This year’s SEMA awards were announced Wednesday morning, with the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford F-Series and Jeep Wrangler taking home the awards for Hottest Car, Truck and 4×4 SUV respectively.

The big surprise here was the announcement of the Fiat 500 as the Hottest Sport Compact, despite a relatively small presence at the SEMA show. The Hyundai Veloster seemed like a far more likely candidate for the award, given the ubiquity of the new Hyundai hatchback.

Check out AutoGuide’s SEMA coverage here

Honda CR-Z

It’s safe to say that the Honda CR-Z has been given a solid reception by everyone outside the “enthusiast” community. Sales have been brisk and reviews are generally positive, but car lovers seem unable to accept the “hybrid” part of the equation.

Honda gave a few tuners the chance to trick out a CR-Z, and some came back with turbocharged monsters, while others returned with vinyl wraps and big wheels. We think the six cars cover the spread pretty well, but we’ll let you decide. You can check out the pictures below, and hit the jump for the official specs.

Gallery: Bismoto Honda CR-Z

Gallery: Fortune Honda CR-Z

Gallery: Eibach Honda CR-Z

Gallery: Honda Tuning Honda CR-Z

Gallery: Wraptivo Honda CR-Z

11/02/2010 – LAS VEGAS
Reaching out to the import community, Honda invited six independent vehicle tuners to build and display their CR-Z hybrid concepts at the 2010 SEMA Show. Tuners were asked to push the limits to improve fuel economy and performance with their builds, and the vehicles on display show the variety of directions in which a personalized sport hybrid can go.

Honda invited the tuners to tell the stories of their cars, and those details are provided below.

All modification information listed was provided by the vehicle builders and has not been confirmed by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. The modifications to these vehicles may void the manufacturers warranty, may not be legal for street driving in all 50 states and have not been specifically suggested, recommended or approved by American Honda Motor, Inc.

Company Name: Bisimoto Engineering
Name of Vehicle: Bisimoto 2011 CR-Z

Bisimoto Engineering is known worldwide for awe-inspiring street, show and race vehicles. With no fear of the unknown, Bisimoto is always on the cutting edge of automotive technology. The Bisimoto 2011 CR-Z was no exception with a 533+ hp turbocharged hybrid powerplant, which retains the drivability, reliability and eco-friendly nature of the original engine.

Powertrain Modifications:
Bisimoto built 1.5L LEA1 engine
Bisimoto valvetrain, rods, turbo kit, intake gasket, and level 2.4 camshaft
Arias Pistons
AEM EMS
Torco Oils
Turbonetics Billet turbocharger, blow-off and intercooler
Golden Eagle sleeved block
Griffin Radiator
Supertech valves
Kinsler fuel rail, filter and injectors
ARP head studs
K&N Oil filter
Portflow custom head
Custom Bisimoto 70mm throttle body

Chassis/Suspension Modifications:
Steen 6-point roll cage
Progress coil-over suspension and sway bar
Bisimoto-Savini 18×9 wheels
Falken 225/40-18 tyres
Bisimoto-spec Action 2MS Clutch
Buddy club racing steel lug nuts
Stoptech brakes

Exterior Modifications:
Gatorwrap custom laminated body wrap
Type 2 graphics
Bisimoto-VIS carbon fibre hatch and wing
Burns Stainless muffler

Interior Modifications:
Buddy Club P1 racing seats and harness
L&T interior paint
Bisimoto reservoir socks
Rywire harness

Company Name: DSO Eyewear
Name of Vehicle: The DSO 2011 CR-Z Sport Hybrid Tuner

DSO Eyewear’s Chris Mangum Created a Unique CR-Z with Aggressive lines enhanced with striking custom two tone paint with Carbon fiber and black accents. The CR-Z is influenced by West Coast automotive culture with large 19” wheels, Low stance Leather and Suede appointed interior with painted matching accents. The CR-Z features an All-Star line up of accessories from the highest caliber aftermarket companies in the world.

Power Train Modifications:
HKS: Silent Hi-Power fully polished stainless steel exhaust system
HKS: Racing Suction Reloaded Intake system
Odyssey: “The Extreme Battery”
Amsoil: 0–30 Oil Dominator motor oil

Chassis/Suspension Modifications:
Brembo: Gran Turisomo brake system
HKS: Hipermax III adjustable suspension series
Eibach: Performance Tuned Sway Bars

Exterior Modifications:
BASF: Supplied Onyx HD paint in custom Pearl White and matched Storm Silver with Deep Black accent color. Finished with three wet coats of R-Ms DC5800 urethane clear coat.
L & G Enterprises: Applied and finished paint.
Continental Tire: Extreme Contact DWS tires. 225/35ZR19s Front 235/19ZR19 Rear
Axis Wheels: Evolve wheel from the EXE wheel line fitted 19″x8.5″
T-REX Grills: Custom-made Upper Class Mesh Grill constructed from 0.105” fine wire, Powder coated sinister satin matt black. Upper class mesh was also used in the Hood, front air dam and rear diffuser.
PIAA: D2S 6600K HID Bulbs (low beam), 9005 Extreme White Bulbs (high beam),
Plasma Ion H11 bulbs fog lamp bulbs PForza Hybrid Wiper Blades (26” & 20”) Hyper Tera LED Dome Light Bulbs.
Seibon: Carbon Fiber dual vented hood with fiberglass liner and Rear diffuser.

Interior Modifications:
Katzkin Leather Interiors: Midnight Tuscany Leather with silver suedzkin inserts appointed with white contrast stitching fitted over front seats. Interior appointed items were covered in Silver Suedezkin with Tuscany accents. The complete Headliner, pillars, door panel inserts were covered in Suedezkin.
Painted Interior Parts: L&G /BASF painted selected interior parts in matching black contrast to tie in the exterior theme.
Rockford Fosgate: Rockford 3Sixty.2 digital signal processor was chosen for factory navigation head unit integration. The 3Sixty.2 transfers 153 bands of adjustable signal to two Power series amps. The T400-4 amplifier provides 400 watts of RMS power to the NEW Rockford Fosgate Power series full-range separates, T1652-S. The bottom end in this system is provide by the T1000-1bd amplifier paired with two P2 Punch 10” subwoofers, delivering a 1000 watt bass.

Misc:
Escort Inside: PASSPORT 9500ci Custom Installed Radar and Laser Defense System
Star Shield Armor: Invisible bra
Coverking: Stain Stretch custom interior car cover and floor mats
Enfotrace: GPS Tracking System keeps tabs of the location in real-time online via Enfortrace website interactive tracking program.
Mothers: Polishes – Waxes – Cleaners
Honda Genuine Accessories: LED-Illuminated Doorsill Trim, Front lip Spoiler, Tailgate Spoiler painted in black bodyline accent color. To set the rear of the CR-Z the Rear Diffuser design was re-worked in carbon fiber.

Company Name: Eibach Springs, Inc.
Name of Vehicle: Eibach Springs 2011 CR-Z

“Green Meets Go. Who knew saving our planet could be so fun?” The basic concept of Eibach’s build was a vehicle that could be driven 100+ miles a day, get incredible mileage and still be a lot of fun and look good. This CR-Z will be a daily driver for an Eibach employee but also has the performance and tuning to be used for weekend track events 2-3 times a month.

Powertrain Modifications:
Custom K&N intake
Custom Magnaflow exhaust

Chassis/Suspension Modifications:
Eibach Pro Street-S coilovers
Custom roll bar by Rally Innovations

Exterior Modifications:
C-West front spoiler
C-West rear diffuser
C-West side skirts
MUGEN rear spoiler
Work Emotion 11R 17×8 Wheels
Work Lugnuts
Toyo R888 Tires
Vinyl wrap by Rally Innovations

Interior Modifications:
Sparco Fighter bucket seats
Sparco steering wheel
Sparco harnesses

Company Name: Fortune Motorsports / Tjin Edition
Name of Vehicle: Fortune Samurai Gold 2011 Honda CR-Z

Warren Shim-Quee of Fortune Motorsports has teamed up with Tjin Edition to build the ultimate Honda CR-Z. The company’s goals were to build an eco-friendly, fun daily driven Honda CR-Z. The Fortune Motorsports Honda CR-Z was built in conjunction with American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and some of the best manufactures in the industry. The Fortune Motorsports Honda CR-Z has been completely transformed by JD Motorsports into the ultimate daily driver, which will not only turn heads on the road, but also at shows across the Country.

Powertrain Modifications
MagnaFlow Performance exhaust system
Toucan air filter

Chassis/Suspension Modifications
Air Lift fully digital air suspension
ADV.1 ADV10 Track Spec Wheels
225/35/18 235/35/18 Falken Ziex Tires
Custom Baer T4 big brake calipers and rotors

Exterior Modifications
HKS Kansai front short lips
DuPont Samurai Gold Paint
Wraptivo Vinyl Wrap (hood and roof)
Webasto sunroof
Light WurkZ LED headlights
Honda Access window visors
Trent Trick Upholstery billet bolts
Custom Tjin Edition emblems
Ignited Performance HID’s

Interior Modifications
Zeal Function Bucket seats
Gene Tjin diamond stitched interior
Status Racing harnesses
Ractive shifter and pedals
Duerstock Harness Bar
Image Dynamics 6” mid range speakers
Image Dynamics Subwoofer
Auto Meter / STACK Gauges

Company Name: Konig Wheels
Name of Vehicle: Konig Wheels 2011 CR-Z

The “Green” essence is being interwoven into mainstream living. Younger generations are embracing a cleaner lifestyle. This change doesn’t mean that they’ll give up cars. They’ll just make cleaner choices. The Konig CR-Z is an illustration of embracing an active lifestyle while living cleaner! Rolling around the streets in a slightly lighter, much cleaner, more powerful, precisely handling car that can stop on a dime is nice, but being able to jump out of that car and right onto your bmx bike or skateboard is what it’s all about. Turn the music up, plug in your external speaker and enjoy your tunes while doing what you love!

Powertrain Modifications:
Weapon-R Cold Air Intake
Weapon-R Performance Exhaust
Weapon-R Race Header

Chassis/Suspension Modifications:
Konig – Milligram 18×8.5 Lightweight FRT Technology Wheels
Neuton 225/40R18 UHP Tires
Eibach Lowering Springs
Wilwood 4 Piston Front & 2 Piston Rear Brakes
Weapon-R Lower chassis brace

Exterior Modifications:
Vision Auto Dynamics Aero Lip Kit
BASF – Paint and Materials
Santini Paint & Body – Paint Work
Thule – Bike Rack
DK Bikes – BMX Bike
Seibon Carbon Fiber Hood

Interior Modifications:
Sparco Chrono Road Seats
Alpine Head Unit
Kicker Audio – Speakers- (4) 6.5” RS65.2 Components,
Kicker Audio – Subwoofers: (2) 8” Solo Baric S8L5, (1) 8” CVT Shallow Mount
Kicker Audio – Amplifiers: (1) ZX700.5 4 Channel, (1) IX1000.1 1000 watt Mono, (1) IX500.4 4 Channel amp
Kicker Audio – All Wiring, Terminals, Connectors
Custom Skateboard Rack / Cooler / Trunk Design by Tim Willis & Whitfield Racing

Company Name: Wraptivo – Designer Car Wraps by Meguiar’s
Name of Vehicle: Wraptivo 2011 CR-Z Type-F Concept
Project Builders: Street Concepts, HKS, SPD MetalWorks, Evasive Motorsport
Project Director: RJ de Vera

The goal for the Wraptivo™ Honda CR-Z Type-F Concept is to evoke the notion of fun, which lies at the core of the CR-Z DNA while also giving a nod to the spirit and Honda heritage of the CR-Z. The vehicle is wrapped with Wraptivo™ Matte Black and Carbon Black Film while small accents are left in gloss black. The CR-Z acts as a canvas for Wraptivo -designer car wraps by Meguiar’s to showcase its vehicle wrap options and give customizers a preview of how they can take advantage of this technology as a new way to protect their factory paint while also having the ability to easily change the look of their vehicle.

Exterior Aesthetics
Wheels: Volk Racing G2 Wheels – 18×8.5 (+44)
Tires: BF Goodrich g-force Super Sport AS – 215/35 18
Exterior: Honda Genuine Accessories Front Chin
Honda Genuine Accessories Side Skirts
Honda Genuine Accessories Rear Diffuser
Rando/Tracy Sports Front Lip
Rando/Tracy Sports Side Sills
Rando/Tracy Sports GT Wing
Color: Wraptivo Matte Black Designer Car Wrap (body)
Wraptivo Carbon Black Designer Car Wrap (roof and partial hood)
Gloss Black Side Mirrors and Roof Trim

Interior Aesthetics
Seat: Recaro Sport Bucket Seats (Red)
Accessories: HKS Limited Edition Shift Knob
Misc: Honda Genuine Accessories Center Arm Rest
Honda Genuine Accessories Compass Rearview Mirror
Honda Genuine Accessories CR-Z illuminated Door Sills
Alcantara Covered Panels

Performance
Exhaust: HKS Silent Hi-Power Exhaust System
Supercharger: HKS GTS4015 Prototype Supercharger Kit
HKS GTS 4015 Supercharger
HKS F-Con IS with OS-C Fuel Management System
HKS Super Megaflow Reloaded Intake
Upgraded Injectors
Brakes: Lightweight Performance Brakes by Brembo
Suspension: Full Coilover Suspension by Tein
MISC: HKS Super Fire Racing Spark Plugs
HKS Radiator Cap
HKS Oil Filler Cap

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS

Media Partners
Print: Import Tuner Magazine
Web: www.MotorworldHype.com

Technology Partners:
Honda Genuine Accessories, Wraptivo/Meguiar’s, HKS, Volk Racing, BF Goodrich, Tein, Brembo, Recaro, Rando/Tracy Sports Japan, Street Concepts, Evasive Motorsport

Officially unveiled as the Mazda MPS at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this month, the U.S.-spec MazdaSpeed3 will make it’s North American debut at the New York Auto Show on April 9th.

We don’t expect much to change from the Euro version, so don’t plan on any more power from the direct-injection 2.3-liter turbo-four. Power is rated at 260ps (256hp) and 280 ft-lbs of torque. Thankfully, the MazdaSpeed3 doesn’t need more power.

This is enough for a 0-62 mph run of 6.1 seconds, so the run to 60 might be able to get under the 6.0-second mark.

The engine does get some advancements though. For starters, emissions are reduced thanks to a new single-nanotechnology catalytic converter. As well, the 2.3-liter engine gets 0.5 liters/100km (0.1 mpg) better fuel economy.

In terms of technological advancements, the MAzdaSpeed3 has plenty of them. For starters the new engine features an advanced boost controller that reduces peaks for a more linear power delivery. The left and right drive shafts have been modified to reduce torque steer. The six-speed manual transmission now has wider ratios than before and the tranny uses a low-viscosity fluid to reduce shift effort.

With the new body and chassis, the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 is naturally better, however, it also gets large stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and shocks. As well, it now features 18-inch wheels with big brakes – 12.6-inches up front and 11-inches in the rear.

We’ll bring you full details in our New york Auto Show coverage starting April 8th.

Full Euro-spec details after the jump:

We are proud to introduce this new line-up of finely crafted cars that offer the exhilaration of driving pleasure and tangible attributes to excite drivers and once again exceed customer expectations. This is an exciting sports compact car that represents the Mazda brand – the all-new Mazda3.

Within the new line-up, we developed the Mazda3 MPS as the flagship model that pushes design and driving performance to the limit. And the Mazda3 with i-stop assumes its role as the environmental strategy car that embodies “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom”.

The new Mazda3 MPS builds on the popularity and recognition of the model it replaces, evolving the experience to an entirely new level of quality and pleasure with its emotional design and exhilarating performance. The “i-stop” differentiates itself from other recent efforts to deliver an environmental strategy car by implementing Mazda’s own environmental technology to achieve best-in-class fuel economy as it aims to greatly exceed the expectations of our customers.

These two models add extra value to the already strong appeal of the new Mazda3 series line-up. The new Mazda3 series takes a significant step ahead in both the realms of driving performance and environmental technology to lead the way toward a new generation of motoring.

New Mazda3 Program Manager

Yoshiyuki Maeda

At a Glance

Exterior

· Design based on the all-new Mazda3 hatchback, evolved for a sportier, more aggressive appearance

· New bonnet air intake to optimise intercooler efficiency

· Front fender and front bumper designs exclusive to the MPS

· The front grille and lower bumper sections share the same black metallic paint finish

· Cylindrical bi-xenon headlamps with boomerang shaped position lamps and round fog lamps (standard or option depending on market)

· Wedge-shaped, curving character lines on the side panels and side under spoiler for a lower-looking centre of gravity

· New, large floating rear spoiler

· LED tail lamps

· New 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels with the same three-dimensional design theme as the Mazda RX-8 wheels

Interior

· Driver-oriented dashboard design gives a roomy, wrap-around, sporty feel

· New tachometer with red MPS logo

· New LED turbo boost gauge between the driver meters

· Semi-bucket front seats with superior fit

· Seat upholstery in black base colour with a red graphic design and red stitching

· Black interior colour with an organic red graphic design throughout the cabin and red stitching for the steering wheel

Powertrain

· Acclaimed MZR 2.3L DISI Turbo petrol producing high power of 191 kW/260 PS at 5,500 rpm, and high torque of 380 Nm at 3,000 rpm

· In-cylinder cooling effect from direct injection realizes ca. 10 percent more torque compared to conventional-intake turbo engines

· Top speed of 250 km/h and acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds

· Reduced fuel consumption of 0.5 litres per 100 km versus outgoing model

· The world’s first single-nanotechnology catalytic converter helps to reduce the amount of precious metals needed

· Advanced boost pressure control suppresses sudden torque peaks for linear torque development

· Left and right drive shafts optimized to minimize torque steer

· Torque-sensing super limited-slip differential (LSD) standard

· Specially-designed, 6-speed manual transmission with wider gear ratio than before

· Triple-cone synchronizers for first, second and third gears and a double-cone synchronizer for fourth gear for optimised gearshift operation

· Low-viscosity transmission fluid reduces shift effort when the engine is cold

Chassis & Safety

· Special reinforcements inside the front cowl member gussets and a large tunnel member for increased body stiffness

· Modified coil spring rates for MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension

· Larger diameter stabilizers with longer mount spans achieve greater roll linearity

· Special dampers with increased damping strength contribute to higher roll stiffness

· Now three highly rigid steering gear mount bushings instead of two used on the previous model for improved response to steering wheel action

· New wider Dunlop 18-inch tyres with improved grip, more rigid sidewalls and damping strength for more direct steering feel and a stronger one-with-the-car feel

· Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering (EHPAS)

· Large diameter 320 mm ventilated front disc brakes and 280 mm rear solid discs, 8+9 inch tandem brake booster and 1-inch large diameter master cylinder for powerful and stable braking

· Newly-introduced electronic brake assist added to four-wheel ABS and DSC as standard equipment