EVENT: SEMA 2010 PT.8
We hope you are enjoying our extensive coverage of SEMA. This time around, I'll focus on some of the European and Exotic vehicles at the show. There is always a lack of European cars at SEMA, this year was no exception. Despite this, there were a few highlights.
This always had a crowd around it. A BMW E92 Vorsteiner 'GTRS3' widebody was covered in Satin Silver Vinyl by Waptivo.
This clean M3 sedan was subtle for a SEMA show........until you opened the hood. How about a G-Power supercharger which results in over 635hp!
Green is one of the few colours which can work well in Matte. Don't think I would do this to my 3er.
Despite a huge VW tuning scene, there was little at SEMA, although Audi did have a stand for the first time. I preferred this R8 convertible on Matte Stasis wheels. Under the hood, this R8 is supercharged, increasing power to 710hp
Audi also displayed this Automated TT Pikes Peak car. This car is driverless and was developed with Stanford University and went up Pikes Peaks with no driver. Like the Pikes Peak inspired Audi Sport livery. This must be the fifth retro Audi Sport Rally livery I've seen this year. Are Audi trying to tell us something?
Abt also showed this A5 as well as their R8 we showed in an earlier review.
HRE showed the Audi powered Gumpert Apollo at the show, the same car which was at the Need for Sped Hot Pursuit launch last week in LA. A beast!
The wheels halls are packed with supercar and high end luxury. Personally, I’m not a fan of over the top wheels on supercars, but there were still some gems to be seen. I loved this Graphite and Black colour combo on the Ferrari 458.
Likewise, this Ferrari 599 GTO in a Pearlescent White drew the crowds….
Underground Racing showed a couple of their Lamborghini’s. This Twin Turbo Murcielago LP670-4 SV was on the Mobil 1 stand and just happens to be for sale…..
BMW were also represented in the Wheel and Tire hall, by Michael Essa’s BMW 335i with the V10 engine . Looks much better since I last saw it, riding high, at Long Beach.
Moving away from the European cars, this was the first time I’d seen the Fisker Karma Hybrid. It looks great in the flesh. Easily fits in with the Aston Martin- Maserati crowd.
At the other end of the spectrum......
I was impressed with all of Spectra’s vehicles at the show including their ‘Speedliner’. Originally built in the 90’s, Spectra acquired the vehicle in 2006 and rebuilt the car to their own specification.
Do you think that would fit in a CTS-V?
The Streamliner recently became the fastest gasoline fueled, wheel-driven car in history with an average speed of 408mph! Due to some strange FIA rules, the existing record of 406mph stands as the run must be at least 1% quicker to count.
I received a couple of request about the car next to the Spectre Camaro, we showed in one of our earlier reviews.
Here it is, a LS2 powered Autocross Pontiac GTO (aka Holden/Vauxhall Monaro) with a tubbed rear. It has some interesting fender flares, lip spoiler and drag style rear wing. Spectre have only just started playing with this.
SEMA isn’t really the place for a car debut, but Vortex Motors of Seattle launched their new ‘F1’. I'm sure an old guy who goes by the name of 'Bernie' might have something to say about that name....
An Ariel Atom/Caterham 7 roadster. Powered by a modified GM 2.0 Ecotec, this should be up to the task given its weight is 1400lb. Output is rated between 290-360hp depending on spec. Will be interesting to see how it performs.
More from SEMA later this week as we wrap up our coverage taking a look at Scion, Honda and Ford.
In the meantime, another image of the Fairlady Z on the Enkei stand.
-Andy Blackmore
