“The all-new Wrangler’s unique design includes an instantly recognizable keystone-shaped grille, iconic round headlamps and square tail lamps, improved aerodynamics, a convenient fold-down windshield for off-road purists, even more open-air freedom, and dozens of different door, top and windshield combinations,” teased Jeep in the brief release that accompanied the beefy eye-candy.
You’ll find no shortage of customized Ford F-Series trucks at the annual SEMA Show, but some of the most interesting can be found at Ford’s own show stand. For 2017, FoMoCo has 11 custom trucks and SUVs on display at the big show, and dozens more cars.
Here’s what you can expect to see on the convention floor if you are lucky enough to attend.
Ford Super Duty Project SD126
This 2017 Ford Super Duty XLT looks like a Tonka truck on steroids and is called Project SD126 by its creators. Under the hood, there’s a 6.7-liter V-8 diesel engine that’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The regular-cab truck was converted to a short bed and now rolls on a 126-inch wheelbase with massive 42-inch BFGoodrich Baja tires. It also features a BDS suspension and Fox coilovers. Inside, the blacked-out cab gets racing seats and harnesses along with an off-road GPS, and a booming custom stereo system by Kicker.
Air Design F-150 Lariat SuperCrew
This silver and black 2018 F-150 recalls the legendary Ford SVT Lightning trucks of the 1990s. A 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine that’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission powers the custom SuperCrew. It features Air Design Street Series Accessories that include a full body styling kit, hood scoop, fender vents, rear spoiler, and rear tailgate. Air Design says each custom piece is CAD designed for the 2018 Lariat SuperCrew and is easy to install.
Modern Adventurer SuperCrew
Here’s a nifty red and black Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew that’s made for outdoorsy types and the “Modern Adventurer,” according to its builder. It sports an all-new A.R.E. Z Revo cap to protect your gear in the bed. There’s a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine under the hood that’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s packed with plenty of outdoor goodies and the James Baroud roof top tent is a real must for campers.
Custom Ford F-150 4×4 Lariat SuperCrew
This custom F-150 4×4 Lariat SuperCrew was designed for both rough terrain and city streets. The sandy paint job with brown highlights and seven-inch lift kit make the truck look ready for desert running, and the Fuel Hostage two-piece forged beadlock wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires complete the rugged look. In case you missed the bright orange letters on the side of the F-150, it’s powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 that is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. A Ford Performance exhaust was added so all the critters can hear you coming and going.
RK Sport Race-Inspired F-150
RK Sport crafted this race track-ready black and red F-150 XLT SuperCab. It gets carbon-fiber bits including a ram air hood, front splitter, grille overlay, rocker panels, and rear spoiled. The ram air hood is functional and helps keep the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine cool. The V-6 is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The truck is lowered with a McGaughy’s lowering kit on Black Forgiato Technica wheels and Toyo Proxes ST tires, which complement the custom two-tone paint job.
Tjin Edition Ford F-150
This 2018 Tjin Edition Ford F-150 is a follow-up to the truck that “wowed the crowd at SEMA in 2012,” according to its creators. A beefy 5.0-liter V-8 engine that’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission powers the XLT. The slammed beige F-150 sports an Air Lift suspension and rolls on gold 24-inch Rotiform wheels and Falken tires. Big Baer brakes help to slow the 4×2 XLT SuperCrew down. A black and orange color scheme dominates the Katzkin interior, which can get rowdy thanks to a sound system by Kicker.
This 2017 Ford Super Duty F-350 is reporting for action. The recon adventure rig is called “The Operator,” and features a bed-mounted UTV supported by Hellwig’s Big Wig air springs and front and rear sway bars. It packs a 6.7-liter V-8 turbodiesel engine that’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The F-350 features a custom hand-painted digi-camo paint job to help stay hidden while you are out on a desert crawl.
Ford F-150 RTR Muscle Truck
Are you ready to rock, again? This Ford F-150 RTR Muscle Truck is made for hauling ass, doing donuts, mudding, jumping, or “spirited driving with friends.” Especially if your buds are like the concept truck’s owner—drift king Vaughn Gittin Jr. Under its low, wide hood, there’s a proper 5.0-liter V-8 engine that’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s rumored to pack over 600 horses, so you know it must be a blast to drive. We love the truck’s simple and stealthy design that should help make it easier for quick getaways.
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler won’t debut for a few more weeks, but Mopar has already revealed performance parts and accessories for the new SUV. These offerings debuted at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas.
For the first time, Mopar is bringing out a roof rack for the new Wrangler. This feature can accommodate a ski, snowboard, or bicycle carrier to help transport recreational equipment. Other new accessories from Mopar include a 2-inch lift kit, special Jeep Performance Parts beadlock-capable wheels, a Rubicon off-road bumper, mesh and solid bikini tops, unique rock rails, brushed aluminum fuel doors, new tire covers, a Warn winch, and military-grade LED off-road lights. On Wrangler Sport models, buyers can opt for a graphics package that includes a Moab-inspired off-road silhouette and a 1941 stripe to celebrate the year of Jeep’s birth.
Inside the cabin, buyers can opt for a new screen protector that prevents dust and debris from collecting on the infotainment system. There’s also a tailgate table that flips out as well as molded cargo trays that double the surface area of previous ones from Mopar. All-weather floor mats with a Moab motif are also available.
There are more than 200 new Jeep Performance Parts and accessories available on the 2018 Wrangler. “Virtually every Mopar product for the all-new Wrangler is new, redeveloped or redesigned,” said Pietro Gorlier, Mopar’s head of Parts and Service, in a release.
More than 98 percent of Jeep Wranglers are typically fitted with at least one Mopar product, the automaker says.
The new accessories will be available at dealerships when the Wrangler comes to market. Production of the new Wrangler is expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year.
Ford Performance and Ken Block want to help you drift like a pro with the first-ever electronically controlled performance handbrake. Called the “Drift Stick,” the new part applies the rear brakes to lock the wheels of a Forcus RS and induce a drift.
The Drift Stick was developed by the same team that brought us the Ford Focus RS’ Drift Mode, with Rally driver and Gymkhana star Ken Block consulting on the part’s design and function. The aluminum lever is installed in place of the normal handbrake between the driver’s seat and shifter. When you pull the lever up, the RS’ all-wheel drive system opens the clutches on the rear axle and the brake system applies pressure only to the rear. The system is entirely electronic and doesn’t require an extra set of rear calipers like you’d find on an aftermarket hydraulic setup for drift or rally cars. The Drift Stick also comes with a built-in calibration tool that can plug into the onboard diagnostics port and download certain data that can then be transferred and fine-tuned via USB.
“I think it’s really cool that Ford Performance is offering customers a way to create large-angle drifts in the Focus RS,” said Ken Block, in a release. “Obviously it’s something that I’m really passionate about having been a part of the development of the production vehicle, so it’s exciting to see it come to life. It definitely makes the car even more fun to drive.”
But just like the RS’ Drift Mode, the Drift Stick is made for track use only. The part is priced at $999 and will be available to order for U.S. and Canadian customers by December 1.
Watch Ken Block demonstrate how the Drift Stick works in the video below.
At this week’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, BMW introduced a selection of performance parts for the new M5. Many of these features will be available when the vehicle launches in the spring, while others will arrive in July 2018. BMW also introduced a special edition M3 to celebrate the model’s 30th year in the U.S. market.
BMW M Performance will offer motorsport stripes in M colors as well as a host of aerodynamic components made from carbon fiber for the BMW M5. These include a carbon-fiber rear spoiler and rear diffuser as well as side sill attachments and a newly designed front attachment.
Other M Performance goodies include a new coilover suspension and red coil springs, carbon ceramic brakes, and a new sports exhaust system with a titanium rear muffler. A carbon-fiber engine cover extension kit pops out to the keen observer when the hood is opened. Another feature records driving data and lets drivers display it on their smartphone. The Drive Analyzer records everything from engine data to speed, gear engagement, the use of accelerator and brake pedals, and lateral acceleration. An optional Tracfix action camera holder fits to the threaded bush of the towing lug to capture laps on film.
When it comes to the interior, BMW offers an M Performance steering wheel with Alcantara grip and a carbon fiber steering wheel cover. There are also newly designed carbon-fiber shift paddles and a carbon-fiber shift lever cover. An M Performance LED logo projector is also available.
To celebrate 30 years of the M3 in the U.S. market, BMW is selling a one-of-one model. It’s red on the outside, but open the doors and you’ll find a bold interior with red, white, and blue materials. Maybe the most appetizing part of the look are the bespoke golden wheels, which are surrounded by Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
The 2018 BMW M3 “30 Years American Edition” is based off the M3 Competition Package, which makes 444 hp. It comes with a six-speed manual transmission as well as a host of M Performance Parts, including the exhaust system, adjustable sports suspension lowering the ride height between 5 and 20 mm, and a rear wing handmade from carbon fiber.
So how much does this one-off M3 cost? BMW is selling it for $131,105.
