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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.

30/12/2011 | By: Amy Tokic

We’ve seen a lot of cars that were made into toys and scale models, but what about the other way around? Well, Superlift Suspension Systems did just that with its Matchbox F-350 Brush Truck, which made its debut at the 2011 SEMA Show. Not only that, but this full-sized truck drove off with a Ford Product Excellence Award.

Created as a concept by Matchbox, the Superlift’s R&D team turned it into a full-sized, drivable reality using a 2011 Ford F-350. If you were lucky enough to attend the show, you may have even snagged one of the limited-edition Matchbox models of the truck. If not, you can buy this mini truck from your favorite toy store now.

“Receiving this award from Ford is an incredible honor,” said Superlift Marketing Director/project coordinator Joey Arbogast. “It’s a tribute to efforts from Matchbox’s and Superlift’s design and marketing departments as well as Superlift’s engineering and R&D team, who brought the design to life.”

The Ford Product Excellence Award recognizes superior achievement in new product development, vehicle appearance, use of aftermarket parts and overall display.

 

10/11/2011 | By: Derek Kreindler

Yakima debuted their new WHISPBAR roof rack system at the 2011 SEMA Show last week, and AutoGuide got an exclusive look at their new portable wind tunnel, which Yakima brought along to SEMA to showcase the reduction in wind noise that their new WHISPBAR can bring.

AutoGuide got a demo of the wind tunnel itself and we had the chance to take some video as well. Check it out after the jump.

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07/11/2011 | By: Colum Wood

10. Five Axis Project GS


Ever since Lexus first began participating at the SEMA Show the team from Five Axis has been around. Showing just what’s possible when you’re not constrained by styling that must appeal to all types or by volume manufacturing, creative boss Troy Sumitomo has been crafting wild one-offs for years. Initially some rather wild tuner-style cars, more recently the design house seems to have developed its own identity, showcased most recently in the “Project GS” concept based on the all-new 2013 Lexus GS. With an extra wide body, massive 20-inch wheels and a low-low stance, this unique interpretation of the new GS is easily the best reason yet why Toyota should hire Sumitomo.

GALLERY: Five Axis Project GS

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07/11/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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For many show-goers, SEMA isn’t just about cars. If that includes you, then we’re sure you’ll enjoy our gallery of show models. Static shots not your thing? Then we’ve also included a video walk-through of the show.

GALLERY: SEMA Show Models

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Watch the video after the jump:

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06/11/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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It wouldn’t be the SEMA Show without plenty of lifted pickups and this year’s aftermarket expo did not disappoint. In addition, several extra-custom creations were on display from the likes of Ford, Chevy, Ram and Toyota. Of note was Ford’s Matchbox styled F-350 brush truck; Ram’s 392 Quick Silver and a selection of Toyota Tacoma and Tundra pickups.

Check out the gallery of well-over 100 photos below.

GALLERY: Trucks of the 2011 SEMA Show

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Plus, check out AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show coverage here.

05/11/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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Another SEMA Show has come and gone and we’ve got the videos to prove it. From modified Civics, to Ferraris and everything in between. And let’s not forget the models.

Watch all of AutoGuide’s 2011 SEMA Show Videos after the jump and check out the complete coverage here:

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04/11/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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To say that Ford put a focus on the Focus would be an understatement at this year’s SEMA Show. Nine different, fully customized Focuses were shown off in the Ford booth, with several of them part of a spectator voting competition. Projects ranged from mild to wild, with a plethora of colors being splashed on each creation.

Our personal favorite of the bunch was the Focus by the ID Agency, sporting a custom BASF green paint job with a Wraptivo roof wrap. Ford also leant a helping hand with their official Ford Licensed Accessories bike rack by Thule, adding to the versatility of the new Focus SE 5-Door. The Downforce carbon fiber lip kit was a nice and subtle touch, while we just loved the choice of bolting on 19×8.5-inch HRE Performance C90 wheels. Under the hood, the ID Agency outfitted the 2.0L Ti-VCT four-cylinder with an AEM cold air intake and MagnaFlow cat-back exhaust. A Brembo big brake kit was paired with KW Variant 3 coilovers to give this Focus plenty of braking and handling improvements – not to mention how great it looks. On the inside, Recaro Sportster seats can be found along with custom interior by Top Stitch and a Kicker car audio system by BP Auto Sound.

With so many Focuses to focus on, we decided to make a life easier to taking a photo of each of the information plaques by each car. Feast your eyes on the creations from Bojix Design, ID Agency, 3dCarbon, Capaldi Racing, ROUSH Performance, Steeda, Hot Wheels, Metal Mulish/Rockstar, and M&J Enterprises and let Autoguide know which was your favorite.

GALLERY: Bojix Design Ford Focus

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GALLERY: ID Agency Ford Focus

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GALLERY: 3dCarbon Ford Focus

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GALLERY: Capaldi Racing Ford Focus

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GALLERY: ROUSH Performance Ford Focus

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GALLERY: Steeda Ford Focus

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GALLERY: Hot Wheels Ford Focus

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GALLERY: Metal Mulisha/Rockstar Ford Focus

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GALLERY: M&J Enterprises Ford Focus

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03/11/2011 | By: Colum Wood

10. Chrysler 300 Pickup Mess


With the 2011 SEMA Show just about wrapped up we’re sure you’ve already seen plenty of “best of” stories. But the world’s largest aftermarket expo is known as much for its abominations as for its stunning creation and so we’ve assembled a list of the very worst. The selection of eye-searing why-did-they-do-that cars and trucks was picked with the expert help of celebrity judges Barry Meguiar, RJ de Vera and Wally Sema – the man this whole crazy car show is named after (Note: none of the preceding sentence is true).

Placing in 10th spot and somewhat of an honorary member of the Top 10 is the school bus yellow Chrysler 300-grilled pickup truck. It’s got all the requisite terrible attributes from oversized chrome wheels to scissor doors and odd speaker housings. We can’t go too hard on it, however, as the truck looks to be built by a collision repair shop and is obviously meant to represent an accident.

GALLERY: Chrysler 300 Pickup Mess

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03/11/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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Celebrating 110 years of racing history at the SEMA Show, Ford‘s display includes some of the brand’s most iconic race cars. And while the folks at the Blue Oval had plenty of aftermarket tuner cars to announce, fans of motorsports were treated to the debut of two new Ford race cars, the Fiesta B-Spec and Focus ST.R.

Watch the video after the jump to find out more about these two front-drive fasties:

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02/11/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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We’ve seen the Mansory Siracusa before, but this is the first time one of the wildly modified Ferraris has been on display in the U.S., garnering plenty of attention at the Pirelli tires booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Shown in a traditional red, it’s a perfect example of what the German exotic tuning firm is all about, mixing bold styling with some other features that are just excessive. In case you don’t agree from the photo above, take a stroll through our gallery below and pay particular attention to the Lamborghini Aventador-style carbon fiber rear window cover. Reminiscent of the sort of design you might see on an ’80s Camaro or Trans Am, it’s pretty much how you say mullet in Italian.

There’s no word of power-adders, but Mansor does claim its modifications cut the weight of the 458 by a solid 150 lbs.

GALLERY: Mansory Siracusa

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