There are a variety 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 automobile 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 area, drawing 40,000 automotive trade folks and fans from over 140 nations.
You’ll want all 4 days on the Las Vegas Conference Heart 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 variety of large numbers, even by American requirements.
Like different key trade occasions – suppose Japan’s Tokyo Auto Salon or Germany’s Essen Motor Present – SEMA is a chief alternative to gauge what’s trending in automobile tradition whereas offering a snapshot of the present state of the tuning world.
From home vehicles to Japanese imports and every thing in between, there’s not a single fashion or development that isn’t represented right here not directly. Whether or not you’re attending for a couple of hours or all the occasion, SEMA is assured to encourage.
So, what can we anticipate from SEMA 2024? Properly, you’ve in all probability already seen Rywire’s outrageous twin EV-motor EK Honda Civic, which made waves earlier this week. Whereas we’re not claiming that Nineties Japanese hatchbacks are the way forward for efficiency tuning, the rising shift towards electrical powertrains and conversions continues to be probably the most talked-about — and controversial — speaking factors in 2024.
In fact, vehicles, SUVs, and off-road automobiles are nonetheless a dominant pressure at SEMA, and it’s simple to know why, given the huge choice of equipment on show. Elevate 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 yr, the vary of kinds on show is way 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 no go to to the legendary Toyo Treadpass. Stan Chen and the Toyo Tires staff all the time ship right here; you could be assured some surprises, loads of never-before-seen builds, and a massively numerous choice, all below the Treadpass awning.
One in all our early favourites? Presumably the smallest automobile at SEMA: this Autozam AZ-1. Complicated 90% of attendees with its micro-supercar appears to be like, Dash Hart CP wheels, and gullwing doorways, it’s the type of quirky, boundary-pushing construct that reminds us why we love automobile tradition.
That is only a glimpse of what you’ll be able to anticipate from SEMA 2024. Keep tuned later this week for a deeper dive into the present’s important halls, together with a more in-depth have a look at among the standout builds from this yr’s occasion.
The Speedhunters
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Pictures by Darrien Craven
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