Top 5 from the SEMA show

The SEMA show took place last week in Las Vegas, Nevada and many OEMs showed off creations inspired by their current lineups. The modified cars extravaganza has provided some interesting results and here is our Top 5 straight from the Las Vegas stage.

Chevrolet Chevelle Slammer

1) Chevrolet Chevelle Slammer

So much swoon. If you thought SEMA was only about vehicles from the current model year, you thought wrong. This epic-looking 1969 Chevelle, an American muscle car from years past, makes a comeback with a modern twist that will make you look twice. It features parts from its current cousins, such as the sixth generation Camaro braking system, and highlights an LT1 small block engine-based powerhouse, the all-new LT376/535 crate engine that pushes 535 horsepower. Wipe that drool off your face!

Toyota Land Speed Cruiser

2) Toyota Land Speed Cruiser

How ludicrous does a 2,000-horsepower SUV sound? Very. That’s what the Toyota motorsport technical center developed for SEMA: the heavily modified Land Speed Cruiser with a lowered chassis, five-spoke Momo wheels and, oh, yeah, a  5.7L V8 twin-turbo engine producing tons of power and able to reach a maximum speed of 345 km/h.

ARK Road Racer Elantra Concept

3) Hyundai ARK Road Racer Elantra Concept

They say put your money where your mouth is. Not so long ago, we tested the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, criticizing its lack of spirit. Well, it feels like the answer was on its way and it was heading to SEMA. This is what happens when you take a quiet and gentle little Elantra and inject some bad genes into it. You get the Road Racer concept, equipped with a Xcargot  XT26 turbocharger, an Ark downpipe and GRiP exhaust and a handful of ARK performance parts under the sheet metal, wrapped up in a matte-grey finish.

Chevrolet Silverado HD Alaskan Edition

4) Silverado HD Alaskan Edition

A better name for this new truck could be the Canadian Winter edition. This Silverado 2500HD is the kind of vehicle every neighborhood could use once snow takes over. Equipped with a plow to clear the way, a set of projector lamps to work day and night and even trailoring mirrors, this is the hero our winters need.

Dodge Challenger Shakedown

 

5) Dodge Challenger Shakedown

Another trip down memory lane is this 1971-inspired Dodge Challenger powered by the 6.4L HEMI’s 485 ponies. It also features red Brembo Hellcat piston brakes, a Shaker hood scoop, asymetrical wheels with 19-inches at the front and 20-inches at the back and a Mopar custom dual exhaust. Among other things. Throw in an elegant matte charcoal body coat with some subtle red accents and this Shaker blends past and present with finesse.

Honorable mentions

This dynamic duo of modified models didn’t make our final-five cut, but deserve special attention nonetheless. Honourable mentions go to Toyota and Kia who have tried really hard to make minivans cool. Between the classic-almost-tacky ‘School of Rock’ Sedona; because all parents want to buy a stand out, electric guitar-clad minivan for their musical prodigy, and the obnoxiously low body and golden wheels of what looks like a gangster’s take on paternity, we just had to include them in our list.

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