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03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Hyundai couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate venue for the launch of the tuner-friendly Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec than the SEMA Show. Shown for the first time at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, the R-Spec model gets all the goodies included in the excellent Track pack, but without all the added luxury features, making it not only lighter but much cheaper than you might exepct. Hyundai has priced the car from $23,750, which is $3,000 less than the standard Track model.

Hyundai calls the car a, “perfect blank canvas for tuners.”

The R-Spec model includes such goodies as 19-inch gunmetal finished alloy wheels and performance tires, Brembo brakes and a Torsen limited-slip differential; but does without items like Bluetooth connectivity, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls.

The car also gets a set of front strut camber adjustment bolts. It will be offered exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission and will come with R-Spec badging. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec will be available in three colors, Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red.

GALLERY: Hyunda Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec

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03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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To help promote Subaru’s in-house performance tuning department, the automaker build a custom WRX STI using only parts from the Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) and STI catalogs. Unveiled at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the SPT WRX STI makes 315-hp (up from 305-hp), thanks to an SPT exhaust system. Otherwise, the factory turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four remains untouched.

Under the hood, there’s an SPT turbo heat shield and a selection of shiny bits, including a billet oil cap and battery hold down. Outside, the car also gets some extra style with a new front lip spoiler and exhaust finishers. Oh, and let’s not forget the 19×8.5-inch Prodrive GT2 wheels in Glitter Gold.

Wrapped in wear Michelin Pilot Sport rubber to help the car’s cornering abilities, the STI also gets some assistance from STI performance springs, an SPT strut tower brace and lower chassis brace.

Inside, the car is mostly stock with an added SPT boost gauge, a media hub audio system, an STI shift knob and some all-weather floor mats.

GALLERY: Subaru Performance Tuning WRX STI

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03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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As though Ford didn’t have enough going on at the 2009 SEMA Show, the automaker today announced two big updates for the amazing F-150 SVT Raptor. First up is official confirmation and performance numbers for the new, larger V8 engine. Possibly the only weak point in the Raptor was its relatively average 320-hp 5.4-liter V8 motor. Now, Ford has said a new 6.2-liter V8 with 411-hp and 434 ft-lbs of torque that will be available starting December 1st. The new, more powerful off-road capable truck will be priced from $41,995.

Possibly more exciting for the true off-road enthusiasts is news that Ford will also offer a new competition-ready FR Raptor XT, which is essentially the same vehicle that ran in the 2008 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, but with the same comfort features of the standard Raptor. It will get the same 6.2-liter V8, but tuned to 500-hp, along with a six-speed automatic transmission and a suspension that allows for 15-inches of front travel and 18-inches of rear travel.

Ford will build just 50 FR Raptor XTs at a price of $99,950 each.

GALLERY: Ford F-150 Raptor

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Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Kept under wraps until today, Subaru used the 2009 SEMA Show to showcase the tuning possibilities for the new 2010 Legacy with a VIP-styled Legacy 2.5GT. In true Japanese VIP fashion, this Legacy 2.5GT gets a deep purple paint job, an air ride suspension and a set of 20-inch wheels wit a 4-inch lip.

To fit the big wheels, the car’s fenders had to be flared wit other modifications including a long list of JDM Legacy parts like a hood, bumper, grille as well as HID headlights and fog lights. The car also gets a roof spoiler as well as a rear decklid spoiler. In order to fit the smooth JDM hood, the Legacy’s top-mount intercooler was replaced with a Mishimoto front mount intercooler.

Factor Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) parts were also included like an oil cap and battery tie-down.

The cabin gets a complete diamond-stitch leather treatment. The rear seat area was changed significantly with two bucket seats, two LCD screens and a huge audio setup.

Be sure to check out the full gallery below:

GALLERY: Subaru Legacy 2.GT VIP

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03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Out of all the tuned vehicles at Subaru’s 2009 SEMA Show booth, we have to say the Legacy Wagon GTk is our top pick. Designed to bring together the best aspects of the Legacy sedan and the Outback wagon/crossover, the Legacy Wagon GTk was built as a capable autocross vehicle that can also carry a go kart in the back. And that’s just what it does with enough cargo room to fit a Coyote Motorsports XP kart.

Built by Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), with several parts like the rear spoiler and HID headlights donated from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy, the GTk also gets custom SVI parts like a new front bumper, quad-tipped exhaust system and a new vented hood.

Under that hood you’ll find the Legacy GT’s turbo 2.5-liter boxer engine that has been modified with a new exhaust system and a reprogrammed ECU to make 300-hp and 350 ft-lbs of torque – up from 265-hp and 258 ft-lbs. There’s also a six-speed manual transmission – yummy!

Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) and STI parts were also tossed on, including an STI shift knob and SPT short shifter.

To make it a real autocross champ, the Legacy gets an SPT strut brace, Bilstein shocks, STI “pink” springs, 6-piston Brembo brakes up front and a 4-piston setup in the rear, along with a set of 19-inch HRE Comp wheels and 245/50/19 BF Goodrich Force-KDW 2 tires.

In the past, Subaru did offer a Legacy wagon, so here’s hoping this concept car creates enough interest for them to consider bringing it back.

GALLERY: Subaru Legacy Wagon GTk

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03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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With the SEMA Show barely open for a few hours, we’ve only seen a small portion of the vehicles on display and while we don’t want to jump to conclusions, it’s entirely possible that the Bomex Camaro featured in the General Motors booth is the most extreme Camaro on display.

Looking like some sort of super villain straight out of an episode of Power Rangers, Japanese bodykit manufacturer Bomex has created an ultra-aggressive aero kit for the 2010 Camaro, with numerous modifications and massively flared fenders that would make even the standard Camaro (already a massive vehicle)

Inside those big fenders are a set of 22-inch Dolce Euro wheels and some big Rotora brakes, with eight-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers.

As extreme as the exterior is, the interior is actually a marked improvement over the Camaro’s otherwise bland cockpit, with leather and diamond-quilted Alcantara in both red and black.

A Bomex representative told us this one-off car was custom made for the SEMA Show, but that Bomex will offer a more subtle aero kit for the new Camaro in the future.

GALLERY: Bomex 2010 Camaro

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03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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After much anticipation, Rhys Millen Racing has finally unveiled its mid-engined V8-powered Genesis Coupe at the 2009 SEMA Show. The RMR460 gets its name from the powerful Tau 4.6-liter V8, that has been borrowed from the Genesis Sedan. But RMR wasn’t satisfied with leaving the engine stock, instead choosing to upgrade the engine’s internals (with things like JE pistons) ad a set of eight individual throttle bodies for optimum throttle respponse and power. Output is rated at 500-hp!

Finally, a new transmission was needed to get all that power to the rear wheels and for that RMR went to Mendeola for a five-seed sequential box that allows the car to reach a top speed of 182 mph!

Additional modifications include an RMR Signature Edition Kit, a carbon fiber rear spoiler and rear hatch, Sparco seats and 20-inch HRE 560 series wheels, with some big 285/30/20 rear Toyo T1R tires.

GALLERY: Rhys Millen Racing RMR460 Genesis Coupe

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03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Easy one of the most eye-popping cars at Ford’s SEMA Show booth is the Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR-C 2010 Mustang – and that’s saying a lot considering Ford’s massive presence at this year’s show. With a complete carbon fiber body, all we know is the folks at German tuner Mansory (know for building cars like a full carbon bodied Porsche Cayenne and Aston MArtin DBS) would give this car respect.

Named for championship drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr., the car was built by Autosport Dynamics (ASD) in Charlotte, NC. Along with the full carbon body there is also a set of carbon fiber HRE wheels and even some in-car adjustable shocks.

Only a limited number of these cars will be built and at a cost of $135,000, we don’t imagine there’s a waiting list.

GALLERY: Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR-C 2010 Mustang

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03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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The truck isn’t even for sale yet, but Ford shipped one of its new Super Duty pickups to tool maker DeWALT, to build a custom work vehicle for the 2009 SEMA Show.  The simply massive truck gets special items like a winch, special cargo compartments on the outside of the truck’s bed and even a small crane designed to move heavy cargo (like a generator) into and out of the bed.

In looks more like something that might be in a Transformers movie – which makes it a perfect fit for the SEMA Show.

Along with all these custom goodies, the DeWALT concept also gets everything that will make the 2011 Super Duty the leader in the big truck class, including an all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 with a new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission with Ford’s SelectShift function so drivers can choose gears just like on a manual transmission. This new tranny also gets a Tow Haul option with integrated engine exhaust braking.

Another amazing feature is what Ford calls Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off), which allows auxiliary equipment like snowplows or salt spreaders to be powered through the transmission. Ford is the first company to bring this technology over from agricultural machines.

Of course, the Super Duty will also get a long list of Ford’s impressive truck technology, like Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Sway Control, Trailer Brake Control and, of course, Ford’s AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control.

In addition Ford will offer it’s exclusive Ford World Solutions program which now comes with a 4.2-inch LCD screen between the truck’s gauges, which will display relevant information to the driver about things like fuel-economy or the status of the fifth wheel hook-up.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Super Duty DeWALT Contractor Concept

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03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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With some of the wacky Camaros over at GM’s booth, the Yenko Camaro concept at the OER booth looks rather unassuming – but isn’t that what a Yenko is all about after all? With the Yenko name owned by General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI), the company has decided to resurrect the brand and hopes to begin production of Yenko models once again.

The first step in that process is this car, the Yenko/SC concept. Along with a subtle aero kit and graphics package, the 2010 Yenko Camaro gets a new set of 22-inch SYC wheels, StopTech brakes, a MagnaFlow exhaust, a Hurst shifter and (as the name suggests) a supercharger under the hood.

Yenko marketing director Ray Yager told us that while a lot of folks might be looking for an engine swa (in true Yenko style), the idea for Yenko Camaros was to make an affordable performance car. Needless to say, a GM crate engine is far more expensive than the MagnaCharger blower currently under the hood. And the result is still a very impressive 600-hp.

Yenko hasn’t confirmed if it will start building Camaros again but the company is hopeful and is looking for partners. And what better place to do that than at the SEMA Show.

GALLERY: 2010 Yenko Camaro/SC

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