Fox Marketing Working on Turbocharged Lexus IS Convertible for SEMA

We're still months away from the this year's SEMA show that will take place once again in Las Vegas in early November, but Fox Marketing decided to tease us by releasing a rendering of their upcoming project car that will be based upon the new Lexus IS Convertible. Details are still sketchy as the only thing we know about the car is that it will feature an IS-F style bodykit and a turbocharged engine. It remains to be seen if the tuner will opt to turbocharge one of the existing 2.5 or 3.5-liter V6 units, or if they'll go all the way fitting the hardtop cabrio with the IS-F's 5.0-liter V8.

Via: TRMTuned & Jalopnik

SEMA Show BatSmart Fortwo up for Sale on eBay

Forget about the Batmobile "Tumbler" depicted in Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Night" films; if the caped crusader were to be Cartman - The Coon politically correct in these eco-conscious times we live in, this should have been his choice of wheels: a crime fighting, blacked-out and bat-winged Smart Fortwo. Okay but seriously now, this Smart Fortwo mini-Batmobile that was built by Harley Motorsports with a little help from the creator of the 1966 Batmobile, George Barris, is up for grabs on eBay.

The one-off BatSmart that made its world premiere at last year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, is clearly inspired by the '66 Batmobile. Visual treats include the roof-mounted bat-wings, red-pin stripping and even a faux turbine and a parachute - just in case you overdo it and go over 60mph and want to come to a complete halt...

As we speak, the highest bid for the Bat Smart on eBay is US$16,100, however, that is below the seller's reserve price, so unless Harley Motorsports decides otherwise, it will sell for more. And no, as much as we would have liked, the Catwoman depicted in these photos is not included in the sale.

Via: RPMgo (formerly known as Auto Unleashed) , Link: eBay

Toyota Preparing Venza Projects for SEMA Show

Toyota’s SEMA show stand in Las Vegas this November will host the debut of two customized versions of the Venza crossover. Beginning with Five Axis’ Venza AS V, it features a complete bodykit with new front and rear bumpers as well as slightly wider fenders and 20-inch alloy wheels. One of the most prominent features on the Venza AS V will be the integrated stow-away rack system created by Magna Car Top Systems that can transport a variety of items like bicycles and skis. -Continued

Second up is the SportLux Venza by Street Image that sports a bodykit and new alloy wheels. Interior modifications include the upgraded black/burgundy leather treatment and an upscale navigation unit that is equipped with a full entertainment system. Furthermore, Street Image says that it will also upgrade the engine as well as the braking and suspension systems.

Rhys Millen’s 2008 SEMA Hyundai Genesis Coupe in the Works

One of the three Genesis Coupes set to make a splash at Hyundai’s 2008 SEMA show booth in late-November is the so-called “Art of Speed” by Rhys Millen Racing (RMR). Back in July, RMR and Hyundai produced a teaser sketch of the vehicle so we could get a taste of what to expect in Las Vegas. Now, the folks over at Rhys Millen have released real-life images of the Genesis Coupe striped down to pieces in their workshop. -Continued

The “Art of Speed” that will be based on the base 4-cylinder Genesis Coupe will benefit among other things from a new turbo kit for the 2.0-liter engine which will be matted to a HKS sequential race transmission, sport suspension, larger Brembo brakes, Enkei alloy wheels, an eight-point roll cage and a RMR wide body kit.

Via: Cardomain

SEMA 2008: Hyundai Genesis Coupe tuned by Street Concepts

Joining the propositions from Rhys Millen and HKS, the Street Concepts Genesis Coupe is the third variation Hyundai’s new rear-wheel-drive Coupe scheduled to debut at the 2008 SEMA show in November. Unlike the other two tuning proposals that are equipped with turbochargers, the Street Concepts Coupe features a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine enhanced with a sport exhaust and cold air intake system. Other mechanical improvements include a modified suspension and Brembo brakes. -Continued

On the outside, Street Concepts will go for a black camouflage and what the company calls, “a stealth fighter-inspired paint design” complemented by a custom grille design, tinted taillights and an APR rear wing along with a set of 19-inch racing wheels. Interior modifications include carbon fiber dashboard accents, a custom Infinity audio system, Cobra seats and black suede accents.

Via: Jalopnik

Mercedes-Benz to Reveal Four Customized GLK SUVs at SEMA

The marketing folks over at Mercedes seem to have had their fill with the GLK’s femme fatal promo campaign that began with the compact SUV’s appearance at the “Sex and the City Movie” as they are now getting ready to target the male audience with the introduction of four customized versions of the GLK at the this year's SEMA show, taking place November 4-7 in Las Vegas. The customized GLKs are being prepared by RENNTech, Brabus, Boulevard Customs and Legendary Motor Cars. -Continued

Starting off with RENNTech’s Rally Racer, the Florida-based tuning firm said that it has taken inspiration from the iconic Pikes Peak Hillclimb to create this special GLK concept that will be powered by a hybrid-powertrain.

Brabus on its behalf will present the GLK300 BLUETEC Widestar equipped with a wide body aero kit that includes flowing front and rear wheel arch flares and redesigned front and rear bumpers complemented with bespoke wheels and a matching interior.

Continuing with Boulevard Customs, the Florida-based firm’s GLK proposition is dubbed “The Urban Whip” and it features a wide body styling kit, massive 26-inch wheels and tires, redesigned interior and a seriously upgraded stereo system.

Finally, Legendary Motor Cars is readying the “Four Corners Rock Crawler” equipped with massive off-road wheels, roof lights and what the company describes as an “innovative winching system to propel skate and wakeboarders up to speed and actually ‘grind’ down the vehicle's specially integrated side rails” – whatever that means.

Mopar-Prepped Dodge Ram R/T Concept Heads to SEMA

Even though truck sales in the U.S. are dropping like flies, there will always be a market for vehicles like the new Dodge Ram. And when there’s a market, there’s an aftermarket. Chrysler LLC’s Mopar division is now readying a customized version of the range-topping Ram R/T for the world’s largest aftermarket trade show, the 2008 SEMA which will take place in Las Vegas this November. The 2009 Ram R/T is powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 pushing out 390 HP and according to Dodge, the run from nought to 60mph (96 km/h) take a mere 5.6 seconds. -Continued

According to the folks at ‘TheCarConnection, the SEMA show Ram R/T will get a full bodykit treatment that includes a dual snorkel aluminum hood with carbon fiber accent strips (just like the Challenger) and a hard tonneau complete with an integrated spoiler. The Ram R/T’s ‘bad boy’ looks are complemented by a set of 22-incg machine forged alloy wheels wrapped in 285/45R22 front and 305/40R22 rear tires and the lowered suspension. Inside the souped-up Ram R/T will feature a sportier trim and special leather sport seats.

Via: Thecarconnection

Lexus IS-F Twin Turbo V8 with over 600HP by Fox Marketing-Artisan

Power-hungry Lexus IS-F owners might be happy to know that Fox Marketing and Artisan are preparing a twin-turbo version of the Japanese performance sedan for the 2008 SEMA show that takes place in Las Vegas this November. According to Artisan’s estimates, the twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V8 that also benefits from JE pistons, Crower rods, a Mishimoto radiator and a custom exhaust system will deliver more than 600 HP to the rear wheels. -Continued

In terms of styling, the IS-F has been fitted with a clean bodykit consisting of custom made bumpers and side skirts complemented by new 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Toyo T1R tires (255/35R20 front and 305/30R20 rear).

Via: Autoblog.com

HKS Prepped Hyundai Genesis Coupe Coming to SEMA

Hyundai seems to be working with a large number of aftermarket tuners to create several souped-up Genesis Coupes for this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show that will take place in Las Vegas this November. The latest tuner to announce that it is working on the rear-wheel-drive Korean coupe is HKS. The tuning firm said that its version of the Genesis Coupe will feature a series of modifications including a HKS GT Turbo upgrade (we presume that HKS is talking about the 212HP 2.0-liter turbo engine), a custom exhaust system and intake system, a new engine management unit and a fully-adjustable suspension. -Continued

As expected, HKS will also upgrade the Genesis Coupe’s appearance with a functional bodykit designed by Ken Style. Inside, HKS says that it will emphasize driver comfort and control with HKS electronics including the CAMP2 that monitors up to 24 data signals from the Genesis OBD2 and programmable calculations for fuel costs, average fuel consumption and fuel efficiency in real time.

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Hyundai

Hurst to Present 500+ HP Supercharged Dodge Challenger at SEMA

Hurst has teamed up with a number of companies to create a collectible limited edition version of the Dodge Challenger SRT8 that will make its debut at the Las Vegas SEMA show in late November. Available in four trim levels through participating Dodge dealerships from early 2009, the Hurst-prepped Challenger SRT8 will pack more than 500 ponies under its hood while other improvements will include a set of polished five-spoke HURST alloy wheels and a classic pistol-grip Hurst shifter. -Continued

“The new HURST/HEMI Challenger is more than just another muscle car. It epitomizes the performance industries tradition of taking the best Detroit has to offer and adding 21st century performance parts to make your ride faster and cooler than the other guys,” said Nate Shelton, Chairman of HURST.

“HURST has a long history of doing just that with guys like Don Garlits, Warren Johnson, Dick Landy and even celebrity racers Steve McQueen and Jim Garner. The new HURST/HEMI Challenger is the first of many HURST Performance Vehicles to come. We are ready to make some more history,” Shelton added.

Via: eGMcartech, Source: Hurst