Flared wheel arches, outrageous spoilers, custom paintjobs and oversized wheels take centre stage in Las Vegas at the world’s craziest car show.
The 2015 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show is an annual event in Vegas with mad concepts from big US manufacturers like Dodge, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors to aftermarket tuning products.
It’s everything from garage fans to in-car sound systems and roof carriers to bodykits, all designed to show exactly what is possible with your motor.
Modification isn’t just confined to the USA, either, with the industry worth an estimated $70billion worldwide. And while it’s a whole heap of fun to look at what’s possible, there’s a real reason for it, too.
Custom parts specialist Mopar told Auto Express that if a concept goes well at SEMA it could quite easily find its way onto the regular production line.
Even if gamblers hit the jackpot in the Las Vegas casinos, they won’t be able to buy their way into SEMA as it’s not open to the public - but we're at the show with all the latest news about the new models. Read on for some of the best ones...
Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder
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Mazda has stormed this year's SEMA Las Vegas trade show with two concept versions of the 2015 Mazda MX-5. The bold MX-5 Speedster and MX-5 Spyder models are both designed to hark back to the simple, lightweight sports cars of the 1950s.
Kia Optima convertible concept
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Kia is hoping it can draw in some crowds with this creation. Called the A1A Optima, it takes the standard saloon and chops it into a four-door convertible. A four-door convertible with suicide doors!
The A1A Optima is named after a famous coastal highway in Florida, and pays tribute to the sunshine state with its roofless bodystyle, backwards-hinged doors and bright teal paintwork.
Ram DiveMaster City
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Could this be the ultimate vehicle for a coastal white van man? This Ram DiveMaster City – based on the ProMaster – has been kitted out for a scuba diving business. There’s space for flippers, wet suit, oxygen tanks and even a TV screen strapped to the back doors. And the oceanic livery is a custom paintjob rather than a wrap. It proves vans don’t have to be white.
Fiat 500X Mobe
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The humble Fiat 500X isn’t safe from modification. Mopar has taken this AWD Trekking model to convert it into the ideal companion for a trip to the beach. A roof carrier has been added along with a bronze bonnet. More graphics adorn the side plus there’s the addition of 18-inch two-tone wheels. And the name? Easy, Mobe is a kite-surfing trick.
Dodge Challenger GT AWD
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Ever thought you needed a Challenger fit for all conditions? If the answer is yes then the GT AWD is the car for you. The year-round muscle car has been widened for the AWD system and comes with 20-inch wheels. Parts are taken from the Dodge police car and the uprated 5.7-litre HEMI engine will produce 440hp.
It’s painted in destroyer grey with orange trim and is completed by a unique spoiler and chin splitter. It’s mean, fast and, for now at least, just a concept.
Chrysler 300 Super S
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The regulation 300C is hardly a shrinking violet but add a matte blue finish and a grille made of miniature Mopar logos and you get quite the machine. The Super S has been lowered with 22-inch concept wheels. Its 5.7-litre HEMI gets a boost of 75hp, too, while inside there’s a new flat-bottomed steering wheel and blue trimmed grey leather seats.
Two new Chevrolet Camaro concepts
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Two new Chevy Camaro special editions, Red Accent and Black Accent, will preview some new alloy wheel options, styling kits, exterior graphics, interior trim options and performance enhancing tech. This includes exhausts upgrades, lowered suspension and performance air intakes. Chevy says its new Ford Mustang rival will have the widest ever range of customisations available.
Eight Ford Mustangs
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You read that right. Among a number of racier versions of the Blue Oval's existing range, there are eight customised versions of the 2015 Ford Mustang muscle car at the show - read our full article to find out more.
Now read more about the most recent global motor show with our full Tokyo 2015 round-up.