SEMA Show 2016 preview

With this year’s Paris motor show wrapped up, now all eyes are on the upcoming 2016 Speciality Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) event, which has garnered a reputation for displaying one of the wildest collections of modified cars each year.

This year, the event will take place on November 1-4 at its usual location at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Manufacturers have started to announce the cars they’ll be showcasing at the event, so let’s run through what we know will be there this year.

Ford Fusion Sports

Ford is bringing two Fusion Sport models to the SEMA show – the Fusion Sport Ballistic by Webasto Thermo & Comfort North America, and the Fusion Sport by Legacy Innovations. The Fusion Sport Ballistic has a custom interior, exhaust, engine calibration and pre-heater upgrades, while the Legacy Innovations car features upgraded brakes, exhaust and cold air kit, plus 20-inch wheels and a series of bodywork upgrades.

Ford F-150s

Ford will have no fewer than four F-150s at the SEMA show this year – the EraThr3, Bojix Design, XLT SuperCab and Lariat. The standout feature of the EraThr3 is its supercharged 760hp 5.0-litre V8. Meanwhile, the Bojix Design has off-road styling with 7.0-inch lift kit, knobbly tyres and off-road-friendly wheels. The XLT SuperCab's main eye-catcher is its storage area, incorporating multiple TV screens, not to mention its custom gold paint job; and the Lariat is a BMX-inspired pick-up.

Ford Mustangs

There are five Ford Mustangs heading to the SEMA Show this year as official Ford show cars. The first is finished in 'stealth grey' paint and is fitted with Ford's Mustang performance pack. The second, the MRT Mustang, has been given various performance upgrades and a "focus on full car balance”. It is finished in black and red, with dark bronze wheels. The third is the Ford Mustang by SpeedKore Performance Group, has an 836hp 5.0-litre V8 and stage two supercharger. It’s hard to miss the pearl candy orange paint of the fourth – Stitchcraft Interiors’ Mustang, which has a matching interior as well as 20-inch forged monoblock wheels. The fifth is the Mustang Fastback Track Attack by VMP Performance, which is the most powerful, at 863hp. There are numerous performance and bodywork additions and the car is finished with Americana decals, so there’s no mistaking its nationality.

Hyundai Santa Fe (with Rockstar Performance)

Hyundai is set to show a modified version of its Santa Fe SUV at the upcoming event and has teamed up with Rockstar Performance to create it. No peak-power output has been quoted yet, but the modified Santa Fe is powered by a 3.3-litre V6 engine and features a raft of performance upgrades that include a nitrous oxide injection system. Power is delivered to all four wheels, which have been upgraded to 17-inch off-road-spec items with 35-inch off-road tyres.

Hyundai Santa-Fast

Hyundai has joined forces with famous SEMA Show regulars Bisimoto to create the Santa-Fast – a rear-wheel-drive Santa Fe with 1,039hp. The engine is a heavily modified, turbocharged version of Hyundai’s 3.8-litre V6 engine. A race-inspired livery and upgraded alloy wheels go without saying. It is SEMA, after all.

Hyundai-Gurnade Veloster Concept

Hyundai’s US operations say the Gurnade Veloster Concept is a race-ready version of the coupé. It features upgraded bodywork, lowered suspension, three-piece alloy wheels and a custom rear spoiler. Details of any under-the-bonnet modifications have not been revealed yet.

Hyundai ARK Road Racer Elantra Concept (with ARK Performance)

The ARK Road Racer Elantra has been produced in collaboration with ARK Performance and features racing wheels, custom front and rear fascias, and huge, flared wheel arches. There’s a custom turbo kit by ARK Performance, as well as a series of ARK suspension upgrades.

Chevrolet Blue Line concepts

Chevrolet has taken a more subtle approach, which will make its cars stand out at the 2016 SEMA Show with their comparatively restrained styling. The cars incorporate ground effects kits, lowered suspension and a variety of blue-tinted exterior upgrades.