Honda Civic Si Coupe Compass 360 Racing HPD 2012

With the recent unveiling of the ninth generation Civic in early 2011, there’s was no doubt in our minds that Honda would make the coupe its SEMA star. Among the many other cool packages Honda displayed in Vegas, the Compass360 Racing HPD Civic Si Coupe Racecar sat gleaming in its tri-color scheme.

The work on the Compass360 Racing HPD started earlier this year with the Civic bodies-in-white, a program that offers a significant cost and labor savings to race teams. This program offers teams a bare bones chassis to eliminate the time and money spent on breaking down production models for racing. Sales of the body-in-white shells began in July 2011, and HPD has delivered a number of them to licensed race teams thus far, each priced at $3,500.

Since the program began, the company has been busy working on this Compass360 Racing prototype that provides details on the company’s new racing performance parts program specifically designed for the 2012 Civic. These racing parts are tailored for use in the SCCA World Challenge and Grand Am’s Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. They will be available early in 2012, and full details and pricing will be released at that time.

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Kia Optima Hybrid USTCC Pace Car 2012

If we weren’t looking at this car with our very own eyes, we would have never believed that a Kia Optima Hybrid could look this good! Kia has pulled out all of the stops at this year’s SEMA Show with two very impressive update packages based on the hybrid sedan. First, was the Optima Hybrid Griffin and now, the USTCC Kia Optima Hybrid Pace Car.

The new USTCC Optima Hybrid Pace Car will replace the current Kia Soul as the official Safety Car of the USTCC. The car was developed in cooperation with GoGoGear.com and includes a free-flow air intake system, a Magnaflow exhaust system, a coil-over suspension kit to lower the ride height, a front splitter and rear wing, and lightweight wheels wrapped around performance tires.

All of those accessories are amazing in their own right, but the first thing we noticed on the car was the stunning custom color scheme, series graphics, and array of lighting. The Optima now benefits from a crisp black exterior with neon green graphics and a plethora of lighting, including LED auxiliary lights and HID headlight. The Optima Pace Car also has strobe lights and an LED light bar on the roof to help direct traffic while on duty.

The interior was also transformed to make the job easier with a 2,400-watt audio and video system and a DVD system with dual seven-inch monitors in the front-seat headrests and wireless headphones. The Optima was also given custom leather seats with green stitching to match the exterior trim color.

The USTCC Kia Optima Hybrid Pace Car will make its first USTCC appearance in March 2012.

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KleenSpeed EV-X11 2011

Typically, a vehicle is previewed by a concept, honored as a production model, and then, if suitable, powered up as a race car. KleenSpeed Technologies is throwing that formula out the window to show just what their new technology can do out on the track. Their logic is that, if their technology can make it out on the track, then it can easily prove itself out on the streets. So, the company poised to develop innovative and advanced technologies and intellectual properties to revolutionize the EV industry built their new EV-X11 Electric Race Car prototype.

The EV-X11 is based on the chassis of the state-of-the-art West Race Cars American LeMans IMSA Lite L2 sports racer modified by KleenSpeed and fitted with a proprietary KleenSpeed EV System including a power controller, charging system, battery packs, and ancillary components. The car delivers up to 200 HP and can hit an impressive top speed of 160 mph. Moreover, it has already made a name for itself by setting a new lap record for an electric car at California’s Laguna Seca race track: 1:38.858.

With electric cars becoming a very important part of the automotive industry and rumors that FIA is taking the launch of a new Formula E category for zero-emission electric race cars under consideration, KleenSpeed may just have the upperhand for this round. They’ve even gone as far as setting up a very specific and lofty goal for their electric racer: establishing new EV lap records at many major race venues and EV race series in the US and Europe in the coming year.

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Yamaha Super Tenere 2012

With a history that dates all the way back to the famous Paris to Dakar rally of yesteryear, the Yamaha Super Ténéré is the ultimate machine for experiencing all facets motorcycling has to offer.

In terms of its design, the Super Tenere is more utility than it is specialty. The design of the bike is highlighted by the raised snout and narrow windscreen. There are also slab-sided aluminum panniers, a tubular handlebar, adjustable seats, tall mirror stalks, a multi-function carrier system on the back, and a 19" front wheel that completes the picture of a bike that can ride on just about road it travels on.

Where the Super Tenere lacks in design sizzle, it more than makes up for in performance. At the heart of the bike is an ultra-compact 1,200cc DOHC parallel twin engine mated to a six-speed wide-ratio transmission that features a very unique 270 degree crank whose close firing order gives the engine its unrivaled power characteristic. The bike also incorporates YCC-T fly by wire technology which is matched to an all-new traction control system, regulating ignition timing, and fuel injection volume based on rear wheel spin.

The Super Tenere features an all-new steel frame that is designed to reduce rider fatigue during long rides. The steel main frame allows the bike to enjoy balanced strength and flexibility, while the suspension set-up on the bike gives the Super Tenere the comfortable riding characteristics a bike of its name deserves. The suspension consists of 43mm forks on the front with 7.48" of travel and adjustable preload, compression, and rebound dampening, plus an adjustable pre-load suspension on the rear that allows the rider to adjust for varying loads or a passenger with the simple turn of a knob.

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Yamaha FZ8 2012

Bikers love a motorcycle that speaks to their tastes. More often than not, they enjoy a ride that comes with aggressive looks and a sporty character. In so many words, that’s what you’ll get with the Yamaha FZ8. The bike’s "mass-forward" styling is accentuated by an aggressive headlight design while an FZ1-style instrument cluster features a great looking tachometer with a white face.

It’s not enough that the bike looks good, which it does, but it also has to come with real-world performance that sports bikes of this caliber are capable. Other bikes will offer you entry-level performance to get you acclimated to the seats, but the FZ8 is different. This is one bike that has naked sportsbike grit with matching power and bucket’s worth of attitude. The FZ8’s muscular stance speaks to the aggression of the machine while a comfortable and upright riding position matches up with a compact design that contributes to the bike’s first-rate handling. In so many words, this bike excels in just about every road it travels.

More than just its stunning good looks, the FZ8 is powered by a 779cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, inline 4-cylinder, 4-valve engine that delivers smooth power delivery and gobs of torque in the low to mid rpm range. Likewise, a cast aluminum frame and a lightweight Controlled-Fill aluminum swingarm provides the ideal rigidity balance for outstanding cornering performance.

Suffice to say, the Yamaha FZ8 is a bike that oozes confidence. It packs plenty of attitude and adrenaline with all of Yamaha’s renowned build and finish quality, resulting in a street sports machine that screams performance riding anytime and anywhere.

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BMW 1-Series M Coupe by H&R Springs 2012

For all of the tuning projects that have been done on the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, it seemed a little surprising that we haven’t heard a whole lot from the popular 1M at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show other than the ’Black Knight’ vehicle that RevoZport was building.

Apparently, a second 1M Coupe has officially booked its attendance in Las Vegas.

This one comes from renowned suspension specialists, H&R Springs, who built a program for the 1M Coupe that centers on a number of high-end performance parts. That’s not to say that they didn’t work on the car’s aesthetics because they did dress it up with some decals bearing the unmistakable M-Series livery to go with some sticky jewel graphics.

To give the car the perfect stance and performance handling of a true M-Series, H&R Springs provided it with its own Sport Suspension set-up that lowered the car by 1.2" on the front and 0.6" on the rear. H&R also added their own Sport Sway Bars on the front (27mm) and rear (23mm) of the sports car. These bars come with forged ends and are made from HF wire, a material that’s unique to the industry because it’s heat treated and shot peened. The last of H&R Springs’ performance parts is the Trak+ Wheel Spacers, installed to perfectly space the wheels and tires in fender wells, and allow for wheel clearance of the big Brembo calipers.

As for contributions made by its contemporaries, the 1M Coupe’s new 19" wheels were provided by BBS and its new Super RS wheels and has been fitted with Continental ExtremeContact DW tires. As for the Brembo brakes, H&R Springs opted to go with the Brembo GT 380mm Big Brake Kit with matching blue calipers from Custom Motorsport.

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Ford Mustang Stage 3 Premier Edition by Roush 2012

When the RS3 Focus by Roush Performance was officially revealed, we couldn’t help but be a little disappointed in the tuning firm’s choice of vehicle. A Ford Focus, seriously? However, just in time to redeem themselves in our book, Roush Performance turned to their first love for a bit of tuning action: a Ford Mustang. The special Stage 3 Premier Edition Mustang was developed in cooperation with Roush Fenway Racing team driver David Ragan and displayed in SEMA for all to see.

The Stage 3 Premier Mustang emblazoned the show floor with three different colors for the base vehicle, graphics, and graphic accents. The result is an impressive palette of unique color combination possibilities and the only standout feature from a standard Stage 3 Mustang kit. That’s right, the only additional features for this special Stage 3 are the colors. Under the hood, we still found a 5.0L 4-valve DOHC TiVCT engine equipped with a R2300 Roush supercharger to increase the total output to an impressive 540 HP. The Mustang also received a race-inspired Roush suspension and a Roush Performance tuned exhaust system from the original package.

"This is a show-quality, premier paint application process. All paint is hand-applied at our Roush Performance facilities in Livonia, Mich., along with technical support from the Sherwin-Williams team," said Roush. "It’s a tri-coat application that introduces subtle hues of reflective flaking into the paint so the colors really dance and bounce as the Premier Edition adjusts to the changing sunlight angles. It’s a very intense paint process, but we’ve got a winning formula to make these Mustangs look great!"

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Ferrari SA Aperta by Novitec Rosso 2011

Then the limited edition Ferrari SA Aperta was introduced at the Paris Motor Show last year, it was announced that the model will be limited to only 80 units.

That, of course, hasn’t stopped Novitec Rosso from rolling up their sleeves and building a comprehensive tuning program for the drop-top version of the 599 supercar.

Before we get down to the heart of the program, Novitec Rosso installed a new set of sport springs, a stainless steel high-performance exhaust system, and a new set of 21" or 22" lightweight forged wheels.

Then there’s the engine upgrade, which, to a word, is just completely mind-blowing. The "standard" Ferrari SA Aperta is powered by a V12 engine that produces a mighty 670 horsepower and mated to a F1 Superfast six-speed transmission. Novitec took that number and added a twin-supercharger to push the output to a staggering 888 horsepower at 8,400 rpm and 635 lb/ft of torque at 6,600 rpm. The new numbers have taken the SA Aperta’s performance figures with a 0-62 mph acceleration time of just 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 240 mph.

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Lotus Evora R2R by Galpin Auto Sports 2012

We reckon Galpin Auto Sports needed a break from all those customized Ford vehicles they’re bringing to the 2011 SEMA Auto Show so they turned their attention towards a few sports cars from across the pond. One of these vehicles is a 2012 Lotus Evora, which GAS took the challenge of reinventing from a road-going sports car into a fully-dressed track-spec race car.

The result is the Evora R2R, a car that features plenty of aerodynamic upgrades, including a new front splitter, a new rear wing, new side skirts made from aluminum, black racing decals, racing seats dressed in fine Alcantara, and a new set of 19" (front) and 20" (rear) flat-back racing wheels.

To uphold its new race car identity, Galpin Auto Sports also added a new Flowmaster exhaust system, clearing way for the sports car’s 3.5-liter V6 engine to receive an increased output of 300 horsepower, up from the 280-horsepower output of the standard road-going roadster.

All told, Galpin Auto Sports accomplished what it always seems to do best. Impressive modifications all around are nothing new to these guys and they proved that yet again with the Lotus Evora R2R.

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Mazda2 by 3dCarbon 2011

The Mazda Turbo2 won’t be the only green Mazda getting some attention at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show. 3D Carbon has arrived with its own Mazda2 tuning package to share the spotlight. Painted in a very cool Spirited Green Metallic paint, the 3dCarbon Mazda2 is highlighted with a vinyl graphic design courtesy of Sticky Fingers Design and darkly tinted side and rear windows.

The colorful additions to the Mazda2 are joined by a body kit manufactured in a high-pressure polyurethane injection molding. The body kit includes a front air dam, side skirts, a rear lower diffuser, and a Mazda2 Touring-spec upper rear spoiler. The exterior kit is topped off with a new set of 18" FIVE:AD S6:F Gunmetal wheels wrapped with Yokohama S.drive 215/35R18 tires. The vehicle will also be equipped with an Eibach Springs Pro-Kit that improves handling as well as visual appeal.

Unfortunately, 3dCarbon has decided not to match up their exterior modifications with equally pleasing engine updates. In fact, they did aboslutely nothing to increase the vehicle’s output. It’s too bad, it would’ve been cool to see the same 2.3-liter Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) turbo engine found in the Turbo2 displayed underneath the hood of the Mazda2 by 3D Carbon.

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Ferrari rumored to be preparing a 599 Fernando Alonso Edition

There are many perks that come with being a World Champion Formula 1 driver for a team like Ferrari. There’s great money. There’s fame and adulation. And if recent rumors are true, there’s also a special edition Ferrari 599 with your name on it.

That’s the word on the street as it relates to a rumored lightweight Ferrari 599 Fernando Alonso Edition. Details behind this mysterious 599 are still being kept under wraps, but there have been rumblings saying that the model will be released in the beginning of 2012 and will be limited to only 40 units.

Since the Ferrari 599 is on its last legs, this rumored 599 Fernando Alonso Edition could very well be the swan song version of the 599. While we know little about what the plans are for this model, it does make for a great conversation material.

Rest assured, once we find out more information about this supercar, we’ll be sure to spread the word out to all of you.

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Aston Martin One-77 and Cadillac Ciel mark their North American debut with Best in Show

For automakers, there’s nothing better than showing up at the debut for one of your automobiles and getting a top notch award for your hard work. Aston Martin, Cadillac, and Ford will vouch for that since their One-77, Ciel Concept, and Focus Plug-In Electric Vehicle were all given best in show awards at the 41st annual South Florida International Auto Show (SFIAS) by the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA). SAMA had to choose between many of the participants in Miami, but in the end, these vehicles were chosen because of their styling and marketability.

The Aston Martin One-77 was awarded the “Star of the Show” trophy because the nine-member SAMA judging panel decided it was the single vehicle on display at the show that South Floridians will most want to see. Other vehicles considered for the award were the Audi A7, the Lexus GS sedan, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the Toyota Camry, the Range Rover Evoque, and the Hyundai Veloster.

The Cadillac Ciel Concept was given the Best Concept Vehicle in the Show because of its stunning beauty and because SAMA considered it a forerunner of future Cadillac styling. Meanwhile, the Ford Focus Plug-In Electric Vehicle took home the “Best Green Technology Vehicle” in the show because of the fact that it is Ford’s first non-emissions, plug-in electric car to be mass produced and marketed in the United States. Other vehicles considered were the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the Toyota Prius V, and various manufacturers’ hybrid and clean diesel technology vehicles.

The South Florida International Auto Show (SFIAS) runs until November 6, 2011, so stop by the Miami Beach Convention Center to check out these award-winning models.

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Mercedes SL-Class Strips Down and Shows off its New Grill

Mercedes just finished up with the new generation of its SLK-Class, but recent spy shots of the Mercedes SL-Class show the company hasn’t wasted time preparing its next model. With a history dating back to 1954, the SL-Class is probably one of the more impressive Mercedes models, and its new generation will make it even better.

The SL-Class was caught testing yet again, this time wearing less camouflage than ever. Now we can see the more upright grille the company had to use due to European rules regarding pedestrian protection and the new exterior color that fits this sporty car perfectly. What we don’t understand are those hideously ugly rims Mercedes decided to use for the prototype. Hopefully, Mercedes will nix those for the final product.

For the interior, we expect to see many elements from the SLS AMG with plenty of leather and aluminum. Power will come from a wide range of power plants, starting with a 3.5 liter V6, going to a 4.6 liter bi-turbo V8, and ending with the wild AMG version sporting a 536bhp twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8.

The new 2013 Mercedes SL-Class will go on sale in the third quarter of 2012.

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2012 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE Concept

The Chevrolet Camaro is back at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show and just like last year, expect to see plenty of Bumblebee in all different kinds of iterations.

One of the most anticipated versions of the Camaro is the 1LE Concept, a modern-day take on the legendary 1LE option code designation that Camaro fans the world over have come to love. It’s only a concept - major bummer! - but it does combine the best of both worlds from the SS and the ZL1 to offer a true race-ready program.

“The Camaro 1LE concept is all about the track,” said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for the Camaro. “It’s an all-out race car package that pays tribute to that special option from the past.”

Dressed in a Victory Red finish with a flat black hood and hash mark extensions, the Camaro 1LE Concept is the picture of awesomeness. The car also carries a satin black splitter, rocker panels, a rear spoiler, a sport suspension system that features Magnetic Ride Control, a shock tower brace, dual exhaust outlets, and a set of 20" racing wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G tires with Brembo brakes.

Inside, the Camaro 1LE Concept was dressed in a black leather light stone stitching. It also has a graphite silver doors and instrument panel inserts, a ZL1 flat-bottom steering wheel and shifter, and a Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit.

There’s no telling what kind of powertrain it has, but rest assured, we’re frothing at the mouth just thinking about all the possibilities.

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Lightweight Mercedes E-Class in the books?

If reports are indeed accurate, then we might be living in a future that includes a lightweight Mercedes E-Class.

The news was first reported by German car magazine, Auto Bild, saying that Mercedes is in the process of building a new variant of the E-Class that will carry a sturdy yet lightweight structure comprising mostly of carbon fiber.

The use of carbon fiber on this lightweight E-Class will cut down the car’s weight by around 350 kg/772 lbs, thanks in large part to the carbon fiber’s 1300 kg/2,866 lbs weight.

On top of its drastic weight savings, the new E-Class will also carry a new styling language that will be strongly influenced by the new CLS-Class and on top of that, the expected use of carbon fiber on the mid-size luxury car will open the doors - literally speaking - to the possibility of the new car losing its B-pillars, or better yet, carrying gullwing doors.

As far as the engine of the car, Mercedes is looking at using either a hybrid or a hydrogen-fuel cell powertrain as it attempts to lower its fuel economy and emission levels across the board.

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Cadillac CTS-V Le Monstre by D3 Group 2011

The days when 1,000 horsepower cars were nothing more than myths and figments of our imagination are long gone. These days, they’re bringing thrown around like water balloons on a hot summer afternoon. Okay, it still doesn’t happen as often, but you get the point.

Over the past few days, we learned that two Cadillac CTS-V Coupes headed to the ultimate showcase of automotive excess, the SEMA Auto Show, will serve notice to the aftermarket industry that these bad boys are not be messed with. We already covered the V1000 Martin a few days ago so now it’s time for us to introduce the ’Le Monstre.’

As the work of the "D3 Group," the CTS-V Le Monstre takes its name from the 1950 Cadillac Coupe Series 61, a car that competed in the 24 Hours of LeMans way back when in the 50’s. Fast forward six decades later and the namesake will surely make its predecessor proud.

This Cadillac sports coupe was named ’Le Monstre’ for a reason, and that reason takes shape through a heavily modified 6.2-liter LSA V8 engine that was turned into 7.0-liter engine with matching upgraded internals. The result is a powertrain that packs a walloping 1,001 horsepower and 1,000 lb/ft of torque. Ay, caramba!

To allow the car to look and handle as well as it should given the significant spike in output, the D3 Group also gave the CTS-V Coupe a a stealthy Matte Black wrap courtesy of Wraptivo, a custom wide-body kit, an upgraded chassis and suspension system, and a new set of 20" wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes T1R UHP tires.

Talk about living up to your ’Le Monstre’ monicker.

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1965 Ford Mustang "Producer" by Ring Brothers

The Ring Brothers are staples of SEMA in large part to the many classic and restored Ford Mustangs they’ve shown over the past years. This year, the dynamic tuning company is back with a 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback called the "Producer".

Dressed in a BASF Glasurit 90 Line Waterborne Paint BASF paint finish, the "Producer" was restyled with a number of Ring Brothers’ own accessories, including the hood pins, the door handles, and the taillight bezels. The classic Mustang comes with a full steel chassis with tubular A-arms working as front suspension and Watts-link suspension on the rear.

Aesthetically, the "Producer" also makes use of a new, fully custom wide-body kit that comprises of a carbon fiber roof, a carbon fiber hood, extended rockers, a 4130 full roll cage, and a set of 18" (front) and 19" (rear) Forgeline 3-piece wheels wrapped in Michelin tires. Inside, the "Producer" is treated to a one-off dash with a custom interior, details of which have yet to be revealed.

The biggest deal about the ’Producer’, though, is what’s sleeping under its hood: a Keith Craft 351/427 stroker engine mated to a Tremec T56 six-speed transmission and capable of producing a metal-bending 740 horsepower.

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Chevrolet Camaro Synergy Series Convertible 2012

Chevrolet’s Camaro "Synergy Series" returns to the 2011 SEMA Auto Show with a different version: a Camaro Convertible. Continuing the special edition Camaro’s participation in SEMA, the Camaro Convertible Synergy Series is getting the best of the best of Camaro accessories.

This year’s model comes dressed to the party with a Silver Ice exterior color with complementing black Synergy stripes on the hood and matching decklid and “mail slot” Synergy gill decals and red line inserts. The car will also come with items from the Chevrolet Accessories program, including a new grille, a new red engine cover body-color ground effects, a Chevrolet-licensed suspension lowering kit from Pedders, and a set of 21" wheels with Red Brembo brake calipers.

Meanwhile, the interior of the Camaro Convertible Synergy Series has been outfitted with black leather and matching red accent stitching on the seats, center console, doors, steering wheel and shifter boot. There’s also a new lighting kit, new ebony floor mats with a “CAMARO” logo stitched in silver, a Hurst short-throw shifter, a Silver Ice instrument panel, an ’SS’ logo with red outline on the head restraints, and a new pedal kit from Chevrolet Accessories.

Just like last year’s Camaro Synergy Series, the 2012 Convertible version is just absolutely to die for. And the word is that Chevrolet will be listening to fan feedback at SEMA to gauge the interest on the car. Be sure to voice your opinions so we can see this one green-lighted for production!

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Scion iQ "Pit Boss Cartel" by Cartel 2011

Cartel has been a fixture in the auto scene for the better part of the last 15 years, so when you’re in the discussion of an aftermarket company that knows what it’s doing, they’re right up there at the top. That’s why it wasn’t all that surprising when Scion came looking for companies that can build a special edition iQ that would rock the SEMA Auto Show, they knew who to call.

To give the iQ a distinctly Cartel-ian look, Cartel went ahead and chopped off the roof and sealed the doors. In their place, the company added a one-piece welded rocker and side panels, as well as a custom glass front window and custom metal fabrication on both the exterior and interior panels. Cartel also fitted the car with an AccuAir Suspension and E-Level air management package included SNAPON toolbox drawers and tools molded into the car’s rear bumper before dressing it up with 18" (front) and 19" (rear) Lorenzo WL028 wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes 4 tires with Wilwood Dynapro brake calipers.

Meanwhile, the interior of the iQ was given a massive overhaul, one that carries the style and influence of Cartel. The seats were treated to a black carbon fiber and Orion Grey finish, as were the door panels, which incidentally carry some blasting speakers. There’s also an iPad in the front dash, a tire rack and roll cage, an Autonet Mobile WiFi, a 12V and 110V power charging station, and Scosche wiring and Interface modules.

The sound system comes courtesy of Alpine Electronics, which brought a full cavalcade of elements including two PDX 4-channel Power Density Digital Amplifies, a PDX Mno Power Density Digital Amplifier, two sets of Type-R 5.25" component two-way speakers, a Type-R 6.5" component two-way speakers, and a Type-R 10" Thin Subwoofer.

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Mazda MX-5 Spyder 2012

Generations of gearheads have come to fall in love with the Mazda MX-5 Miata for its combination of drop-dead good looks, punch-power performance capabilities, and overall affordable price. That’s why the model has been one of the most consistently popular lines in the industry for the better part of 20-something years.

At the 2011 SEMA Auto Show, Mazda is set to reveal the MX-5 Spyder, giving us even more reason to bat our eyelashes at the iconic Japanese roadster. Mazda opted to tease these photos without so much as giving any information about it so we’re left to our senses to see what kind of package the hot stuff sports car has.

Judging from the photo, it appears that the MX-5 Spyder was given an automotive diet of sorts. The lowered suspension, combined with the new set of larger Brembo brakes are both in the spirit of what a track-version MX-5 Miata could be packaged in. Add that to the sexy silver-and-red finish, a soft and skimpy top where the normal folding roof used to be, a low-lying spoiler, a bigger central intake, and cooling ducts for those front brakes and you have a car that’s ready to stretch its legs on a race tarmac real soon.

In terms of performance, your guess is as good as ours, but if it’s as impressive as the car’s overall look, then we’re about to be treated to a MX-5 that will undoubtedly leave some drool on the SEMA floor.

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