What's hot in the automotive world? | 2022 SEMA Live Thread

New from BBS: Its RI-D wheel in diamond gold finish. 

In reply to ГУЛАГ мальчик УР следующий :

Well I am NOW!

ГУЛАГ мальчик УР следующий said:

David S. Wallens said:

New from Forgeline: the ET3, a forged aluminum slot mag.

Anybody but me wondering about a set of these on the new Z-car?

Someone really needs to do that. 

See also: Forgeline's OE1 and OE2 wheels–steelie looks but forged construction.

Some details from Nissan about the EV-Sunny from the press release:

Two different eras of Nissan vehicles collide at the 2022 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show with the reveal of a 1987 Sunny Truck that has been converted to LEAF all-electric power by South Carolina-based Tommy Pike Customs (TPC).

The 1987 Nissan Sunny, owned by TPC owner Tommy Pike, features the electric drive motor and 40-kWh lithium-ion battery pack from a Nissan LEAF. Rated at 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, the LEAF motor has around twice the power and more than three times the torque of the gasoline four-cylinder engine originally equipped in the Sunny.

"I bought the Sunny Truck because I thought it was such a cool piece of Nissan history and heritage – especially when I saw it was a right-hand-drive model," said Tommy Pike. "Taking the unexpected step of converting the Sunny to electric power while wrapping it with the Brock Racing Enterprises livery felt like the perfect way to pay homage to Nissan's heritage and modern innovation."

The complete list of modifications to the LEAF-powered Sunny includes:

• Nissan LEAF electric motor conversion with factory-original 56A manual transmission
• Custom CNC-machined motor-to-transmission bellhousing adapter
• "Hakosuka" Skyline widebody kit
• Aluminum battery box
• Custom driveshaft
• LED lighting conversion
• Heavy-duty rear leaf springs and suspension
• Nissan 240SX S13 front suspension conversion, including front coilovers, disc brakes and lower control arms
• Tommy Pike / Peter Brock collaboration custom Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) "46" livery
• Custom user interface display designed by Clemson University ICAR
• TPC custom-designed and handcrafted interior with Laedana material by Tesca
• 17-inch Rotiform wheels
• 205/45/17 Toyo Extensa tires

That little Toyo tunnel is probably the highest density of quality cars in the whole place. Moar!

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I just did a quote on those slotted Forgeline ET3's. It was sobering.. Way out of my league..

Details about VW's GLI Performance Concept:

From the release:

Paying homage to the many years in the model lineup, Volkswagen’s Design Center California borrowed features from the GLI’s rich history, amplifying them in a complete rework of the Jetta GLI Performance concept’s exterior and underpinnings.

“The Jetta GLI concept was an opportunity for our team to draw from our passion for motorsports and create a vision that is even more expressive and exciting than the production vehicle already is,” said Reto Brun, Senior Director Volkswagen Design Center California. “The wide body design gives this GLI concept the stance that every enthusiast dreams of and the graphic treatment underlines its more aggressive nature, while incorporating classic GLI elements.”

Built on a 2022 Jetta GLI Autobahn with six-speed manual, the GLI Performance concept features front and rear fenders that are 0.8 inches wider than stock, all with backside vents. The motorsport-inspired flares are tied together at the profile through larger profile side skirts.  A custom front bumper boasts upsized grille intakes, while the rear bodywork sports updated grille inserts and a muscular lower valance that frames the car’s twin-exit sport muffler. A custom hexagon-themed matte black vinyl wrap transitions to the car’s factory shade of Kings Red Metallic paint.

Building off Volkswagen’s EA88 Gen 3 engine, RacingLine has added its IS38 turbo-based performance package. An R600 Carbon Fiber Cold-Air Intake and Performance Intercooler deliver the necessary flow of cool air, while an oil management kit and oil cooler aid with thermal management of the motor’s oil. Power is delivered to the front wheels via the factory six-speed transmission mated to an upgraded performance clutch package.

To counter the GLI Performance concept’s 350 horsepower and 372 pound-feet of torque—up from the stock 228 hp and 258 lb-ft—RacingLine has bolted on its Stage 3+ six-piston forged caliper big brake kit (BBK) with 15.0-in diameter carbon-ceramic discs. Ensuring the car’s additional forward momentum and braking power stays manageable on track, RacingLine also provided its TrackSport coil-over suspension kit, engineered with the brand’s extensive race experience. TrackSport brings together features more typically found on full-blown racecars, such as a coil-over rear spring/damper, a ‘thick stem’ inverted front damper, lightweight aluminum bodies, 2.4-in linear springs with helpers, and fully-adjustable solid top mounts. In combination, the tuning package delivers a track-worthy suspension that is just as at home on the street.

Lastly, to increase body rigidity, reduce sub-frame deflection and maintain accurate suspension geometry, RacingLine’s suite of underbody braces was added. Putting the GLI Performance concept’s power to the tarmac is a set of Rotiform® Forged “GRZ” Monoblock 20-inch wheels with custom finished AERODISC covers. The wheels, wrapped in summer performance tires, complete the race-inspired design theme while providing necessary traction and grip. To support the project, Rotiform will make the Jetta GLI Performance concept’s AERODISC graphics available for download on http://www.rotiform.com/aerodisc/. To facilitate wheel and tire swaps, the Rotiform GRZ wheels are bolted up with RacingLine’s wheel stud and nut conversion kit.

For driver and passenger to best enjoy the concept’s newfound capabilities, a pair of classic Recaro® Pole Position ABE seats have been installed in the cockpit, and feature integrated headrests with high bolsters finished in a custom ‘Texagon’ themed upholstery.

nocones said:

In reply to ГУЛАГ мальчик УР следующий :

Well I am NOW!

With a $3000 markup like back in '70?

Gah... Can anybody help me recall/enumerate the various wheels that are similar to the Rotiform Aerodisc covers on the Sunny and GLI (but maybe not shaped like sacrificial curb feelers an inch past the sidewalls), or similar to the Ronal Turbo, etc... Y'know, big disc in the middle, short spokes around the perimeter?

I've had them on the brain recently.

A bit of an aside, but for all the grousing about how SEMA has lost focus and whatnot, let me tell you that while the show may be a slight victim of its own hype, it's nowhere near as insanely over the top irrelevant as it was pre-20008 housing bust, when companies were just hosing money around like crazy on ridiculous setups.

The most bonkers one I recall was some off-road Brodozer type accessory company who built basically a full-size strip club as their booth. There was a structure, probably 30 x 50, with walls, but no ceiling. Outside the structure ther were parking spaces with their project cars parked up next to the "building." Inside there were tables for meetings, most of them with dancers on top of them ("Okay, if you can sign right here we'll... Candy please don't kick the pen.) And a stage and a DJ where the featured dancers would twirl after they were done with table duty. 

I think the only one who made any money off the entire setup was probably whoever sold the cocaine to the room full of psychos who then came up with the idea. 

Anyway, Optima's giant battery is fun, too, and way classier.

I've been mostly stuck in meetings so far, but have spotted a few Mavericks:

This caught my eye, too:

Spotted the return of GLH:

And this was VERY interesting:

HurriCrate Cat3 Crate Engine

MSRP: TBD

P/N: TBD

Description: The new Hurricane twin-turbo engine - a potent six-pack of power from Direct Connection.

State-of-the-art boosted technology in a crate for builders, enthusiasts and racers who need high power density.

Features:

• 550HP
• 3.0L twin-turbo
• 26 psi boost
• Dual low-inertia/high-flow turbos
• DOHC-VVT
• Direct-injection

• Engine-mounted intercoolers

• Fuel: Premium

Availability: Q2 2023

Disclosure: Emissions: CRATE HEMI ENGINES ARE DESIGNED FOR INSTALLATION IN: 1. ANY MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO MODEL YEAR 1976, OR 2. COMPETITION VEHICLES DRIVEN ON TRACKS OR OFF-ROAD.

Vehicles manufactured 1976 and later equipped with this part should not be driven on public roads or highways. Mopar customers are responsible for ensuring that their use of their vehicle equipped with this part complies with applicable federal, state/provincial, and local laws, regulations and ordinances. Vehicles manufactured 1976 and later equipped with this part and driven on public roads or highways may violate U.S., California, Canadian or local motor vehicle emissions laws and regulations.
 

Always cool to see past GRM feature cars at the show:

Nice. Needs moar low.. 

Bolt-in kit with no drilling to EV swap your 911. $60k 

home sweet home for the week

Toyota has released some details on its forthcoming GR Cup cars:

Upon arrival at TGRNA’s North Carolina facility, each GR86 will be fitted with Bosch® engine management, custom Borla® exhaust, SADEV® 6-speed sequential transmission, Alcon® brakes, adjustable JRI Shocks®, OMP® safety equipment, roll cage, carbon fiber rear wing, 22-gallon fuel cell, TGRNA designed MacPherson struts, Stratasys® custom bodywork, a TGRNA designed splitter and more.

The 14-race series, sanctioned by SRO America, will hit seven tracks: Sonoma Raceway, COTA, VIR, Music City Grand Prix, Road America and Sebring.

Also from Toyota, GR Corolla Rally Concept:

From the release:

Starting with a 2023 GR Corolla Circuit Edition, Marty Schwerter and the Toyota Motorsports Garage team – Brad Vetter, lead fabricator; Justin Lacore, fabricator; and David Senn, technician – nailed the goal of creating an ultimate rally machine. Inspired by the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Yaris Rally1 World Rally Championship race car, they focused on applying many of the race car’s technologies and characteristics to this concept.

The first task was creating functional rally car bodywork that complements the GR Corolla’s already dynamic look. They fabricated an aggressive wide body configuration with massive three-inch fender flares made from 20-gauge steel, and integrated carbon composite side skirts. Huge openings in front and rear fenders direct and exhaust dirty air from the wheel openings, and the fenders are aerodynamically designed to create maximum downforce.

More aero and downforce advantages come by way of a carbon composite front splitter with a 4.5-inch overall length, and a massive custom-fabricated carbon fiber rear wing. This design features both a wing and spoiler providing two elements of downforce, with side plates mounted to the hatch to align the wing with the vehicle’s roofline.

Of primary importance was increasing airflow to the custom oil and transmission coolers mounted in the interior and just behind the driver and navigator. The team custom designed functional rear quarter windows with vents directing air to the coolers, and Toyota North America R&D Engineering Design Innovation 3D-printed the components.

On the corners are 17 x 8-inch OZ Racing wheels with 215/60R17 Continental VikingContact® 7 tires, and fully adjustable TEIN Gravel Rally coilovers to complete the package. The team kept the GR Corolla’s robust and capable brake setup with 14 x 1.1-inch ventilated and slotted rotors with four-piston aluminum calipers, then added Wilwood® turning brakes – a secondary set of rear calipers – to help provide the braking and turning control needed for gravel rally terrain. Combined with the custom bodywork, the result is a stance that is six inches wider than stock.

The production G16E-GTS 1.6-liter, three-cylinder port injected turbo, 12-valve DOHC engine with its single-scroll ball-bearing turbocharger that already produces a healthy 300 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, provides a solid heartbeat for this new hot hatch. With the help of MagnaFlow®, the team added a fully custom exhaust system and GR high flow air filter to help optimize airflow and exhaust performance.

The interior is all rally driving function and purpose, with the team adding only what a rally team needs and modifying the rear seats to fit the roll cage and spare tire. The GR Corolla Rally Concept features OMP® Racing seats and belts, a custom full cage made from TIG welded 1 3/4-inch x .095 DOM steel, OMP Racing fire suppression system, ZeroNoise® rally intercom system and a spare tire mount and jack. With the addition of the turning brake system, the team slightly relocated the standard six-speed manual shifter to provide optimal driver ergonomics.

Adding Toyota Gazoo Racing-inspired paintwork by Complete Customs®, McKinney, Texas, completes the goal of enticing the imagination of what can be done with the dynamic GR Corolla canvas.

In reply to Tom Suddard :

Hmm if someone has a 901 with a sandcast engine... it's quite reasonable. 

I <3 bagger racing 

In reply to David S. Wallens :

Way Cool!

David S. Wallens said:

New from Mark Williams Enterprises: high-strength driveline components for vintage Corvette (not the Star Wars space ship), Jaguar (not the guitar), Pantera (not the band) and Viper (not the TV show).

Among the new hardware: a 30-spline inboard yoke shaft that replaces the 17-spline piece found standard on the C2 and C3 Corvette.

This is way cool!

Tom Suddard said:

And this was VERY interesting:

HurriCrate Cat3 Crate Engine

MSRP: TBD

P/N: TBD

Description: The new Hurricane twin-turbo engine - a potent six-pack of power from Direct Connection.

State-of-the-art boosted technology in a crate for builders, enthusiasts and racers who need high power density.

Features:

• 550HP
• 3.0L twin-turbo
• 26 psi boost
• Dual low-inertia/high-flow turbos
• DOHC-VVT
• Direct-injection

• Engine-mounted intercoolers

• Fuel: Premium

Availability: Q2 2023

Disclosure: Emissions: CRATE HEMI ENGINES ARE DESIGNED FOR INSTALLATION IN: 1. ANY MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO MODEL YEAR 1976, OR 2. COMPETITION VEHICLES DRIVEN ON TRACKS OR OFF-ROAD.

Vehicles manufactured 1976 and later equipped with this part should not be driven on public roads or highways. Mopar customers are responsible for ensuring that their use of their vehicle equipped with this part complies with applicable federal, state/provincial, and local laws, regulations and ordinances. Vehicles manufactured 1976 and later equipped with this part and driven on public roads or highways may violate U.S., California, Canadian or local motor vehicle emissions laws and regulations.
 

Hey Tom, can you ask them if they're planning on obtaining an EO like GM does for so many crates?