“It's the most wonderful time of the year…”SEMA 2014 Wrapup
A pass to SEMA is akin to an invite to the Playboy Mansion for most nerdy teenage boys. But just like any 14 year old geek, once there, they have no clue how to navigate. The grotto first, the game room, the Aviara- where to start? Luckily it gets much easier after some experience but there's still so much to see that leaves a lot that gets missed. It's still fun trying!
SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is the industry show for manufacturers and aftermarket companies to unveil new trends in the car world. Basically, it's a gearhead's oxygen. Quick stats:
2,500 exhibitors
60,000 buyers
2,000 newly introduced products
$33.4 Billion industry
Hottest Vehicles of 2014 SEMA:
Hottest Car: Ford Mustang
Hottest 4×4: Jeep Wrangler
Hottest Truck: Chevy Silverado
Hottest Compact SUV: Honda Fit
Let's check out what's new in the OEM world.
FORD:
The All Star Ford Fiesta ST is equipped with a buttload of Cobb goodies from the front mount intercooler kit, Accessport V3, rear engine mount, and cat-back exhaust, intake, and downpipe. Baer 6 piston brakes, Air Lift air suspension system, and an Eibach sway bar kit keep it planted while vintage-inspired US Mags Big Slot wheels dressed in Falken FKFK-453 rubber round out this tuner Fiesta.
This 2015 Mustang GT Fastback by CGS Performance had a set of 24×16″ Kompression Forged rear one-off deep dish wheels that I could practically fit in and spin like a hamster in a wheel. Supposedly there's a Whipple supercharger hiding under here but like many cars at SEMA, I'd assume the hood would be raised if plumbing was truly complete for this project.
Import tuners are well acquainted with Full Race Motorsports. This Mustang was hand built in house and features the “FreakoBoost” turbo kit (with Borg Warner EFR 7163 twin scroll turbo), FMIC, 3″ intake and 3″ turbo back dual exhaust mated to the 2.3L EcoBoost engine, producing 500hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. Full Race intends to use it to compete in SCCA and Time Attack events. Wavetrac LSD, Penske Racing front coilovers with inverted struts and camber plates and double adjustable rear dampers, Whiteline front and rear sway bars, rear camber bushings, and roll center adjustment kit, and Brembo front (15″ 6 piston) and rear (14″ 4 piston) brakes round out this Stang. I can't wait to check it out on track.
The Roush Stage 3 TrakPak upgrades the stock Mustang GT with Roush-Yates (Lucky 7's) 777hp supercharger and Activ8 Performance exhaust.
