Showing posts with label Tuning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tuning. Show all posts

Monday, October 31, 2011

Kia Optima gets Basketball-Theme Costume Not for Halloween, but for the SEMA Show


It's all about fun and games when it comes to Kia's 2011 SEMA Show displays as the Korean manufacturer has arrived in Las Vegas with a roster of six sports-themed vehicles.

These include the Surfboard Rio and Hockey Forte hatchbacks that we showed you earlier today, plus the golf-themed Soul, Rio 5-Door B-Spec Racer, USTCC Optima Hybrid Pace Car and the “Slam Dunk” Blake Griffin Optima Hybrid featured here.

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Kia Joins Forces with Antenna Magazine to Build Rio and Forte Specials for SEMA Show


Less than 24 hours before the doors open at the 2011 edition of the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show and Kia Motors has revealed a pair of tricked concept models that will make their debut in Las Vegas.

Both the Rio 5-Door Surf and the Forte 5-Door Hockey were built in partnership with Antenna magazine.

Starting with the 2012 Rio, the surf-themed tuning project features a sunset-metallic golden-brown paint along with a custom body kit with a front splitter made of wood that matches the surfboard on the roof, and rear fascia with center-mount exhaust. A set of 17-inch three-piece gold wheels and a Thule roof rack that holds the surfboard complete the look.

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Saturday, October 29, 2011

BMW 325i Convertible E30 wants to be an 8-Series when it Grows Up


While there's only a single digit gap between the E30 and E31 codenames, in reality, these two BMW models couldn't be more different from each other.

The E30, a.k.a. the 1983-1991 3-Series, represented the firm's entry-level family car in the 1980s, while the E31, more widely known as the 8-Series, was the brand's flagship GT coupe in the 1990s.

But one German owner had the bright idea of taking a 1989 325i Convertible (albeit with pre-1987 tail lamps) and fusing the front end of an 850i Coupe on its nose. Of course, there was a slight problem with the width of the 8-Series fascia that was solved by…removing one of the BMW kidney grilles.

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Friday, October 28, 2011

Giggidy Giggidy Goo or What the Deuce? Miss Tuning Calendar 2012 [NSFW]


For better or for worse, tuning shows are as much about modified cars as they are about booth babes - and that's regardless of where they take place. Just wait and see at next week's SEMA Show.

But just to get your engines running – or so to speak, we have a special treat for you, and no, we're not referring to the Nissan 180SX/200SX ...

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Chevy Teases Two Corvette Concepts Ahead of 2011 SEMA Show


If anything, General Motors' Chevrolet brand will have one of the most comprehensive displays at this year's edition of the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas.

We've already given you a sample of the tuned Sonic hatchbacks, Cruze sedans and Camaro Coupe and Convertible concepts that are heading down to the strip, and now it's time to show you a pair of Corvette concept cars.

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Mazda to Woo SEMA Show Crowd with MX-5 Spyder and Mazda2 Turbo Hot Hatch


The countdown to the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas is heating up with only a few days left before the big event kicks off on Tuesday, November 1.

Mazda will be there with at least two concept models including the MX-5 Spyder and the Mazda2 Turbo.

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Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Le Monstre to Terrorize Las Vegas with 1,001HP Supercharged V8


The SEMA Show is all about excess - be that for the appearance and performance of the tuned cars or the…upgraded booth models.

And there seems to be plenty of that going on with the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe created by "The D3 Group", which will be displayed at Toyo Tire U.S.A.'s booth at the Las Vegas aftermarket show.

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Peugeot Expands Range of Accessories for RCZ Sports Coupe


The funky-looking Peugeot RCZ sports coupe has been in the market for a little over a year and now, the French carmaker has decided to introduce a new line of accessories for both new and current owners.

First up is a new sports muffler with dual tailpipes on either side of the bumper that is available in a choice of two designs, with the oval shaped pipes priced at €733 in Germany and the round shape units at €788.

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Chevrolet Camaro and Camaro ZL1 Dress Up for Vegas


Automakers are getting ready for some aftermarket fun at the annual SEMA Show that takes place in Las Vegas from November 1 through 4.

General Motors is heading down to the strip with a variety of concept and project cars including a number of prototypes based on the 2012MY Camaro coupe, convertible and of course, the upcoming ZL1.

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Ford–Approved Body Shell Allows You to Build a '64-'66 Mustang Convertible from the Ground Up


Sure, a fully restored first generation Ford Mustang Convertible with matching chassis and engine numbers is something that many car nuts dream of, but what if you could build a brand new example from the wheels up using officially licensed parts?

Ford now offers this opportunity with the release of an officially licensed 1965 Mustang Convertible body shell that can be turned into a ’64½, ’65 or ’66 model, depending on the trim and powertrain that is installed during the rebuild.

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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Scion xB Reinvented as a Snowboarder's Delight for SEMA Show


It may look like something that popped out of the movie screen and in particular, Pixar's animated Cars franchise, but the funky looking Scion xB is just another one of those wacky project cars that are looking to impress the visitors of next week's 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Called the Scion xB Numeric, the concept is the result of the collaborative work of the following companies: 686, which is a premium snowboarding outerwear brand, Scion Racing –you already know what it does- and Spin Imaging, which specializes in vehicle wraps and graphics.

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Scion iQ Loses its Top and Heads Down to the Strip for the SEMA Show


There's no question that the Pit Boss Cartel iQ is the weirdest of all the Scion iQ mini cars heading down to Las Vegas for next week's SEMA aftermarket show.

Created by Cartel, the Pit Boss is a two-seat speedster version of the small Scion supposedly inspired by the world of motorsports but equipped with the latest word in infotainment systems. A strange mix indeed.

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Scion Previews a Trio of iQ Tuned Concept Cars Ahead of SEMA Show


It won't come as much of a surprise to learn that Toyota's Scion brand is planning to bring several souped-up and conceptual versions of its new iQ mini to the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas next week.

After being originally revealed around the world with Toyota's badges and later on, with Aston Martin's name on its hood, the iQ reached U.S. shores as a Scion earlier this month, so it's only reasonable that the Japanese carmaker wants to create some buzz around the car.

There's more to come, but for the time being we have pictures and details on three customized iQs: the iQ-MR by Tatsu, the iQ-RX by Jon Sibal (yes, that Jon Sibal) and the iQ-RS by Michael Chang. You can check them all out right after the jump.

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A Look at Some of the More Odd Creations of BMW's Individual Division


For the past few decades, BMW's Individual customization division has been catering to the needs of the Bavarian firm's more affluent clientele that are willing to dig a little bit deeper into their pockets to personalize their vehicles.

The firm's Individual workshop promises to fulfill almost any wishes as long as they comply with safety requirements and legal stipulations.

And while one client's request to base all colors used on an M6 Coupe around a Hawaiian Koawood trim worked out nicely (see video here), we can't say the same for the lamb wool floor mats found on a 2008 7-Series or the custom fabric interior trim on the 1992 7-Series.

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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

SEMA Preview: Ram SRT 392 Quick Silver Packs 470-Ponies Under the Hood


The Chrysler Group's now independent Ram brand hopes to turn some heads at this year’s SEMA Show with the Ram 392 Quick Silver concept.

The brawny pickup truck started life as a 2011 Ram R/T but Mopar's engineers replaced the stock 390HP 5.7-liter V8 with a SRT-sourced 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8 with 470-horses.

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DMC's Ferrari 458 Italian Milano to Receive its Motorshow Debut at SEMA


German tuning firm DMC is heading down to the strip for this year's SEMA Show with a Ferrari 458 Italia dressed in its new Milano styling and performance package.

Albeit available in various colors, the 458 Italia Milano that will be displayed in Las Vegas features a two-tone paint job that combines a yellow finish for the body with matte black for the roof and tail gate.

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Rhys Millen Video Teases SEMA Hyundai Special but Doesn't Say What it is


Once again, Hyundai is collaborating with Rhys Millen Racing [RMR] to create a special project car for this year's edition of the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas.

Even though the show is less than a week away, Hyundai and Rhys Millen won't give out many details in the 40-second-long teaser video. The only valuable clue we get is a quick glimpse at a tail lamp that looks a lot like the one featured on the Genesis Coupe, but we're not 100 percent sure.

You can watch the video for yourself right after the break.

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Aftermarket Firms Develop Power Operated Soft Top for Jeep Wrangler


Along with myriads of new concept and project cars, next week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas will also see many aftermarket companies debuting numerous new vehicle components and accessories.

Jeep specialist RuggedRidge and RoadWire both revealed that they would use the SEMA Show to launch new power operated convertible tops for the JK Wrangler.

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MINI Clubman JCW Showcar by Wimmer RS and Mac Audio is a Loud Inside and Out


Mac Audio, a manufacturer of amplifiers and loudspeakers, has tapped German tuning specialist Wimmer RS to create a showcar version of the Mini Clubman John Cooper Works [JCW].

And no, the highlight of the hot hatch is not the blonde model seen in the pictures but the extreme audio system found in the heavily modified interior, which was customized by Mac Audio's own Professional Installation Team headed by Nic König.

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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Five Axis Takes the 2013 GS 350 F Sport to the Next Level


If weren't overly impressed with the factory 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport we showed you earlier today, then perhaps you may want to take a look at what Five Axis has prepared for the SEMA Show next week.

Troy Sumitomo's tuning company has taken the new GS 350 with the F Sport package to the next level with a custom wide bodykit that beefs up the wheel arches and adds several new components such as the side skirts and wraparound rear spoiler.

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