A lot can be seen at SEMA, some good and some bad. But there are always a few vehicles that stand out the most on the miles of red carpet vendor rows that leave a refreshing and vivid impression even weeks after the show ends. Here’s a look at the top five rigs I think stood out most.
Built on a Tundra CrewMax modified to accept a 6.5-ft bed, the truck has a motorized loading ramp that makes way for the only street-legal MotoGP bike produced: the 2008 Ducati Desmosedici RR. Other modifications include flip-up bedsides, integrated tool storage, pop-up solar panels for accessory power, and a host of TRD Performance parts to help the truck handle all the extra equipment.
2: 2009 Ford F-150 Heavy Duty DeWalt Contractor Concept
Designed to be the ultimate tool for contractors, DeWalt director of business development Jennifer Ervin says for its concept F-150 the company "thought how a contractor uses his truck on the job," and worked to add every conceivable application to turn it into a rolling workshop. These include Ford's new Work Solutions software with DeWalt's Tool Link, which helps ensure all necessary tools for a job are loaded before departure, a built-in charger for battery-powered equipment, and special storage compartments, among others. To carry around all that extra weight, the powertrain has also been modified for improved performance and efficiency.
3: 2008 Saturn VUE Greenline HYLINE by Sound Choice designer
This 2008 Saturn VUE Greenline HYLINE was built by Sound Choice and Performance. Bottom used a base Greenline creating a futuristic business class SUV that offers a long list of new toys in the interior to entertain and to help you conduct your affairs.
4: 2009 Scion xB by MV Designz
It wasn't so long ago that Truck Trend art director Thomas Voehringer flipped the Scion Hako concept around to create his version of a compact truck called the "Okah Truck." The masterminds of MV Designz took this xB to that “what-if” next level, creating what could and possibly should be the next generation of compact pickups. The truck bed convertion is accompanied by MV Designz’s custom wide-body kit, front and rear fascia, motorized tailgate, Mat Hatch pop-up gas door, TRD lowering springs, TRD big brake kit, and USW forged 22-in. wheels wrapped in Nitto Tires.
5: 2009 Dodge Ram R/T
Mopar Underground's Dodge Ram R/T is built on a 2009 Ram Sport, but adds a Dodge Challenger vibe to it. Already sporting the 380-hp 5.7L HEMI V-8 engine with a 4.10 gear and a high stall converter, Mopar Underground adds a Mopar cold-air intake kit and Mopar dual exhaust for even more power. The exterior is painted a classic B5 blue, with exterior styling rounded out with a Mopar dual-snorkel aluminum hood, carbon-fiber accent stripes, and a Mopar body kit. The chassis rides on a concept Mopar air-suspension kit and concept Mopar 22-in. Alcoa wheels. A Mopar hard tonneau cover and unique integrated spoiler are combined with the Mopar bed mat to show an ambient underrail LED lighting system. The interior gets Katzkin leather seats with body-color stitching to match the instrument panel and steering wheel, and a set of Mopar pedals.
One more for a bonus:
AC Schnitzer's 2009 BMW X6 Falcon
BMW's newest crossover gets a makeover from tuning firm AC Schnitzer, and it will be presenting its BMW X6 Falcon at the SEMA show. The X6 gets more aggressive styling and more power for the road.
Exterior enhancements give the X6 a more aggressive and muscular look. Changes include striking wing extensions. The X6 Falcon is 70 mm wider at the front axle and 80 mm wider at the rear. Other body pieces include a new front spoiler, rear skirt, rear spoiler, edge frame, hood vents, and 22-in. racing wheels Type VII, which come in either silver or black. For the interior, an EVO three-spoke sport steering wheel, carbon-fiber trims, aluminum pedals and footrest, velour floormats, and an aluminum cover for the iDrive system gives the X6 Falcon a sportier ambiance while driving.
Power upgrades were made to the diesel models of the X6. The BMW X6 3.0dX gets an extra 38 hp to bump it to 272 hp, while the X6 3.5dX makes an extra 24 hp to give it a grand total of 310 hp.
Click here to see out full 2008 SEMA show coverage: Part1, Part 2.