sema show


SEMA 2009 Worst of Show: This car stinks...

Stinks. You might think that we're talking about the overall design of this shockingly orange scissor-door/scissor-trunk Dodge Charger R/T. Or the build quality, what with panel gaps that you can insert your index finger into, wheels so large the tie-rods can't hold them and the world's saddest piece of vinyl covering the trunk's goofy hinge. You might even be under the impression that we're referring to the poor Charger's taillights, which set a new SEMA low. But you'd be mistaken. While this poor, 26-inch dubbed Charger has no doubt been ... Read more →

SEMA 2009: Booth Professionals are anything but stock Frank Filipponio

This year's SEMA show in Las Vegas didn't have quite the gravitas of years past, as the state of the economy and the automotive industry in particular seemed to be a wet blanket over the whole ...

SEMA 2009: What we didn't get to cover Frank Filipponio

Every year at SEMA, we fill the week with posts featuring special vehicles and products that we felt were important enough to share. Generally, they are the most newsworthy projects and new model ...

SEMA 2009: 1951 Henry J gasser is a 7-second blast from the past Frank Filipponio

Here's another black beauty that caught our attention in the halls of SEMA 2009. It's a 1951 Kaiser Henry J owned and raced by Chris Beanes of California. Running in A/Gas, this gloss-free ...

SEMA 2009: The rest of the best at the Ford display Jonny Lieberman

SEMA is an interesting show. We go in knowing full well that 60-75% of the cars we'll be walking past and/or covering are just trash. Sorry if this bombshell offends anyone, but your Chrysler ...

SEMA 2009: The Chevrolet Camaro 'splosion!!! 1 month ago on Autoblog

In past years at SEMA, there has always been a single vehicle that seems to be the most popular at the show. Last year, it was the Dodge Challenger and Nissan GTR, but there weren't enough to be overwhelming. This year, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro came and infested the Las Vegas convention ...

SEMA 2009: Blackout Bentley balances the bad 1 month ago on Autoblog

It seems that matte black is the new black this year at SEMA, especially if you broaden if to gray and slip bare carbon fiber into the category. This particular application of said coloring resides on a sinister looking Bentley Continental GT. Besides the satin paint, it's wearing a Premier ...

SEMA 2009: Meguiars Wraptivo brings vinyl car wraps to the masses 1 month ago on Autoblog

When we think of vinyl wraps, we usually picture flat-billed baseball caps worn by tattooed dude-bros driving lifted pickups with the latest energy drink plastered on the sides. Or budget Bubbles. Or Fast and Furious poseurs. But we've always seen the potential for enthusiasts looking for an ...

SEMA 2009: Ford SVT Raptor even more appealing with 6.2-liter V8 1 month ago on Autoblog

If Ford had only offered the 5.4-liter V8 in the SVT Raptor and called it a day, we doubt anyone would have complained. Just the fact that the Blue Oval even had the guts to build such a vehicle deserves applause. But they didn't. The 2009 SEMA Show saw the introduction of Ford's 6.2-liter V8 ...

SEMA 2009: Ford Taurus puts on a good SHO 1 month ago on Autoblog

We didn't expect much from Ford's new fulls-size four-door at this year's SEMA show, but the quartet of Taurus Concepts were actually pretty impressive. The design lends itself better to customization than we might've thought, and we wouldn't be surprised to see quite a few owners ...

SEMA 2009: Rev for iPhone reaches 2.0, includes data-logging [w/ VIDEO] 1 month ago on Autoblog

Since there are approximately one trillion iPhones in the world and about ten-times as many apps, it's not hard to find a program to suit your needs. But in the automotive sphere, there aren't nearly as many quality applications and even fewer that can deliver the information most gearheads ...

SEMA 2009: The geekiest thing we've found so far 1 month ago on Autoblog

Tire pressure monitoring systems. Not the sexiest thing here at SEMA, but bear with us for a few minutes to geek out on one of the coolest things we've seen at the show that doesn't involve a whole vehicle. Autometer – which recently bought Stack and its line of competition gauges – ...

SEMA 2009: HPP Daytona is one big Hot Wheels toy 1 month ago on Autoblog

We've been hearing about this car for three days, but we just couldn't find it. Then, just before lunch, one of our intrepid reporters tracked the beast down within the tropical bowels of Las Vegas Convention Center's Central Hall. Behold: the HPP Daytona! Yes, it's a new Dodge Challenger ...

SEMA 2009: Mid-engined Ghepardo is one part Corvette, one part Camaro, 100% SEMA 1 month ago on Autoblog

Here's what we know: Caccia Custom Cars took a 2002 Chevy Camaro and a 2002 Chevy Corvette and created the Ghepardo. The car uses the Camaro's frame and the Corvette's motor and suspension. The motor is mounted amidships, albeit backwards (note the throttle body). And the House of Kolor paint is ...

SEMA 2009: Meet the world's most desirable Lexus RX450h by Branew 1 month ago on Autoblog

Let me be blunt: I don't like luxury crossovers. At all. It's a niche with no appeal to me whatsoever. Not a car, not a truck – just a fat sedan jacked up on stilts to woo trophy wives with fancy badges and reassure soccer mammas that their children are "safe." And the Lexus RX gets the ...

SEMA 2009: Hyundai Genesis Coupes out in force in Vegas 1 month ago on Autoblog

While the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang are the de facto coupes of the show, as suspected, tuners have taken a liking to Hyunda'si Genesis Coupe, with numerous modified examples peppered throughout the show floor. The 3.8-liter V6 is arguably the better driver, and the Road/Race version in ...

SEMA 2009: Bigfoot still a crowd favorite, 35 years later 1 month ago on Autoblog

We distinctly remember 3rd grade. Specifically, sitting in the library once a month during recess. Why would we give up dodgeball and four-square to sit inside and read? Because the new issues of Off Road and 4Wheeler had just dropped and they had stories about Bigfoot! Bearfoot too, and ...

SEMA 2009: Custom Suzuki Kizashi models impress, upset 1 month ago on Autoblog

We totally dig the new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi. It's a bold step forward for Suzuki and (hopefully) a harbinger of great things to come, which also happens to be what "Kizashi" means. However, the looks are a little, well... not outstanding. Not that it's particularly bad-looking (it ain't), but ...

SEMA 2009: Lexus F-Sports sitting in the sun 1 month ago on Autoblog

It's tempting to dismiss Lexus' F-Sport as a direct Audi S-Line rip off. But unlike Audi's visual-only appearance upgrades, F-Sport actually offers some performance (intake, exhaust, brakes, etc.), handling and exterior body mods. Advantage, Lexus. And we like the Yakuza-y stance of this GS ...

SEMA 2009: HTT Plethore LC-750, yet another ambitious supercar startup 1 month ago on Autoblog

"I'm not an engineer. I'm an electrician," Luc Chartrand admits through his thick Quebecois accent. I believe him. Chartrand, a former karting and stock-car driver, is the lone designer, engineer and founder of HTT, a Montreal-based supercar upstart, unveiling the first prototype of his 11-year ...

SEMA 2009: Yenko Camaro cuts through the aftermarket fog 1 month ago on Autoblog

There a lot of new Camaros here at SEMA. In fact, depending upon your depth of exhaustion, residual blood-alcohol level from last night and general brain-deadedness, you might be forgiven for thinking that every other car here is a Camaro. And some of them, well, ain't so great. Useless ground ...

SEMA 2009: Toyota Tundra Hot Rod kinda cool misses the bullseye 1 month ago on Autoblog

Yeah... Toyota is painting this one as a what-would-happen if Tundras existed back during the hot rodding heyday of the 1950s. We'll let you draw your own conclusions about that. However, we would like to take this opportunity to point out that the grill would have been chrome, not matte. And ...

SEMA 2009: A trio of modded Lexus customs drop their tops 1 month ago on Autoblog

While it might be tempting to dismiss the Lexus C (either the 250 or 350) as a bustled buttocksed luxury faux-sports car, Lexus implanted enough good handling (in the 250 C) and/or POWA! (in the 350 C) to make 'em pretty much OK in our book. Still, this is SEMA -- pretty much OK is never even ...

SEMA 2009: Saleen officially unveils 2010 S281 Mustang 1 month ago on Autoblog

After a few teasers photos via Flickr, Saleen Performance Vehicles has finally given us our first live view of its 2010 S281 Mustang. Those initial pictures showed lots of potential, and our positive first impressions were confirmed when we saw the car in person. To put it bluntly, Saleen has ...

SEMA 2009: Mugen-fettled Accord, Fit aren't the big Honda story from SEMA 1 month ago on Autoblog

In addition to announcing its plans to reinvigorate its participation in grassroots racing, Honda revealed two Mugen-accessorized models -- a 2010 Accord Sedan and Fit -- each outfitted with a range of parts available at dealers, but not a standalone model, ala Mugen Civic. While the 18-inch ...

SEMA 2009: Hurst completes the muscle car trifecta with Mustang, Camaro 1 month ago on Autoblog

We can't believe it's been just a year since Hurst unveiled its stunning white and gold Hemi Challenger. Since that time we've seen a few variations, including different color combinations and the Competition/Plus model, and we even got to see how the cars were built. Up to this point, all of ...

SEMA 2009: Hennessey HPE700 Camaro 1 month ago on Autoblog

We like subtle and we like power. But at SEMA the two are usually mutually exclusive. Usually. After laying eyes and hands all over the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro HPE700 LS9 and talking at length with John Hennessey, we think we've found our favorite Chevy of the show. We've been covering its ...

SEMA 2009: Living vicariously through Ken Block and his Subaru TRAX STI 1 month ago on Autoblog

Way back in April, we got tipped off to a video of a lifted and tracked Subaru WRX STI conquering the snowy climes of... somewhere. Before we caught a glimpse of the graphics and competition number, we knew who was behind it: Ken Block. Now, over six months later, the driving deity and snowboard ...

SEMA 2009: A quintet of concept Scions leaves us hungry for more 1 month ago on Autoblog

Just like last year, Scion had a group of tuners develop a whole range of models for SEMA 2009. Clustered in one corner of the Central Hall, the group included the Brandon Leung pickup and 0-60 Rally xD we showed you earlier, as well as another handful of tricked out Toyota lites. First up ...

SEMA 2009: Pick your Mustang, any Mustang 1 month ago on Autoblog

Last week we showed you a preview of some of the Mustangs that were going to be at SEMA, and now we can bring you live photos of them from the show floor. Despite the common platform, each of the Mustangs has a unique look and even a unique color. We especially liked the versions from Street ...

SEMA 2009: Jeep Lower Forty a favorite in the Mopar display 1 month ago on Autoblog

Our SEMA coverage generally doesn't include too much from the off-road segment, but the Jeep Lower Forty concept in the Mopar booth was too good to pass up. Sporting 40-inch Mickey Thompson tires, this Jeep can pretty much go wherever it wants without the help of a suspension lift. Granted, ...

SEMA 2009: Lingenfelter T/A Concept a throwback to the 455 Super Duty 1 month ago on Autoblog

We can't come to a consensus about the Lingenfelter T/A Concept. Half of us are bathing in the warm glow of the '70s when the Trans-Am was the car to have, while the rest of us see a mix-and-mash of different cars of different generations and an overall design disconnect. Either way, the car is ...

SEMA 2009: 0-60 takes the Scion xD rallying 1 month ago on Autoblog

Screw convention! Why do you have to build a rally car out of something sporty? Or powerful? Or off-road-worthy? According to 0-60 magazine at least, you don't have to. You can build a rally car out of just about anything. Take this Scion xD for instance. It's probably among the last cars you'd ...

Kia Forte Koup going racing in 2010 Grand-Am Koni Challenge series 1 month ago on Autoblog

For the first time in its history in the U.S. market, Kia is going racing in 2010. Kia announced today at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas that it has partnered with the Kinetic Group to build and compete with a pair of new Forte Koups in the 2010 Grand-Am Koni Challenge series. The Koups will be ...

SEMA 2009: Dodge Challenger 1320, living life a 1/4 mile at a time 1 month ago on Autoblog

It's always somewhat dark and murky down at the Mopar booth at SEMA, but this year Chrysler managed to bring out some pretty cool concepts. One of our favorites is this Dodge Challenger 1320 (if you don't know the reference, channel you inner Vin Diesel), which started as a Drag Pak Challenger ...

SEMA 2009: Brandon Leung's Scion xB channels Bonneville circa 1955 1 month ago on Autoblog

When we look at a Scion xB we tend to think of a lot of things, few of which are very flattering. One thing we definitely don't think of is a Bonneville Salt Flats bike hauler from the '50s, until now. That's probably why we're bloggers and not designers. Fortunately for us there is Brandon ...

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Autoblog Podcast #157: Mike Levine trucks along with us.

Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com joins Chris, Sam, and Dan this week and gets a chance to talk about cars, too! 

 
 

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