Automotive

Road, track and off-road highlights of the 2015 SEMA Show

Road, track and off-road highlights of the 2015 SEMA Show
A look at some highlights of SEMA 2015
A look at some highlights of SEMA 2015
View 138 Images
Mazda MX-5 Spyder concept
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Mazda MX-5 Spyder concept
Mazda reveals the MX-5 Speedster concept
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Mazda reveals the MX-5 Speedster concept
Mazda reveals the MX-5 Speedster concept
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Mazda reveals the MX-5 Speedster concept
Mopar at SEMA 2015
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Mopar at SEMA 2015
Mopar Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Concept
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Mopar Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Concept
Mopar Ram Rebel X
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Mopar Ram Rebel X
VW Rockstar Energy Formula Drift Passat
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VW Rockstar Energy Formula Drift Passat
VW Rockstar Energy Formula Drift Passat
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VW Rockstar Energy Formula Drift Passat
Nissan GT-R at SEMA 2015
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Nissan GT-R at SEMA 2015
Nissan and Cummins developed the Titan XD "Triple Nickel" with the goal of a land speed record
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Nissan and Cummins developed the Titan XD "Triple Nickel" with the goal of a land speed record
Scion highlights "fashion and passion" with the Eddie Huang iA
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Scion highlights "fashion and passion" with the Eddie Huang iA
Scion GReddy Racing FR-S
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Scion GReddy Racing FR-S
Toyota Rally Rav4
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Toyota Rally Rav4
This Tacoma truck is inspired by the tricked out Toyota truck in the Back to the Future movies
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This Tacoma truck is inspired by the tricked out Toyota truck in the Back to the Future movies
Built in collaboration with Funrise Toy Corporation, manufacturer of Tonka toys for Hasbro, Toyota's Tonka 4Runner should appeal to both children and adults
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Built in collaboration with Funrise Toy Corporation, manufacturer of Tonka toys for Hasbro, Toyota's Tonka 4Runner should appeal to both children and adults
Built for "the ultimate off-road adventure," the Tonka 4Runner has a 10-in lift kit, Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ 38×15.50R20LT off-road tires and other upgrades
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Built for "the ultimate off-road adventure," the Tonka 4Runner has a 10-in lift kit, Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ 38×15.50R20LT off-road tires and other upgrades
This Tonka is definitely not a child's toy
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This Tonka is definitely not a child's toy
This rugged off-road machine was once a Toyota Sienna minivan
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This rugged off-road machine was once a Toyota Sienna minivan
Toyota has a clearly off-road theme running through its SEMA exhibit
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Toyota has a clearly off-road theme running through its SEMA exhibit
The Ultimate Utility Vehicle's long list of mods includes an Engaged four-link long-travel suspension, Nitto Mud Grappler tires and reworked doors designed around those big tires and fender flares
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The Ultimate Utility Vehicle's long list of mods includes an Engaged four-link long-travel suspension, Nitto Mud Grappler tires and reworked doors designed around those big tires and fender flares
The UUV is built as a command center and includes a host of interior tech, such as a TracVision mobile satellite television receiver, Internet access, 17-in monitor, 60-in Sony LED TV, and Flir M-324xp night vision camera system
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The UUV is built as a command center and includes a host of interior tech, such as a TracVision mobile satellite television receiver, Internet access, 17-in monitor, 60-in Sony LED TV, and Flir M-324xp night vision camera system
The UUV combines a heavily modified Sienna body with a Tacoma 4x4 truck frame
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The UUV combines a heavily modified Sienna body with a Tacoma 4x4 truck frame
Galpin/Fisker Mustang Rocket
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Galpin/Fisker Mustang Rocket
The KiriVan is one mean expedition vehicle
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The KiriVan is one mean expedition vehicle
The Unimog-based KiriVan is a tractor trailer designed for off-grid expeditions
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The Unimog-based KiriVan is a tractor trailer designed for off-grid expeditions
The KiraVan has an extensive suite of high-tech electronics
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The KiraVan has an extensive suite of high-tech electronics
Honda HR-V by Tjin Edition
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Honda HR-V by Tjin Edition
Hyundai ARK Performance Solus Genesis Coupe with wide body kit
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Hyundai ARK Performance Solus Genesis Coupe with wide body kit
Honda announces its return to Baja racing and shows the Honda Ridgeline Baja Race Truck
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Honda announces its return to Baja racing and shows the Honda Ridgeline Baja Race Truck
The ARK Performance Solus Genesis' V6 engine has been increased from 3.8 to 4.0 liters and output is now over 500 hp
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The ARK Performance Solus Genesis' V6 engine has been increased from 3.8 to 4.0 liters and output is now over 500 hp
Honda says the Ridgeline Baja Race Truck provides a glimpse at the styling direction it will take with the 2017 Ridgeline
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Honda says the Ridgeline Baja Race Truck provides a glimpse at the styling direction it will take with the 2017 Ridgeline
Honda will race this new truck in this year's SCORE Baja 1000
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Honda will race this new truck in this year's SCORE Baja 1000
The Bisimoto Tucson is tuned to 700 hp
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The Bisimoto Tucson is tuned to 700 hp
The 500+ hp Hyundai Blood Type Racing (BTR) Edition Veloster has a sinister body kit
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The 500+ hp Hyundai Blood Type Racing (BTR) Edition Veloster has a sinister body kit
The John Pangilinan Hyundai Tucson Adventuremobile rides like a light expedition vehicle
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The John Pangilinan Hyundai Tucson Adventuremobile rides like a light expedition vehicle
Hyundai Blood Type Racing Edition Veloster
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Hyundai Blood Type Racing Edition Veloster
In addition to its Treeline roof tent, the Adventuremobile has a 1.5-in suspension lift, Aries bull bar and side steps, Rigid Industries LED lights, and other upgrades
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In addition to its Treeline roof tent, the Adventuremobile has a 1.5-in suspension lift, Aries bull bar and side steps, Rigid Industries LED lights, and other upgrades
John Pangilinan Hyundai Tucson Adventuremobile
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John Pangilinan Hyundai Tucson Adventuremobile
The Rockstar Performance Garage Tucson has a 6-in lift
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The Rockstar Performance Garage Tucson has a 6-in lift
The Rockstar Tucson may not have a tent, but it does have an off-road kit including a fully-custom, adjustable shocks and struts system from King Shocks and 32-in Mickey Thompson MTZ P3 tires
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The Rockstar Tucson may not have a tent, but it does have an off-road kit including a fully-custom, adjustable shocks and struts system from King Shocks and 32-in Mickey Thompson MTZ P3 tires
Hyundai Tjin Edition Genesis Coupe
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Hyundai Tjin Edition Genesis Coupe
Tjin Edition upgrades the Genesis V6 engine to more than 500 hp with a supercharger, upgraded exhaust, intercooler and blow-off valve
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Tjin Edition upgrades the Genesis V6 engine to more than 500 hp with a supercharger, upgraded exhaust, intercooler and blow-off valve
Other Tjin Edition Genesis Coupe mods include the rear spoiler and Kylie Tjin Axalta green paint
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Other Tjin Edition Genesis Coupe mods include the rear spoiler and Kylie Tjin Axalta green paint
Kia shows a quartet of new concepts including this A1A Optima convertible
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Kia shows a quartet of new concepts including this A1A Optima convertible
The A1A Optima is inspired by the sunny state of Florida and its A1A highway
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The A1A Optima is inspired by the sunny state of Florida and its A1A highway
Kia A1A Optima
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Kia A1A Optima
The A1A Optima includes rear-hinged coach doors for the rear seats
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The A1A Optima includes rear-hinged coach doors for the rear seats
The Kia Forte Koup Mud Bogger is an homage to the mudding culture of the American South
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The Kia Forte Koup Mud Bogger is an homage to the mudding culture of the American South
The Mud Bogger is one of four SEMA adventure Kias inspired by different regions of the US
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The Mud Bogger is one of four SEMA adventure Kias inspired by different regions of the US
The Mud Bogger has a 4-in suspension lift and 28-in off-road tires
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The Mud Bogger has a 4-in suspension lift and 28-in off-road tires
The Kia PacWest Adventure Sorento has a custom "chameleon effect" paint job
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The Kia PacWest Adventure Sorento has a custom "chameleon effect" paint job
The Sorento gets prepared for off-road driving
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The Sorento gets prepared for off-road driving
Kia Photo Safari Sedona
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Kia Photo Safari Sedona
The sliding rear seat of the Kia Photo Safari Sedona
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The sliding rear seat of the Kia Photo Safari Sedona
Revealed earlier this year, the Kia Trail'ster is a more rugged, AWD Soul hybrid
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Revealed earlier this year, the Kia Trail'ster is a more rugged, AWD Soul hybrid
The Photo Safari Sedona has a pickup bed with integrated storage
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The Photo Safari Sedona has a pickup bed with integrated storage
The Trail'ster represents the Rocky Mountains as part of Kia's greater US adventure theme
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The Trail'ster represents the Rocky Mountains as part of Kia's greater US adventure theme
Lexus has teamed with Paul Gentilozzi and the newly formed F Performance Racing to race the RC F GT3
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Lexus has teamed with Paul Gentilozzi and the newly formed F Performance Racing to race the RC F GT3
Lexus F Performance Racing RC F GT3
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Lexus F Performance Racing RC F GT3
Lexus GS F by Gordon Ting/Beyond Marketing
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Lexus GS F by Gordon Ting/Beyond Marketing
Lexus RC 200t by Guy S. De Alwis/360 Motorworks
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Lexus RC 200t by Guy S. De Alwis/360 Motorworks
Gordon Ting/Beyond Marketing dunked both the Lexus GS F and this RC F in orange paint
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Gordon Ting/Beyond Marketing dunked both the Lexus GS F and this RC F in orange paint
Mazda MX-5 Speedster
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Mazda MX-5 Speedster
Mini at the 2015 SEMA Show
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Mini at the 2015 SEMA Show
One of the more luscious cars of SEMA: a Peter Brock-designed 1965 Shelby-DeTomaso P70
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One of the more luscious cars of SEMA: a Peter Brock-designed 1965 Shelby-DeTomaso P70
1965 Shelby-DeTomaso P70
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1965 Shelby-DeTomaso P70
1965 Shelby-DeTomaso P70
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1965 Shelby-DeTomaso P70
Chevy shows the Colorado Z71 Trail Boss 3.0
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Chevy shows the Colorado Z71 Trail Boss 3.0
A mounted Ford GT
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A mounted Ford GT
The Chevrolet Silverado Realtree Bone Collector was developed with Outdoor Channel star Michael Waddell
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The Chevrolet Silverado Realtree Bone Collector was developed with Outdoor Channel star Michael Waddell
Inspired by the Kid Rock song "Born Free," the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Kid Rock Concept celebrates freedom and the American worker
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Inspired by the Kid Rock song "Born Free," the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Kid Rock Concept celebrates freedom and the American worker
The Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Kid Rock Concept tows two Gibbs Quadskis
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The Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Kid Rock Concept tows two Gibbs Quadskis
The Chevrolet Camaro Performance concept
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The Chevrolet Camaro Performance concept
Chevy at SEMA 2015
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Chevy at SEMA 2015
BMW M4 Coupe
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BMW M4 Coupe
Audi at SEMA 2015
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Audi at SEMA 2015
Acura NSX
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Acura NSX
Inside the Acura Ludacris Legend
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Inside the Acura Ludacris Legend
Acura NSX in Nouvelle Blue Pearl
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Acura NSX in Nouvelle Blue Pearl
Acura restores rapper Ludacris' totaled 1993 Legend into the "Ludacris Legend" sedan
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Acura restores rapper Ludacris' totaled 1993 Legend into the "Ludacris Legend" sedan
Acura upgrades Ludacris' sound system
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Acura upgrades Ludacris' sound system
In addition to restoring Ludacris' Legend, Acura added larger wheels, lowered the ride height and added a Warm Cashmere paint job
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In addition to restoring Ludacris' Legend, Acura added larger wheels, lowered the ride height and added a Warm Cashmere paint job
If you're waiting for a charity angle in the Ludacris restoration, it comes in the form of this Galpin Auto Sports Acura ILX, which will be donated to The Ludacris Foundation
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If you're waiting for a charity angle in the Ludacris restoration, it comes in the form of this Galpin Auto Sports Acura ILX, which will be donated to The Ludacris Foundation
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
The 2016 Galpin Auto Sports Acura ILX includes a custom front bumper, chin spoiler, rear diffusers, and twin Borla exhaust pipes
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The 2016 Galpin Auto Sports Acura ILX includes a custom front bumper, chin spoiler, rear diffusers, and twin Borla exhaust pipes
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Wheels of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Wheels of the 2015 SEMA Show
Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
Bikes of SEMA
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Bikes of SEMA
This Rick Dore Kustoms Aquarius is owned by Metallica's James Hetfield
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This Rick Dore Kustoms Aquarius is owned by Metallica's James Hetfield
The dramatic Aquarius presented by James Hetfield and Rick Dore Kustoms
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The dramatic Aquarius presented by James Hetfield and Rick Dore Kustoms
Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
Moto madness at SEMA 2015
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Moto madness at SEMA 2015
The bikes catch your attention, too
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The bikes catch your attention, too
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Moto madness at SEMA 2015
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Moto madness at SEMA 2015
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Even the school bus gets tricked out at SEMA
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Even the school bus gets tricked out at SEMA
Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
A different look for the VW bus
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A different look for the VW bus
Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Cars of the 2015 SEMA Show
Moto madness at SEMA 2015
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Moto madness at SEMA 2015
Sheer metal + motor mayhem
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Sheer metal + motor mayhem
Off-roaders back in civilization
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Off-roaders back in civilization
Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
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Trucks of the 2015 SEMA Show
1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe
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1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe
Mopar Ram ProMaster DragMaster
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Mopar Ram ProMaster DragMaster
Mopar Ram ProMaster City DiveMaster
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Mopar Ram ProMaster City DiveMaster
Toyota updated the Back to the Future Mirai for SEMA
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Toyota updated the Back to the Future Mirai for SEMA
The gullwing doors of the BTTF Mirai
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The gullwing doors of the BTTF Mirai
Toyota's Back to the Future Mirai celebrates the iconic movie and the fuel cell
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Toyota's Back to the Future Mirai celebrates the iconic movie and the fuel cell
Rezvani Beast
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Rezvani Beast
Rezvani Beast
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Rezvani Beast
The Hennessey Venom GT now features 1,451 hp
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The Hennessey Venom GT now features 1,451 hp
Hennessey estimates a 280 mph top speed for its newly updated Venom GT
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Hennessey estimates a 280 mph top speed for its newly updated Venom GT
Hennessey Venom GT at SEMA 2015
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Hennessey Venom GT at SEMA 2015
The Venom GT recorded an unofficial world speed record of 270.4 mph (435.2 km/h) last year, and now gets even more power
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The Venom GT recorded an unofficial world speed record of 270.4 mph (435.2 km/h) last year, and now gets even more power
Hennessey updates the Venom GT with an added 200 hp
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Hennessey updates the Venom GT with an added 200 hp
Mopar Dodge Challenger GT AWD Concept
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Mopar Dodge Challenger GT AWD Concept
The Toyota "Tundrasine"
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The Toyota "Tundrasine"
Chevy at SEMA 2015
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Chevy at SEMA 2015
1970 Chevy Camaro LT4
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1970 Chevy Camaro LT4
A look at some highlights of SEMA 2015
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A look at some highlights of SEMA 2015
View gallery - 138 images

The annual SEMA Show kicked off on Tuesday in Las Vegas. For a few days, the auto industry's focus drifts away from reality and into a fantasy world of big, wild, extreme builds of all shapes and colors. Some interesting themes flow through this year's show, including unlikely off-road vehicles, re-engined classics and potential world record breakers.

Off-Road & Off-Grid

While there were plenty of burly trucks and 4x4s to be found at SEMA 2014, this year's show has kicked it up a notch. Major manufacturers like Kia, Toyota and Hyundai have turned unassuming commuter vehicles into full-blown earth-roaming machines, and the show is hosting one of the world's biggest, nastiest expedition vehicles in the KiraVan (pictured below).

The KiriVan is one mean expedition vehicle
The KiriVan is one mean expedition vehicle

That beastly, high-tech Unimog command center isn't something that many a driver would want to pilot over the gnarly stuff, but an everyday minivan with a little muscle? That's a potential vehicle for the everyman adventurer. As we previewed back in June, Toyota has taken the minivan to the extreme, sliding a Tacoma 4x4 truck frame below the Sienna's family-hauling body and calling it the Ultimate Utility Vehicle.

The UUV combines a heavily modified Sienna body with a Tacoma 4x4 truck frame
The UUV combines a heavily modified Sienna body with a Tacoma 4x4 truck frame

The UUV was designed to serve as command center for the 16,500-mile (26,550-km) North American leg of Toyota's Ever-Better Expedition, allowing Toyota engineers to monitor and analyze the other vehicles on the expedition and send data back to HQ. It therefore includes a serious electronics kit with 60-in Sony LED TV, mobile satellite TV receiver, mobile Internet and integrated Wi-Fi, a 2,500-watt JBL audio system, and a Flir night vision camera with HD recording. We plan to look at the UUV in a little more detail within the next few days, but we had to mention it here as one of the coolest off-road designs of the show.

The Toyota "Tundrasine"
The Toyota "Tundrasine"

While the UUV brings a roadgoing vehicle off-road, the Tundrasine pulls a rugged truck back onto the asphalt. Toyota has stretched the 1794 Edition 4x4 CrewMax 5.7L V8 Tundra pickup by just over 90 inches (229 cm), painted it in the very limousine-like shade of Midnight Black Metallic and kept the pickup bed in back for good measure. The brown-leather interior is inspired by private luxury jets.

Nissan and Cummins developed the Titan XD "Triple Nickel" with the goal of a land speed record
Nissan and Cummins developed the Titan XD "Triple Nickel" with the goal of a land speed record

Another eyebrow-raising truck debut, the Nissan Titan XD "Triple Nickel" is being developed for a land speed record. Named for the 555 lb-ft of available torqueprovided by its Cummins 5.0L turbo diesel V8, the truck includes purpose-built modifications like lowered suspension, salt-flat-style wheel covers, Mickey Thompson tires, a Stroud Safety parachute and custom-fabricated front air dam. Nissan and Cummins are working on the truck together and hope to break the 191-mph (307 km/h) record in the D/DT class and the 115-mph (185-km/h) FIA class A-III-9 record.

Road & Track

Hennessey updates the Venom GT with an added 200 hp
Hennessey updates the Venom GT with an added 200 hp

The Nissan Triple Nickel isn't the only world record machine on display at SEMA. The Hennessey Venom GT already has an unofficial world speed record, and Hennessey is hoping that it can make it official (or at least drive the unofficial record higher). Making its debut at SEMA, the updated Venom GT has a 1,451-hp 7.0-liter twin-turbo V8, making it over 200 hp more powerful than its unofficial world record-holding predecessor. Hennessey estimates a top speed in the neighborhood of 280 mph (451 km/h), a 0-60 mph (96.5 km/h) of 2.4 seconds and a 0-200 mph (322 km/h) of 12.8 seconds.

Rezvani Beast
Rezvani Beast

SEMA has a lot of brand-new open-top hardware on show, including very nice efforts from Mazda and Kia. Rezvani adds another in this bright-red version of its super-quick Beast roadster. Rumor has it that Rezvani is working on a 700-hp Beast X, but with its 500 hp on tap, and an estimated 0-60 mph time of just 2.7 seconds, the regular Beast should leave customers perfectly content. When it's not out slingshotting to highway speed in under three ticks, the carbon fiber-skinned Ariel Atom is sure to look awfully nice reflecting sunshine in the driveway.

1970 Chevy Camaro LT4
1970 Chevy Camaro LT4

Not all the cool cars at SEMA are as brand-new as the Beast or Venom GT update. Possibly the coolest car on Chevy's stand is the old-but-new 1970 Camaro RS. Chevy has updated the Hyper Blue Metallic-brushed vintage muscle car with the all-new 650-hp supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 from the Corvette Z06. A T-56 Super Magnum six-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension, four-link rear suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and Z06-based front and rear disc brakes help the driver put the potent engine to use.

SEMA hosts one of the year's most eclectic collections of vehicles, so don't miss the full tour inside our photo gallery.

View gallery - 138 images
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