At the 2008 SEMA show we saw the release of Mr Norm’s Super Challenger and Super Cuda. These two modern muscle cars are now in full production at Mr Norm’s facility in Florida, USA. Since SEMA, the cars have been doing the rounds at various motor shows and events such as the Detroit Autorama and the San Diego Automobile Show.

Although the two cars are based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 they have different characters. The Super Challenger is inspired by the 1971 Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger Super Fuel Funny Car and the Super Cuda gets its inspiration from the 1970 Cuda.

The Super Challenger makes do with 650hp while the Super Cuda takes 900hp. Both 6.1-litre HEMI V8s are supercharged. The Super Cuda has orange paintwork with matte black stripes.

Fitted with the base Super Challenger are a number of features like body side graphic with logo, an embroidered logo on seat backs and “Barracuda” seat inserts, and Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger badge on the rear spoiler. The total base package comes to US$3,599. For extra cash you can get parts like Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger front spoiler paintable overlay at US$399.00, a front spoiler, rear spoiler and lower rear fascia with carbon fiber appliqué for US$1,999.00 and Corsa Cat Back dual exhaust system going for US$1,695.00.

The suspension can be lowered by 1.5 inches for US$999,99 (labour is US$280) and there is a choice of 20-inch or 22-inch wheels ranging from US$3,299 a set of four. Tyres will set buyers back at least US$547.40 for a set of 245/45ZR20 Pirelli Scorpion Zero Assimetricos.

The Toyota and Lexus modifying veterans at Five Axis have put together a seriously hot-rodded Lexus GS 460 for the SEMA show. Following up last year’s IS F concept, the Troy Sumitomo-designed super sedan was revealed on Tuesday. As the teaser illustrations hinted, the Five Axis GS 460 features a widebody kit housing massive 20-inch offset wheels, 8.5 inches up front and 10.5 at the rear. Custom-formatted PPG paint contrasts with the blackout wheel trim.

That striking bodywork is wrapped around a lowered and stiffened suspension, and Five Axis has added a big-brake kit and custom fabricated exhaust as well.

The GS 460 shares display floor space with last year’s IS F concept, which has returned with more power, as well as a range of F-branded Lexus modification products.

GM needs to seriously add some romance to its lineup if it is going to get out of the dire position it is in right now in the passenger car market. The Pontiac range is a good place to start and here GM has sexied up a few Pontiac models and delivered them as concept cars to SEMA, taking place in Las Vegas tomorrow.

The G8 GXP concept will feature a GM Performance Parts crate engine fetchingly named the LSX454 – a 7.4 liter engine with 638 hp and 813 Nm (600 lb-ft) of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. This compares to the G8 GXP’s factory-issue 6.2 liter V8 with 415 hp and 562 Nm (415 lb-ft) of cranking power borrowed from the Corvette.

The G8 ST concept is the El Camino of 2008. If 70s retro is your thing, then you might enjoy this low-rider, transport bedded version of the G8 ST concept. You can check out the press release for details but there is nothing remarkable except for the optics which you can see in the photo.

Third comes the Solstice GXP Coupe concept, with the same 2.0 liter, 260 hp Ecotec engine found in the factory model which this SEMA version here boosts to 290 hp with the addition of an air-intake performance kit. Here GM engages in some tuner styling worthy of seeing the streets.

But, unfortunately, none of these concepts are slated for production, which leads one to deduce that this is pure eye-candy marketing on the part of GM and that it has no intention of delivering anything unique to consumers or true supercars, in the form of this G8 GXP concept, capable of competing with European models.

Subaru has revealed today the Mountain Rescue Forester Concept vehicle which makes its debut for the SEMA show next week in Las Vegas.

Since 1974 Subaru has been a well known brand to skiers and ski communities thanks to the all-weather traction advantages of 4-wheel-drive. As a result, Subaru is honoring the men and women of Ski Patrol teams who risk their lives to rescue skiers and snowboarders by presenting the Mountain Rescue Forester Concept, the ultimate first responder vehicle equipped with trail-driving capability and essential rescue gear.

Co-developed with Detroit-based Specialized Vehicles the Mountain Rescue Forester Concept is based on the Forester 2.5XT turbo crossover and features 14 inches of ground clearance (8.9 in. standard) via an Air Lift custom adjustable ride height air suspension system. Increased traction is provided by Yokohama Geolandar MTS 30 x 9.5-in. tires on custom-reversed 15-in. Subaru steel wheels.

Other features include custom front and rear skid plates, grille guard, fender flares, lower door cladding, a rear gate guard and tail light guards, LED emergency lighting package, 9500-lb. winch, remote rear door openers and external quick-access utility compartments, Yakima ski carriers and rescue toboggan.

Ford is going heavy-duty at SEMA with four project F-150 trucks on standby to wow anyone with any inkling towards off-road excursions or on-site projects. These come with a twist though, as does everything at SEMA.

The four tuners who turned these tough boys into Cinderellas are DEWALT, X’Treme Toyz, Street Scene Equipment and Hi-Pa Drive. DEWALT attempted to load an entire Home Depot inside their creation by cramping features that turn the F-150 into a mobile tool centre. It features things like Tool Link, a solution that allows owners to see which tools are loaded in the truck and if they are the correct ones. Also a built-in charger for battery-powered tools is integrated.

X’Treme Toyz chose to call their outcome the Fahrenheit F-150° which works well with the “hot flame” exterior graphics theme. Its makers say the big toy carries a 9,000lb winch located behind the front license plate and rear, a bike rack, and sliding cargo drawer.

Street Scene Equipment chose to go a little less “wow” by giving their F-150 Lariat Supercrew limited style – as far as SEMA goes – while keeping F-150’s ruggedness and tough attitude. Said attitude is only outside though because Street Scene has taken care of interior comfort too. The Ford F-150 by Street Scene promises to be a true F-150 for all reasons and seasons.

For Hi-Pa Drive, the F-150 represented an opportunity of a different kind, one that spelled G.R.E.E.N. Hi-Pa Drive F-150 is an eco-driven fully-electric mammoth worth more than 600 hp from the four electric in-wheel motors. This one’s like the green giant.

Here we have a transformed people mover, now turned into people flyer by Street Image. They’ve done this in the interests of high-performance fans, but primarily for the lucky sods arriving at SEMA 2008 this November. You’ll be able to spot it by its special kit that includes a rear hatch spoiler, a custom grille, and integrated hood scoop.

SportLux Venza rides on high Chrome Cognac No 20 wheels with these measurements: front 255/30ZR24 and rear 275/30ZR24. Not your average people carrier, but then again this ain’t exactly your average show, SEMA, is it? To help it persuade this rubber to move expeditiously a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger is employed, to which effect we’ll have to wait until SEMA to know. Suffice to say things will be moved at a much quicker pace than before.

What’s SEMA with no ICE? True to form Street Image has installed state-of-the-art ICE based on Eclipse with in-dash 7-inch TFT display, dual DVD multi-source receiver, satellite navigation, satellite radio receiver, headrest-mounted monitors and a custom false floor subwoofer enclosure.

The sneak peeks at the show cars for SEMA continue to come our way. Toyota has released details of its Venza Active Sports Versatility (AS V), an active-sport oriented version of the upcoming Venza. Modified by Five Axis, the Venza AS V is set up to haul winter sports gear and other expensive toys.

If the styling of the all-new Venza was considered too bland and forgettable, the AS V by Five Axis should help it to stick in your head. New front and rear bumpers with aggressive fender flares and mirrors in a contrasting color bring out the Venza’s angular lines and give it a more robust appearance. Projector-style driving lights add a touch of sporty aftermarket flair. The white and bronze paint color reflects the winter-sport theme. Larger and wider 20×10.5-inch Five Axis wheels and a big-brake package from TRD are installed.

Magna Car Top Systems designed a rooftop ski and snowboard carrier, dubbed the Integrated Cargo Carrier. This stowaway rack can be used to haul bicycles and large warm-weather sports gear as well. In the cargo area there’s a purpose-built sports gear rack with a hideaway design for carrying smaller items, with protected space for messy or wet items to keep the interior pristine. At SEMA, the Venza AS V will be displayed with a snowmobile-carrying trailer hooked up, to highlight its hauling ability.

The Venza AS V will be on display at the SEMA show in Las Vegas from November 4-7.

Bentley may have been on a fast rise up the sales scales in the past four years or so, due to new vibrant models like the Continental GT, but even they would probably not approve of this TETSU GTR from ASI. Which is probably the exact point of it all; taking something as regal as a Bentley GT and turning it into an art piece that conformists couldn’t point at with a laptop mouse.

Already sweating buckets of turbo power as a normal manufacturer car, the GT that ASI made is one of some considerable strength, mostly found from enlarged turbo turbines, ECU tuning, a more efficient exhaust system and improved cooling methods. Because of these changes the TETSU GTR is able to allow for a comprehensive 800 bhp to escape onto the tarmac.

SEMA is of course more than just a power fest, it’s also about eye candy. So the GTR has received special attention from artist Tetsuei Nakamura whose works include luxury hotels. The car seats and its floor mats are fashioned in the Nishijin weaving legacy, the exterior finished in two-tone carbon fiber, Fujiyama matte white colour scheme.

LED lights give the appearance of the modern-day sports car fad, with that 2070mm-wide body making the car look like it’s squatting, waiting to pounce. The 22-inch black forged wheels finish this look.

Dodge’s Mopar performance division is ready to dress up your Ram pickup, and to help illustrate this fact, it will be showing a Mopar Underground-modified Ram Sport concept truck at the SEMA show this year. Painted a deep blackberry hue, the Ram Sport with Mopar’s Street package features a lowered and leveled body over 22-inch Alcoa forged wheels and a dual exhaust that lets the 390-horsepower HEMI V8 snarl. It’s also got a full body kit, including sill extensions, a dual-snorkel hood and a chin spoiler. Inside, Mopar ambient lighting, suede and leather seats and a DVD headrest system with kicker-audio are used to dress up the cabin. Steering wheel and door pulls have been trimmed to match the seats. Mopar didn’t neglect the bed, either; underneath the hard tonneau cover are more ambient lighting, a bed rug and LED accent lights under the rails. Hot stuff, indeed.

All of the parts featured on the Mopar Street Package concept truck are available from Mopar.

Snake eyes, low chin, 22-inch running gear. This is the SEMA-bound Dodge Challenger Blacktop, a Mopar Underground creation which began its life in the form of a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T. The guys did what they are known for; made a few changes here and there. These include the custom-made spoilers and front bow which gives it a ‘chin’ look. An interesting “black on black” stripe has given the car its nickname, Blacktop.

Then those massive 22-inch wheels that should take away a lot of the cornering performance potential, but give the car a nice wide stance for great straight line stability. Rolling on these are Dunlop tires measuring 265/35 R22 front and 305/30 R22 rear. We don’t know what this Blacktop Challenger can do yet but Mopar components are fitted to enhance the HEMI V8, bits like cat back dual-exhaust and cold air intake.

At SEMA just look for the black, striped Dodge Challenger with a number of red enhancements, including a red leather interior.