SEMA wrap-up: Modded cars and shiny tech

LAS VEGAS--This week, tuners showed off their latest automotive creations, putting new body work, stereos, and engine mods in cars such as Civics and Velosters at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.

The Specialty Equipment Manufacturer Association (SEMA) held its annual show in Las Vegas this week, and CNET was on hand to see the latest outlandish car mods and new technology on display. SEMA is a show for stuff you can do to a car after it leaves the factory.

Here are a few highlights from the show:

Ford showed a new lighting technology it is developing, translucent chrome. With this material coating a Mustang badge, for example, backlighting can make the whole thing appear to glow in the dark.

Promoting its new Veloster model, Hyundai put five modified version of this car in its booth. The ARK modified car gets an add-on turbocharger and 19-inch Yokohama tires. Other Velosters on display were themed around music, games, and tech.

Five Axis Design showed off the GS Custom at the show, a Lexus GS given a wide body kit, 20-inch wheels, and an upgraded suspension. Lexus was also there with its own GS model, featuring its F performance kit.

To promote its 2012 Civic update, Honda brought a collection of high-performance and high-styled Civic Si Coupe and Sedan models. Leading the high-performance charge was the Bisimoto Engineering 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe, which churns out 1,004 horsepower.

Perennial SEMA favorite Scion was on hand, with four custom examples of its iQ microcompact on display, all of which rated highly on the "wild" scale. One example, the iQ RX, boasted a 1,700-watt Orion Car Audio system and a 32-inch Samsung TV paired with an Xbox 360 for impromptu sessions of Forza Motorsport 4.

Click here to check out more from the 2011 SEMA show.