How would you like to help design Nissan‘s next Z car? You can do just that – using Facebook – as Nissan announces Project 370Z.

Putting Z enthusiasts in the driver’s seat of design, Nissan launched this initiative as a chance to showcase how many options are available in this car. Using a 2013 370Z as a base, this car will be built in several different stages – power, handling/brakes and interior and exterior. To put in your two cents about each section, post your thoughts on Nissan’s Performance Facebook fan page with wall posts, likes and comments. These responses will be reviewed each voting session, and the upgrades and accessories with the most fan support will be picked for that particular phase.

“Car companies build project vehicles all the time, but we thought it’d be interesting to harness the power of social media to reach out to Z enthusiasts – the people who are doing this to their own cars everyday,” said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Nissan Marketing, NNA. “Together we’ll create a vehicle that expands on the already outstanding performance and style of the Nissan 370Z with a balance of street and track ready modifications.”

The final result will be making its grand debut in a grand setting this May during ZDayZ – in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. If you can’t make it to that momentous day, not to worry – the Project 370Z will be making an appearance at other Nissan events, such as ZCON 2012 and SEMA.

Check out a short video about Project 370Z after the jump.

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Honda is moving ahead with plans to deliver a higher performance version of the CR-Z. In fact, according to a report by Temple of Vtec, CR-Z project leader Norio Tomobe-san has confirmed the car is already in development.

The first rumors of a CR-Z “Type R” came from Honda itself, with the release of the CR-Z Hybrid R concept at least year’s SEMA Show, delivering 200-hp thanks to a turbocharged version of the standard engine. Fast forward 12 months and Honda once again had something to show at SEMA, this time a supercharged version of the factory 1.5-liter 4-cylinder Integrated Motor Assist hybrid engine. Honda PR reps have also hinted to AutoGuide that this supercharged version is the more likely path.

GALLERY: Honda CR-Z Hybrid R Concept

[Source: vtec.net]

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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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

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

Watch the video after the jump:

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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

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

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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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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

GALLERY: ID Agency Ford Focus

GALLERY: 3dCarbon Ford Focus

GALLERY: Capaldi Racing Ford Focus

GALLERY: ROUSH Performance Ford Focus

GALLERY: Steeda Ford Focus

GALLERY: Hot Wheels Ford Focus

GALLERY: Metal Mulisha/Rockstar Ford Focus

GALLERY: M&J Enterprises Ford Focus

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

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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