2006 SEMA Auto Show

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To be a bona fide car person, you must know about SEMA — the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show that happens every fall in Las Vegas. This isn't just another car show. It's the supercharged, tricked-out, souped-up, slammed, chopped, and channeled mother of all automotive shows. SEMA is "Automotive Accessories R Us." In more modern parlance, it's where the folks at Pimp My Ride go shopping.

The world's love affair with automotive customizing makes SEMA a perennial must-attend. But you can't go. Only industry folk — vehicle and/or parts producers, distributors, and retailers — can buy tickets. Good thing you know us, because those in charge at SEMA 2006 let in the automotive press, and you'll be there with us beginning Tuesday, October 31. Inside Line articles and blogs will get you the scoop on all that's new, cool and crazy.

SEMA Overview

SEMA began back in 1967 as a show for manufacturers of high-performance parts such as camshafts, headers, pistons and the like. It's grown dramatically from humble beginnings when there were just 98 booths and 3,000 attendees.

Today, SEMA takes over 1 million square feet of exhibition space at the enormous Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 2,000 customized vehicles will be on display, plus tens of thousands of products presented by more than 2,000 exhibitors from across the globe. Some 50,000 buyers show up to walk the miles of aisles so they can stock their stores with the latest and greatest automotive accessories.

Auto manufacturers use SEMA to pump up interest in their newest or soon-to-be-introduced products and vehicles. The theme for 2006 is "American Muscle," a move that lets DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors share the show's spotlight. How opportune, you think, with the production debut of the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger on the horizon.

As GM has already revealed, its new pickups figure prominently into the SEMA plans. The General's new pickup will receive a great deal of the corporation's attention, but GM will either produce (on its own) or support (through a well-developed partnership program) hundreds of custom creations.

Other manufacturers have tipped their hand as well. Here's what we can tell you:

DaimlerChrysler
Chrysler always creates an environment at its SEMA display area. In years past, it actually set up a working machine shop on the show floor, and had experienced techs grinding valves, balancing rotating assemblies and assembling engines. Each year things change, and this year should be especially interesting.

From the looks of the Chrysler 300 Pullman offering, the company's German and American cultures are coming together in a way that bends all previous convention. Inspired by the iconic Mercedes Pullman limousine first introduced in the 1960s, this 300 gets a 6-inch stretch, fashionably suicide-hinged rear doors, and a custom clearcoat paint scheme to set it apart from anything else that might deposit passengers at the end of a red carpet.

SEMA often features vehicles with the "something old, something new" theme. This 1971 'Cuda Convertible fits the descriptor with a 850-horsepower fuel-injected 528-cubic-inch Hemi featuring a Keith Black aluminum block, six-speed manual transmission from a Viper, fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. Literally hundreds of modifications are for the finding as the builders have thoroughly modernized this legendary Mopar.

The Sebring Tuner showcases the fantastic range of vehicles that typifies what a manufacturer such as DCX brings to SEMA. This creation based on the just-introduced Sebring shows the new car's potential. Chrysler built it with a 285-horsepower 4.0-liter engine and a six-speed automatic gearbox, a dropped suspension, a killer entertainment system and massive 20-inch aluminum rims provided by Alcoa (who knows more about aluminum than Alcoa, eh?).

Ford

In addition to supercharged F-150s and Mustangs, Ford is showing tricked-out versions of its Fusion, the new Edge and the Expedition, and Lincoln's MKZ, MKX and Navigator.

When you look at enough made-for-SEMA vehicles, you begin to see a pattern. Expect body kits, big wheels, cat-back exhausts and upgraded infotainment systems as a basic starting point. Then, the sky is the limit. Take the Galpin Auto Sports F-Series TikiTruck, complete with a hot tub and tiki torches. Funkmaster Flex consults with Ford on project vehicles, and his Expedition will be on display.

Of all the vehicles wearing a blue oval, pay close attention to the Fusion T5 that is modified by MRT. Its 3.0-liter Duratec breathes with the aid of a Garrett turbocharger that delivers power through Ford's newly available all-wheel-drive system. The lowered suspension is from the experts at H&R.

Hyundai

SEMA is a big sandbox with room enough for everybody. Hyundai is a relative newcomer to the United States and the world of customization. But along with displaying otherwise stock vehicles that are dressed up with Hyundai-branded accessories, the Korean manufacturer commissioned two concepts for the show.

With retina-burning paint, Hyundai's show Accent is slammed over huge wheels and rubber-band-thin tires using an air suspension. Rear-opening doors provide access to the coupe's modified interior.

In sharp contrast to the bright Accent, the Azera looks simply sinister. The suspension is lowered, custom rims are fitted, and a host of detail changes take this sedan far from its mainstream origins.

Nissan

Like most major manufacturers, Nissan fields a major presence at SEMA. Great emphasis will be on the Versa (there will be seven of them), but the company also has a full-race Titan modified by Nissan Motor Sports. Additional big news surrounds Nissan's collaboration with fashion designer Marc Ecko. At least two Ecko-modified Nissans will be on display, including an Armada and Pathfinder.

Like Ecko's clothing, the look is urban with an appropriate mix of old-school style. On the Pathfinder, smoothed wheelwells house trick rims. Custom paint enhances the look, as does the safety orange center console and custom seamless leather seats.

Nissan says the Ecko-modified Armada is more sophisticated. Its offered proof is a padded landau roof (can you say "Cordoba"?), chromed disc wheels and orange fenders. Another truth of SEMA is that you may not like (or even begin to comprehend) everything you see.

Scion

While parent company Toyota celebrates 50 years of selling cars in the USA, its Scion division continues on a path to capture the hearts and carport spaces of young drivers everywhere. At current count, nine Scion models will be on the show floor. The modified vehicles bracket the SEMA continuum that runs from "cars as art" to function-focused racecars.

Volkswagen

When the New Beetle debuted, it seemed that every other car at SEMA was a Bug. Once Beetle Fever faded, it was hard to find a VW in all of Las Vegas. Last year, Volkswagen showed up with a Jetta and Passat that were modified in-house. The powertrain technology was staggering, but truly unobtainable for consumers. Body kits from these concepts did make it to dealers, however, and that greased the gears at VW for another round of SEMA concept vehicles.

VW embargoed all information on its vehicles, but expect something that is truly accessible. The concepts should be something an average Joe or Jane could actually drive without winning the lottery. With the Rabbit just being reintroduced, perhaps we'll see some focus on that vehicle.

Volvo

While it may not be what the company is known for, Volvo has a long history of racing and fielding high-performance cars that fly under the radar. As the Swedes work to generate interest in their 2008 C30 Coupe, they've put some Gustavian design into three custom cars they'll have on display. Each sports eye-popping paint, big rims and modified suspensions. The cars will certainly boast additional modifications, but Volvo is keeping details to itself until the SEMA press conference.

More, more, more
Las Vegas is a town of excess. SEMA fits perfectly. Stay tuned for more coverage on cars, trucks and the best of the new technologies and accessories when Inside Line's coverage starts next Tuesday.