Held each year in Las Vegas, Nevada, the SEMA Show is an industry event for the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association.
Tuners and parts suppliers from across the industry and even from the realm of motorsports come to show off their wares, usually displayed on some sort of eye-catching highly-modified vehicle - be it a muscle car, hot rod or sport compact car.
And let's not forget the increasing presence of mainstream manufacturers like Hyundai, Scion, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Chrysler and Dodge. Major areas of interest at SEMA include Racing and Performance, Wheels and Tires, as well as Trucks, SUVs and Off-Road vehicles.
Held each year in Las Vegas, Nevada, the SEMA Show is an industry event for the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association.
Tuners and parts suppliers from across the industry and even from the realm of motorsports come to show off their wares, usually displayed on some sort of eye-catching highly-modified vehicle - be it a muscle car, hot rod or sport compact car.
And let's not forget the increasing presence of mainstream manufacturers like Hyundai, Scion, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Chrysler and Dodge. Major areas of interest at SEMA include Racing and Performance, Wheels and Tires, as well as Trucks, SUVs and Off-Road vehicles.
Along with its announced plans for Formula One next season, British sports car maker Lotus is also looking at expanding its racing efforts to include IndyCar, GT and Le Mans racing. Newly appointed company CEO Dany Bahar made the announcement to employees, stating that Lotus is studying expanding its racing efforts under a new corporate outlook.
Bahar, who comes from working for Red Bull's Formula 1 team and as the former head of marketing for Ferrari has ambitious plans to return Lotus to its former position as a motorsports leader, using motorsports as a way to brand the company's road cars, while using technology gained from racing efforts to help improve those very cars and develop new ones.
Lotus has made known plans to field a two car Evora team at next years Nürburgring 24 Hour race but now it appears as though as more long term plan may be coming into place.
No official decision has been made but we expect to see Lotus cars racing in the European and American Le Mans series in the near future.
Contrary to popular reports (our own included) there will be at least one foreign automaker at the Tokyo Auto Show. Lotus has announced its attendance and the British sports car company will unveil what it calls the Exige Scura, a special edition vehicle along the lines of the Exige S 260.
With 260 PS (257hp) the Scura gets a pumped-up version of the supercharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder motor from the Exige S and is capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 152 mph. Other highlights include Ohlins two-way shocks, Eibach springs, launch control and Lotus's traction control system.
What really sets this model apart, however, is the special Phantom Black paint and high gloss triple striped that run the length of the car. There's also a carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber oil cooler intakes and side scoops and rear spoiler. The wheels also get a special matte-black coating. In total the car weighs 22 lbs less than the standard model.
"The Exige Scura is a stunning vehicle which offers an adrenaline fuelled experience and is a real head-turner," said Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars. "Our Exige customers choose Lotus because we deliver thrilling performance and dynamic design and this special edition fits the bill on both counts."
The Exige Scura will be available immediately following the car's official unveiling at the Tokyo Auto Show on Wednesday and will be offered in Europe, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Lotus are confident their new car will be ready by mid-February ahead of the start of the 2010 Formula One season.
The Malaysian-funded team announced a scale model has been cleared to undergo windtunnel testing in the near future.
Technical director Mike Gascoyne said Lotus' priority is for two cars on the grid at the start of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix in March next year.
"There is no escaping the challenges we face to get the car ready for the first race of next season," said Gascoyne.
"But I am confident that we are up to the task.
"Our target is to get the car ready by the middle of February so that we can carry out pre-season testing for Bahrain in mid-March.
"We have been working with Fondtech to develop the aerodynamics, as well as with gearbox specialists Xtrac.
"We have an engine supply deal in place with Cosworth and we also have the support of engineering and composites teams in Malaysia who will play an integral role in developing the car."
Lotus are one of four new teams entering the competition next season alongside Campos GP, Manor and US F1.
Former Super Aguri driver Anthony Davidson has been linked with a move to Lotus, although Gascoyne said an untried Malaysian driver remains an option.
"We need reliable and technically-minded drivers who can help us develop the car during the season, but at the same time we need drivers who are hungry for results and who can extract every little bit of performance from the car at all times," he said.
Lotus are the fourth most successful constructor of all time,... [Read More]
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