There are a whole lot of eyes on America this week for apparent causes, however earlier than we descend right into a fiery feedback part, let’s flip our focus to one thing a bit extra Speedhunters-friendly: SEMA 2024.
The SEMA (Specialty Gear Market Affiliation) Present has been a cornerstone of the automotive tuning world since its inaugural occasion in 1967.
Quick-forward greater than 5 a long time, and the present now spans a cool 2 million sq. ft of exhibitor house, drawing 40,000 automotive trade people and fanatics from over 140 nations.
You’ll want all 4 days on the Las Vegas Conference Middle to take all of it in. Trek round every corridor, and also you’ll discover 3,000+ manufacturers showcasing their newest merchandise and over 1,500 automobiles on show. That’s a whole lot of huge numbers, even by American requirements.
Like different key trade occasions – assume Japan’s Tokyo Auto Salon or Germany’s Essen Motor Present – SEMA is a first-rate alternative to gauge what’s trending in automotive tradition whereas offering a snapshot of the present state of the tuning world.
From home vans to Japanese imports and the whole lot in between, there’s not a single model or pattern that isn’t represented right here ultimately. Whether or not you’re attending for a number of hours or the whole occasion, SEMA is assured to encourage.
So, what can we count on from SEMA 2024? Effectively, you’ve most likely already seen Rywire’s outrageous twin EV-motor EK Honda Civic, which made waves earlier this week. Whereas we’re not claiming that Nineteen Nineties Japanese hatchbacks are the way forward for efficiency tuning, the rising shift towards electrical powertrains and conversions continues to be some of the talked-about — and controversial — speaking factors in 2024.
In fact, vans, SUVs, and off-road automobiles are nonetheless a dominant pressure at SEMA, and it’s simple to know why, given the huge number of equipment on show. Raise kits, tyres, bead-lock wheels, tenting gear, and towing tools — you identify it, it’s right here.
In recent times, there’s been a noticeable rise in adventure-based overlanding, and conversions of non-domestic fashions like Porsche’s Cayenne is additional proof of how in style this section is.
As for widebody vehicles? It’s protected to say they’re nonetheless an enormous presence on the SEMA. However this 12 months, the vary of kinds on show is far wider (excuse the pun) than ever, shifting past the ‘conventional’ Rocket Bunny and Liberty Stroll kits which have dominated the scene for years.
And no journey to SEMA is full with out a go to to the legendary Toyo Treadpass. Stan Chen and the Toyo Tires workforce all the time ship right here; you might be assured some surprises, loads of never-before-seen builds, and a massively numerous choice, all below the Treadpass awning.
One among our early favourites? Presumably the smallest automotive at SEMA: this Autozam AZ-1. Complicated 90% of attendees with its micro-supercar seems to be, Dash Hart CP wheels, and gullwing doorways, it’s the type of quirky, boundary-pushing construct that reminds us why we love automotive tradition.
That is only a glimpse of what you may count on from SEMA 2024. Keep tuned later this week for a deeper dive into the present’s major halls, together with a better take a look at a number of the standout builds from this 12 months’s occasion.
The Speedhunters
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Pictures by Darrien Craven
Instagram: _crvn_
