Home to some of the largest gatherings of sinners, heathens and income tax evaders on the planet, Las Vegas hosts an event each fall that takes the cake for debauchery: SEMA.
Held at the Vegas Convention Center, the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association Show hosts around 2,400 automotive companies over more than a million square feet, with at least 2,500 new vehicles and products for the visiting public to peruse at their leisure. Since you couldn’t be there for this week’s 2017 edition — unless you got your boss to sign off on one of these puppies — we thought we’d bring seven of the top SEMA scene-stealers to you.
After all, not everything that happens in Vegas has to stay there.
1. Hennessy Venom F5 Hypercar
With a top speed of 301 MPH, a 0-186 time of fewer than 10 seconds and a 0-249 time 30 seconds, this 600-HP beast relies on its V8 engine and lightweight carbon fiber body to tear up the road. Hennessy will only be building 24 of ‘em, priced at $1.6 million a pop.
2. Toyota C-HR R-Tuned
Packing plenty of giddy up (read: 0-60 time of just 2.9 seconds), Toyota enlisted the help of tuner to get this build up to speed. Decked out with upgrades like a giant back wing, triple-adjustable and adjustable rear sway bar, this C-HR is made for the track.
3. Ringbrothers “Clem 101” 1954 Ford F100
Lovingly restored by Mike and Jim Ring from a rusted farm truck to the polished beaut you see before you, Clem 101 is the brothers’ “shop truck.” The recipient of body modifications, chrome and hand-formed running boards, Clem runs on a fuel-injected Ford Coyote crate motor.
4. 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Although actually only shown in pictures, the next-gen Jeep will be loaded up with new tech and safety features but still instantly recognizable as a classic Wrangler. Specs weren’t given, but we know the ‘18 Wrangler will have a fold-down windshield and offer many customization options.
5. Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 AEV Concept
WIth a 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine, the ZR2 AEV concept was created for life off the road with help from American Expedition Vehicles. For the build, AEV chose to add goodies like front and rear off-road specially tuned shocks and wheels in 35-inch tires.
6. Hennessey VelociRaptor 6×6
Hennessey wasn’t kidding about building a 6×6 last year as they showed up to SEMA 2017 with this $349,000 six-wheeler. With a twin-turbocharged V6 offering 605 HP and 622 pound-feet of torque, the VelociRaptor 6×6 already has us dreaming about SEMA 2018.
7. Ringbrothers 1972 AMC Javelin AMX
Packing 1,100 horses, this Prestone-commissioned build has a 6.2-liter Hellcat crate engine under the hood that’s been mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Decked out in gold, the customized Javelin body is redone in lightweight carbon fiber.
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