Toyota's crazy custom cars make their debut: SEMA 2009
By Vincent Aubé, MSN Autos
Toyota is pulling all the stops this year at the 2009 SEMA in Las Vegas with no less than 21 concepts based on existing models. If some are a bit far-fetched, others are unique and innovative. Sales have been sluggish for the world’s number one car manufacturer over the past few months and the massive recall of millions of vehicles a few weeks ago didn’t help. Still the Japanese brand is betting big at the annual SEMA conference in Sin City, with a well-rounded portfolio of vehicles sure to please tuning and custom-cars buffs. Needless to say, Toyota, Lexus and Scion models aren’t alone on the floor, but the creations exhibited by Toyota deserve attention. Plus, it’s perfect timing for Canadian consumers to check out the Scion division set to launch here next year.
Toyota trucks and hybrids
Car tuning is usually associated with pure performance – with a total disregard for the environment. But with Toyota’s strategy to increasingly go green, it’s no surprise to see the company showcasing three hybrids – a Camry and two Priuses, the Aerius and the Aemulus, still charming in blue despite a more macho design.
Powered by electricity and natural gas, the Camry Hybrid Surfrider CNG is perfect for surfers. Toyota is also introducing a “more feminine vehicle” – the Yaris Hard Kandy Custom. This tiny subcompact has been modified inside and out to reflect the modern woman looking for a different kind of car. In the crossover category, Toyota and Billabong worked with StreetImage to create the Ultimate Venza Concept, an SUV that’s aimed at meeting the needs of extreme sports fans travelling with all their gear.
Click here to see photos of the Toyota, Lexus & Scion concepts at SEMA 2009
With its American setting, you’d expect a larger display of trucks at SEMA. The Tundra Hot Rod is a tribute to American retro hot rods. With Bonneville-type hub caps and flames on the front, it’s a definite success! The Tacoma TX Package concept is the most realistic of all, and some of the options could be seen on future Tacomas. For the outdoorsy type and video gamers alike, Toyota engineers have come up with the Tacoma ATG (All-Terrain Gamer), complete with screens throughout and a row of four seats including two that overhang from the cab so that four buddies can have a virtual match. Finally, Brooks & Dunn’s Tundra Midnight Rider Tailgater is probably the best expression of a Tailgate Party, the traditional American pre-game bash in the stadium’s parking lot. This Tundra really has it all.
Lexus is betting it all on the Cabriolet IS350C
This year the star of Toyota’s luxury division is definitely the IS350C. With four versions created by different companies, custom cabriolet lovers are sure to be thrilled. The IS350C, tuned by TRD (Toyota Racing Development), boasts many performance F parts available at the dealership. It’s low-key but effective.
Fox Marketing’s cabriolet is eye-catching with its hot green exterior and white interior. A supercharger under the hood takes care of boosting total output. Design Craft Fabrication and 0-60 magazine worked together to create a sharp black and white IS350C with a few welcome performance enhancers. Finally, JTuned.com and VIP Auto Salon’s pink Lexus IS350C reveals a number of visual and mechanical modifications aimed at improving performance.
The GS sedan is targeting an older audience. Still, the TRD division used performance parts from the F line, including rims, brakes and suspension, along with this brown exterior hue. David Huang’s Lexus IS300 (previous generation) is another example of extreme customization. Dubbed the IS1000, the sedan is equipped with a 1,000-hp Supra Mk.4 engine and cost more than $100,000.
The ever-popular Scion
Scions are renowned for their unlimited customization potential and the ones at the 2009 SEMA are no exception. Sparco and 0-60 magazine joined forces to create the rally xD. Equipped with every safety gadget, this xD has all it takes to race. The tC EPIC Cartel coupe is not for the light-hearted. Sitting on 22-inch rims and looking like a true speedster, this small Scion coupe boasts enough technology to blow up a power station.
Three Scions are entered in the Vegas Tuner Challenge, and Brandon Leung’s creation is the most original. The “El Camino” version of the Scion is a pickup-like xB mounted on 20-inch wheels and sporting a retro avocado colour.
Eneri Abillar’s xB is more conventional, but the bright orange colour isn’t. Equipped with a turbocharger, it’ll move. The last xB of the Tuner Challenge is Peter Colella’s, also loaded with replacement parts. Another xB, Five Axis’ DJ 2.0, is the car for those DJs who are always on the go. It’s the perfect party car. Finally, Mobile Kitchen by MV Designs’ xD shows that you don’t need a big truck to have your own onboard kitchen.
Posted by: wayne | 2009-11-09 1:09:46 AM
As a Canadian longshoreman in Vancouver, I unload a lot of Asian cars and all the Toyotas & Lexus's I've driven have been excellent. I see no reason why these new models could be any thing less.
Posted by: Jospeh | 2009-11-09 9:49:33 AM
As a Lexus driver I gotta say, I'm disgusted. I don't want some dock worker driving my car off of anything!
Posted by: JD | 2009-11-09 10:16:30 AM
Hey "Jospeh" - get a grip and pull that silver spoon out of your mouth and maybe get a grip on reality in this world. Do you think Ralph Lauren made YOUR clothes himself and delivered them right to the department store!....NOT! I could go down so many roads with this, but I can't be bothered because "I gotta say, I'm disgusted." with YOU! Hey Wayne - if you see a Lexus anytime in the future that says "Sold to Jospeh"....drive it off the dock!
Posted by: James | 2009-11-09 10:16:53 AM
As a decent human being, I think Lexus drivers who think they're better than anybody else, like dock workers, are absolute retards.
On another note, concept cars are always good initiatives for exploring new ideas. The more concept cars, the better.
Posted by: Alun | 2009-11-09 10:52:27 AM
Jospeh
9/10 well done you timed it well proper punctuation and you made people belive you are actualy a lexus driver leading to some responces.
Nice work
Posted by: Sean | 2009-11-09 11:02:44 AM
Hey Joseph,
As a human being I gotta say, I'm disgusted. I don't want you breathing the same air as me if you've got such a discontent for your fellow man.
Posted by: Sean | 2009-11-09 11:04:16 AM
PS: He's probably driven more Lexus cars then you ever will in your lifetime.
Posted by: Theo-albert | 2009-11-09 11:41:34 AM
I like the style of the sion half tone its vary cool and stylish it kind of lookls like a classic woodie.Mixd with a classic exstended ford style truck onle is a sion truck now my opinion is thet if you perhaps ad some classic wooden style flams to the sides so it has the classic wood look but yet a wood stylre that i think would look cool cause then you got a retro woody style but it would be up to dat whith the style of flamed wood sides the weels and bodie are realy cool it could pass i think as a futeristice truck its realy a cool style but if you take the whit sides and turn them into wooden flames kind give it a classic style butturnig the classic into moderate i think most thet that is way bett dudes white just is a shity style and dont mach.
Posted by: mike | 2009-11-09 11:50:37 AM
To avoid any possible association with the condescending likes Wayne - I will never buy a lexus. Hey Wayne, you just proved in your comment your real status in society - your car has nothing to do with it. But keep on pretending if you think it does.
Posted by: mike | 2009-11-09 11:52:03 AM
Sorry Wayne, I effed up the names - that was for Joseph the big headed lexus driver.
Posted by: grant | 2009-11-09 12:01:01 PM
I work in northern Alberta and 60% of my driving is off road, definately not Toyota country. I haven't seen them in the bush and not likely to, keep the toy trucks where they belong, for city boys who think they know what the back country is.
Posted by: The Truth | 2009-11-09 12:54:35 PM
Exactly what part of Northern Alberta is inaccesable to a Toyota ?
I also worked up there and pretty much all you see is company vehicles, welding rigs and heavy equipment.
That's not to say a Toyota or Nissan couldn't easily go through these places.
The main reasons is most companies get a fleet deal from Dodge or Ford or a rental agency who gets the deal. Also type of fuel is an issue, Diesel mainly being the fuel of choice, Toyota does make excellent diesels but they aren't powering their North american full size vehicles as of yet.
My welding rig is a 3/4 ton GMC HD but if Nissan comes out with a suitable replacement I'd grab one in a minute. I've owned 3 Nissan 4x4 s and never they've failed me over 25 years coast to coast in the states and Canada, on or off road in some places I've pulled out Ford 250s and Jeeps.
By the way when you are "in the bush" in Northern Alberta it is NOT the toughest place to be, even if YOU are the one making the Trail.
Posted by: THIS GUY :) | 2009-11-09 2:07:02 PM
HA! Lexus... entry level. A toyota with a L badge and leather seats... I bet that the real somebody's out there are Disgusted with you parking your lexus next to there real luxury cars... Get a grip my friend if you think your that important in a lexus your only fooling yourself. I bet you think olive garden is fine dining also... have a good day :)
Posted by: Sri | 2009-11-09 3:25:38 PM
I gotta say, Toyotas are pretty durable cars. Not really sure about the new ones, but i think its too much to offer. The prices are most likely going to be too high and well... who needs half this stuff. But for those who want a durable, satisfying and overall good car and have money to spend, get a toyota! :)
Posted by: Dave | 2009-11-09 3:46:25 PM
Lexus are not worth what you pay for them and the people that drive them usually have more money than brains.
Posted by: Mark | 2009-11-09 4:10:10 PM
I drove a lot of Lexus/Toyota products and I must say they do drive nice however they are flimsy cars and the asian luxury car manufacturers cut corners in some places I find important , like a sturdy interior and a tougher body. I hate it when i use something and it feels like it could break unless I am gentle at all times... Just my opinion. In the meantime I will stick with solid North American built and manufactured Luxury car unless I test drive an import that proves otherwise.
Posted by: Mark | 2009-11-09 4:21:32 PM
In response to "The Truth" the truth is the manufacturers of those trucks do not rate the gross weight properly and make flimsy trucks compared to Ford , dodge and chev kinda have the same problem. I sold many fleet trucks in Alberta and the big companies want reliable hard working trucks that can handle the harsh terrain and conditions. Ford trucks proven to make those big companies a lot of money with less downtime than other manufacturers. If a Toyota or Nissan truck was priced properly and equipped bettermore havy duty and had a price tag that made sense they would be out there too. Some companies save money by fleeting Dodge and Chev trucks , most service machines not the real heavy workers. I really loved how the Tundra rode its axle when it had a trailer that according to its specs should have had no trouble with.... Like when Honda made the 6v truck and it wont shift from 2nd on the highway pulling holiday trailers for the same reason. But that is just my opinion and what I see and witness here in Alberta.
Posted by: George | 2009-11-09 5:45:28 PM
Toyotas and Lexus' are cool
Posted by: Aaron Arnold | 2009-11-09 5:48:06 PM
hmm toyata not a off road truck.. Guess I must have missed something as half the trucks in bush here in BC are toyotas now of course they are modified.. but still.
Posted by: sandy de Jong | 2009-11-09 6:54:05 PM
What is the world coming to pretty soon we will not be able to do any of the work ourselves on these vehicles and they look like shit with all these gadgets on them. i will always take a 73 chevy over a new hybrid piece of crap anyday.