2009 Toyota Tundra TR Concept at SEMA

At this year's SEMA show, it seems like there's a Toyota Tundra concept truck to answer every trucking question that Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge have ever posed. The TR Concept addresses the issue raised by trucks like the Ford Lightning, Dodge Ram SRT-10 and Chevrolet SS454: what is the best way to get a pickup truck down the quarter-mile as quickly as possible?
The Tundra TR is outfitted to be a drag-racing "sleeper," thanks to an exterior that's notable for its almost complete lack of adornment. 18-inch steel wheels and blacked-out trim front and rear give it a menacing, purposeful look.
Starting with the lightest Tundra in the lineup, the regular cab, short-bed model, this 4x2, 5.7 liter V8-equipped show truck has been outfitted with a "Thunder Pak," which consists of a TRD lowered suspension and ceramic-coated black exhaust, as well as a supercharger. Just in case that's not enough to squirt it past the other drag trucks, the Tundra TR can also bring 150-horsepower shots of nitrous to the table.

Project GL MAMMUT by A.R.T.

German tuner A.R.T. has named its latest idea the MAMMUT, which is translated as MAMMOTH and you can see why. Appropriate because of size association but also because of current attitudes toward SUVs of this size, the GL could very well go the mammoth way. Before that though, treatment from A.R.T. is fitted to Mercedes-Benz's GL-Class to the max; only the engine has received minimal work. The A.R.T. MAMMUT differs from standard dealer cars in a number of areas, so we'll start from the exterior.

The MAMMUT holds its own looks-wise by going very aggressive, incorporating broadened front fenders, LED headlights, large nostriled air inlets, cornering lights and fog lights. As a consequence, MAMMUT by A.R.T. looks very purposeful upfront.

Rear lights are also LED and feature a function that illuminates them when any of the doors are open, which is a good safety precaution. Enhancing the look backside is an integrated rear diffuser, four-pipe hard-chrome tail pipes with A.R.T. logos and an integrated roof spoiler. Illuminating for passengers too, are the STEPLIGHTS which light up the running boards for easy access into the cabin area.

A sports steering wheel makes for quite an attentive driving experience and interior appointments are sharpened by a choice of the following combinations: leather/fine wood, leather/leather, leather/alcantara, or leather/carbon fiber.

So far only cars marked "CDI" have been completed, with V6 and V8 models lined up for treatment later. A.R.T. promises a 20% increase in speeds for the MAMMUT over the standard vehicle, yet fuel consumption is kept in check.

Ventross IS-F Sedan by Vorsteiner

California based tuner, Vorsteiner, is broadening its' horizons with a new venture into Japanese brands. Not to alienate its current German car clientele which focuses on Porsche, Mercedes and BMW, Vorsteiner has created a new brand named Ventross to house all of its future endeavors in high performance vehicles from Japanese brands. And already, the Ventross name takes on the Lexus IS-F.

The offerings are lean but it's a good start by offering in dry carbon fiber a front lower bumper spoiler and luggage lid with integrated spoiler which is 50% lighter than the standard lid assembly. An add-on carbon fiber rear diffuser complements the luggage lid while cleanly accommodating the stacked quad exhaust tips. Lastly, a 3-Piece forged aluminum wheel set will also be available in 19 & 20 inch sizes (not shown).

In 2009 Ventross plans to build a full carbon fiber aerodynamic & light forged wheel package for the Nissan GTR.

2009 Impreza WRX 5-door SPT at SEMA 2008

Subaru used the SEMA motor show to highlight the potential owners can get when they use parts from the Subaru Genuine Accessory and Subaru Performance Tuning catalogs.

Meant to showcase what is possible for anyone to easily duplicate, the company selected a series of parts in order to maximize the Impreza WRX's style and performance. Exterior modifications are relatively modest but include a new front lip spoiler by STI and fog light protectors. In order to enhance the car's handling the suspension has been outfitted with STI performance springs and a lower chassis brace and strut tower brace.

The WRX's already powerful 2.5-liter Boxer engine which produces 265 hp and 244 lb.-ft of torque has been raised to 275 hp and 250 lb.-ft of torque thanks to a new cat-back exhaust. Other changes include a short-throw shifter, 19x8-in. wheels by OZ Racing, and a turbo heat shield.

Toyota Tundra Diesel Dually Project Truck at SEMA 2008

In the realm of full-size pickup trucks, payload and towing capacity are just as significant as Nurburgring lap times are for the Porsche and Ferrari crowd. That's what's exciting about this diesel-powered, dual rear wheel (DRW) equipped Toyota Tundra that's appearing at SEMA. Put together by Toyota Motorsports' Technical Group, the menacing, charcoal gray truck stands as an answer to those who insist that the newly-upsized Tundra is a less serious truck than the competition from Ford and Chevrolet.

Under the hood, there's an 8.0 liter inline six-cylinder turbodiesel Hino commercial truck engine. A healthy five-speed manual transmission and a Hino DRW rear end get the power to the ground and boost this stretched Tundra's capacity. 22.5-inch wheels are provided by Alcoa. Toyota didn't release specifications, but the Tundra's fifth-wheel hitch is rated at 24,000 pounds. No word on if such a truck is a serious consideration for production, or if it's just truck-guy chest-thumping.