Every car is a bit mad here at the 2014 SEMA Show (pictures)
The 2014 SEMA Show is the only place in the world where an 850 horsepower Toyota Camry doesn't seem out of place. Watch as automakers show the wild sides of their most popular models.
1971 Chevrolet Corvette Jimmie Johnson Concept
This Jimmie Johnson Concept at the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV starts with the body of a 1971 Chevrolet Corvette, strips it to the barebones, and rebuilds the whole thing around a 6.2L LT1 crate engine good for 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.
2015 Chevrolet Colorado Nautique Concept
Aside from some visual upgrades and a tow package, this 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Nautique Concept is mostly stock, which makes its ability to tow a massive boat more impressive.
2015 Chevrolet Silverado Toughnology Concept
Unofficial winner of my "Best Name for a Concept" award, the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado Toughnology Concept uses official Chevrolet upgrade parts and a custom color and graphics scheme to draw attention to the use of lightweight materials in its construction.
2015 Toyota Camry DUB Edition
Toyota adds a bit of style and a massive set of wheels to its new 2015 Toyota Camry DUB Edition.
2015 Toyota "Sleeper Camry" XSE
However, the most insane ride in Toyota's booth is the 2015 “Sleeper Camry” XSE. It may look like a standard Camry XSE, but beneath the sheetmetal is a tubular chassis built for drag racing and powered by an 850 horsepower supercharged version of the Tundra's 5.7-liter V8, transmission, and rear axle.
2015 Toyota Sienna TRD DUB Edition
The 2015 Toyota Sienna steps up its swagger with a TRD DUB Edition.
Sienna: Remix by Sirius XM
Nearby, the Sienna: Remix by Sirius XM ups the ante with a slide out DJ booth and more speakers than really makes sense.
Sienna: Remix by Sirius XM
A motorized speaker bank pops out of the Sienna: Remix's roof. All in we're talking four 12" subwoofers, 22 coaxial speakers, 5 high-powered amplifiers, two 32-band equalizers, and two 40" LCD TVs.
2015 Toyota Yaris DUB Edition
Toyota's Yaris DUB Edition gets a widebody stretch to accomodate the 10" wide, 20" diameter Dropstars DS643 gloss black wheels.
2015 Toyota Yaris DUB Edition
Matte Pearl White and Gloss Black paint complete the look; StopTech/TRD brakes and a custom suspension complete the handling upgrades; but the Yaris' performance upgrades are limited to a custom center-exit exhaust.
MAD Industries 2015 Honda Fit and Honda GROM
Over in Honda's booth, the new 2015 Fit is the star of the show. Here we have a black and gold custom built by show veterans MAD Industries along with a matching 2015 Honda Grom motorcycle. This duo is so compact, yet so badass.
Tjin Special Edition 2015 Honda Fit
I'm digging the subdued green paint and custom Coplus LED illumination on this Tjin Special Edition Fit.
Tjin Special Edition 2015 Honda Fit
A custom metal widebody kit allows the diminutive fit to accomodate meatier wheels and tires.
2015 Honda Fit HPD B-SPEC Concept Race Car
The 2015 Honda Fit HPD B-SPEC Concept Race Car is a stripped-out, race-prepped hot hatch that's designed to compete in SCCA, World Challenge, and Canadian Touring Car B-Spec races. With a stock engine and chassis and race-worthy safety upgrades (including a full roll cage) B-Spec racing is a fun, affordable entry point into amateur racing.
Spoon Sports Super Taikyu 2015 Honda Fit
Hondaphiles will no doubt recognize the blue and yellow color scheme of the Spoon Sports Super Taikyu 2015 Honda Fit, which has been upgraded with a laundry list of engine, chassis, exterior, and interior modifications and parts.
Spoon Sports Super Taikyu 2015 Honda Fit
Presenters worked on their rides up to show time, adding finishing touches and decals right there on the show floor.
Bisimoto 2015 Honda Fit Turbo
Also no stranger to this corner of the SEMA Show's central hall is Bisimoto Engineering. I'm honestly not surprised to learn that this Bisimoto 2015 Honda Fit Turbo outputs 480 horsepower... that's just what Bisi does.
Bisimoto 2015 Honda Fit Spec Car
Atypically mild for Bisimoto Engineering, this 2015 Honda Fit Spec Car features modest upgrades over the stock Fit. Power is now stated at 151 horsepower thanks largely to a Bisimoto custom exhaust.
Kenny Vinces 2015 Honda Fit
This 2015 Honda Fit by Kenny Vinces has had "virtually every aspect" modified, including the 1.5-liter Earth Dreams engine, which has been turbocharged.
Kenny Vinces 2015 Honda Fit
Rather than hide its turbo under the hood, the Kenny Vinces Fit's blower peeks out of the lower grille. It's a very cool and unconventional placement, but you'll want to avoid puddles like the plague.
Bisimoto Engineering Hyundai Sonata
Bisimoto Engineering again proves that slapping a gigantic turbo onto anything with wheels is always a great idea.
Bisimoto Engineering Hyundai Sonata
What's most amazing is that this 2015 Hyundai Sonata makes 708 horsepower from a reworked and upgraded example of its stock 2.4-liter engine.
Blood Type Racing Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Not to be outdone, Blood Type Racing brought along a high-powered example of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
Blood Type Racing Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Through a combination of a turbocharger, strengthened internal components, and nitrous injection, BTR claims almost 1000-crank horsepower from the 2.0L four-cylinder engine.
JP Edtition Hyundai Sonata
I called the 2015 Hyundai Sonata more boring than the last generation, but Hyundai brought in a group of tuners at SEMA to show just how hot this midsized sedan could be.
JP Edtition Hyundai Sonata
Attention to detail is important on a custom car. The JP Edition echos the hood's graphic scheme on the Hyundai logos and the rear spoiler.
Lexus Project NX F Sport
If you think the stock NX is too angular, steer clear of the even more aggressive Lexus Project NX F Sport at the 2014 SEMA Show. It looks sharp enough to cut.
Lexus Project RC F Sport
These Rocket Bunny widebody kits are all the rage. The Lexus Project RC F Sport is equipped with one, but we've also seen dozens of Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ rocking the riveted look.
Lexus RC F GT3 Concept
Lexus RC F GT3 Concept has an extremely wide bodykit and a massive GT-style wing that's just as broad.
Scion FR-S T1 by Cartel Customs
Since Scion is taking its sweet time with a convertible version of the FR-S, Cartel Customs decided to build one of its own. The targa-topped FR-S T1 has a removable roof and louvered rear glass.
Scion tC RS 9.0
I expect to see at least a few of these production-ready, limited-edition orange and black Scion tC RS 9.0s rolling around San Francisco in the coming months. Go Giants.
Scion x Riley Hawk Skate Tour xB
This is one of my personal favorite rides on the floor at the SEMA Show. The Scion x Riley Hawk Skate Tour xB has been done up as a homage to the awesome vans of the 1970s.
Scion x Riley Hawk Skate Tour xB
The interior features a wood and shag carpet theme. Look closely at the dashboard and you'll spy an 8-track cassette player. Completing the ambiance is a big box of cassettes. Born in 1992, most kids Riley Hawk's age have probably never seen a working 8-track player.
Scion x Riley Hawk Skate Tour xB
These Yosemite Sam mudflaps complete the look. Is it retro-cool or trying too hard? I'm not sure, but I dig it.
Scion x Slayer Mobile Amp tC
While the xB treated us to Black Sabbath 8-tracks, the Scion x Slayer Mobile Amp tC filled the booth with some face melting metal.
The tC's hatch is filled from top to bottom with Marshall amps and speakers. Where the tow hitch would normally be is a motorized panel that reveals an XLR connection for a guitar or microphone.
Speedhunters Maximum Attack Scion Tuner Challenge FR-S
The Speedhunters Maximum Attack Scion Tuner Challenge FR-S features a 300-horsepower engine, an awe-inspiring list of upgrades, and a simply gorgeous color scheme.
Super Street Scion Tuner Challenge FR-S
Boasting one of the cleanest engine bays in the booth, the Super Street Scion Tuner Challenge FR-S deletes everything not necessary for going fast and hides all of its cables and conduits with the aid of Rywire. Individual throttle bodies highlight the lack of clutter.
Super Street Scion Tuner Challenge FR-S
The Super Street Scion isn't all minimalism. Pop the trunk to find a clean install of Pioneer amps and subwoofers.
1950 Ford F1 Pickup Truck by Roush Racing
This 1950 Ford F1 pickup truck is powered by a 239cc V8 engine that outputs and even 100 horsepower.
1965 Ford Mustang Notchback "Hoonicorn RTR" by Hoonigan Racing
Kent Block is a madman -- a wonderful, wonderful madman. His new Hoonicorn RTR starts with a heavily modified, widebody 1965 Ford Mustang Notchback and then goes nuts with an 845 hp Roush Yates V8.
1969 Ford Boss 429 Mustang KK #1264
You're looking at what Ford claims is one of the rarest muscle cars in the world. Only 859 Boss 429 were built and this was one of the first 50 handbuilt examples to roll off of the line with the 428 Super Cobra Jet V8 engine.
2015 Ford Expedition Platinum by Tjin Edition
I usually associate the Tjin Edition marquee with sports cars and sedans, so it's a bit odd seeing the customizer's aesthetic applied to this 2015 Ford Expedition Platinum.
2015 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew by LEER Truck Caps and Tonneaus
Many customs are wildly styled like this this bright red 2015 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew, but the point is to highlight a part or parts that consumers may want to actually buy. In this case, it's a tonneau cover for the F-150's bed.
2015 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew The "Ultimate Fun-Haver" by RTR and Vaugh Gittin Jr.
It's hard to tell by looking if the “Ultimate Fun-Haver” by RTR and Vaugh Gittin Jr. is actually the ultimate, but it does look like a hoot.
2015 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew The "Ultimate Fun-Haver" by RTR and Vaugh Gittin Jr.
Neon green accent lights and bright green wheels make this slammed F-150 stand out in Ford's booth.
2015 Ford Mustang by Chip Foose
Beneath the angry graphics this Ford Mustang Convertible is powered by a modified version of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. A cold air intake, upgraded race turbo, and custom exhaust boost the output.
2015 Ford Mustang GT by MAD Industries
Candy red paint and gold wheels are what grabbed my attention as I passed this 2015 Mustang GT.
2015 Ford Mustang GT by MAD Industries
Peering under the hood, I spotted the golden, twin-screw supercharger and learned that the 2015 Ford Mustang GT by MAD Industries outputs a stated 725 horsepower. I think I'm in love.
2015 Ford Mustang GT by Roush Performance
Superchargers and V8s are a match made in heaven. This ominous, understated Roush Mustang's combo pays out to the tune of 777 horsepower.
2015 Ford Mustang GT Fastback by Forgiato
Easily one of the most aggressive looking 'Stangs in the booth, the 2015 Ford Mustang GT Fastback by Forgiato features a smoothly integrated widebody kit and a fastback configuration.
Ford Racing King Cobra
Grab every bit from the Ford Racing parts bin and combine them with a scaly graphics scheme and you've got the 2015 Ford Mustang King Cobra. As a nice bonus, you also get over 600 horsepower.
Ford Transit Connect Mobile Hacking and Fabrication Unit by Make: magazine
Over in a kinder, gentler corner of Ford's booth is this blue Transit Connect designed by Make: magazine. This "Mobile Hacking and Fabrication Unit" is outfitted to be a rolling DIY space for makers, builders, and crafty types.
Kinetic Motorsports 2015 Pirelli World Challenge Kia Optima
Kia's SEMA Show offerings are loosely based around the theme "A Day at the Races" so it makes sense that the centerpiece would be its Optima race car.
Ballast Point Kia Sedona
The best way to enjoy a race as a spectator is with a cold beer in hand, so Kia and Ballast Point Brewing Company worked together to transform this 2015 Sedona into a bar on wheels with two beers on tap.
Kia High-Performance K900
The Kia High-Performance K900 is moderately and tastefully modified when compared to the rest of the cray-cray customs surrounding it. Big wheels, custom suspension, and custom lights and sound are about all there is.
Smitten Ice Cream Kia Soul EV
The Kia Soul EV gets an overhaul at the SEMA Show and now features one of Smitten Ice Cream's liquid-nitrogen-powered, made-to-order ice cream machines in its rear hatch.
Smitten Ice Cream Kia Soul EV
A custom ice cream paint job and a matching leather interior finish out the Soul EV's look.
Ultimate Karting Kia Sedona
For those who would rather do the racing themselves, Kia built the Ultimate Karting Sedona. This minivan has been outfitted with everything you need to maintain and run a kart racer.
Ultimate Karting Kia Sedona
The rear cargo area is filled with tools, racing helmets, and fireproof suits. On a trailer, you'll find the racing go-kart in a matching Kia red and white color scheme.