One million-square foot of floor space at the Las Vegas Convention Centre is playing host to SEMA, a motor show like no other.
SEMA is the Speciality Equipment Market Association’s annual trade show, an event where more than 2500 of the global organisation for the aftermarket’s members display their latest products to more than 60,000 members of the trade.
From alloy wheels so large they can’t be fitted to cars as no suspension system will house them, to fully fettled models that look like they’re straight out of a Fast and Furious film, the exhibits and show stars are a world away from the norm on the regular motor show circuit.
In recent years, car manufacturers have significantly increased their support for SEMA, creating bespoke models and giving even the most humble car in a line-up a performance makeover. Star cars at this year’s show include a whole host of bespoke Ford Mustangs, a new racing version of the Mazda MX-5, and a performance version of the Lexus RC F. At the more unusual end of the scale is a mobile brewery built into a Kia Sedona and the world's first car fitted with 34in alloys.
Globally this tuning part of the industry is worth more than £21 billion as consumers seek ever more bespoke customisation and performance for their models. A lot of recent growth has come SUVs, something reflected at the 2014 SEMA show with scores of new custom trucks.
To view some of the highlights from this year’s SEMA show, click through our picture special and let us know your favourites – or those models that missed the mark – in the comments section below. Stay tuned tomorrow also for another special gallery of some of the more the weird and wonderful creations at SEMA.
Top five cars at SEMA
The King Cobra was one of several Mustangs created for SEMA. The work of Ford Racing, the King Cobra harks back to the 1978 special edition of the same name. A supercharger boosts power of the V8 to 616bhp, while an aerodynamic pack and handling pack provide the dynamic upgrades.
Toyota Camry dragster
A humble Camry on the Toyota stand was not quite what it seemed at first glance. For under its body was the chassis of an 850bhp, tube-framed dragster. The 5.7-litre V8 engine that powers it is sourced form the Toyota Tundra pick-up truck. A nitrous oxide boost systems provides extra shove.
This concept car previews a new MX-5 that will go racing in 2016. A global race series will launch in 2016, with championships in North America, Europe and Japan. The best competitors in each will head to Laguna Seca for an end of year shootout. The engine is a 2.0-litre petrol unit, but no other tech details have been revealed.
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Mazda MX-5
Pants. Awful F150 truck.