsche Carrera GT, Porsche 911 GT2, Porsche 911 GT3, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and BMW Alpina Z8. The PS2 is the first of four new car tires and one new motorcycle tire that Michelin will offer in 2004.
Bridgestone/Firestone introduced the all-new Fuzion ZRi performance tire line that is aimed at the enthusiast and tuner markets. The Fuzion Civic Si project vehicle was unveiled to showcase the new Fuzion line of tires.
Yokohama sponsored the SEMA Proving Ground, a new addition to SEMA that allowed invited buyers and journalists a hands-on experience with certain performance products, including Yokohama's new AVID H4s/V4s tires.
While DUB seems to be the norm for modified trucks and SUVs, wheel manufacturers continued to push the outer limit of the largest diameter wheels offered, with 28-inch and 30-inch examples on display. The size of the wheels seems to be only limited by the size of available tires.
SCCA to Sanction 2004 Formula Drift Championship
SCCA Pro Racing and Slipstream Global Marketing, Inc. announced at the SEMA Show that a four-event 2004 Formula Drift Championship will be sanctioned by the SCCA and promoted by Slipstream Global.
Drifting is a new form of motorsports that has been popular in Japan and is gaining in popularity in the U.S. Drifting competitors slide their cars sideways, earning points for style and accuracy in driving their cars at the absolute limits of adhesion.
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