ARK Hyundai Genesis Coupe

ARK Hyundai Genesis Coupe

ARK Hyundai Genesis Coupe

| Ark Performance Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Each November, automakers and tuners show the world the wild vehicles they've been working on at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas. This year, Hyundai has teamed up with Korean tuner ARK to create a supercharged version of its already-potent Genesis Coupe 3.8.
Hyundai teamed up with ARK Performance to create performance parts for the Genesis Coupe. To show off its latest equipment, ARK is preparing the Time Attack Genesis Coupe, which features most of ARK's latest equipment along with several other upgrades making it a true contender for the aftermarket dollar.
Starting with Hyundai's latest Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec, ARK outfitted the show car from the ground up. ARK bolted on its supercharger kit with plans to tune the V-6 closer to 450 horsepower from a stock figure of 306 -- a modest goal based on the equipment at hand. Engine internals were strengthened by replacing connecting rods, swapping piston rings, and replacing all four camshafts. An AEM engine management system handles the advanced engine tuning needed with such a complex setup, while cooling duties are handled by an improved intercooler, oil cooler, and radiator. A Clutchmaster Stage 4 kit was installed to ensure the extra power makes it to the rear wheels through the six-speed manual transmission.
The coupe now sits on a set of six-spoke Volk TE37 wheels, wrapped in Toyo rubber. Sitting behind the new rollers are a set of drilled rotors, gripped by a set of six-piston calipers up front. To get the car ready for track duty, almost every suspension part has been removed and replaced by a performance-oriented equivalent. A new coilover suspension is fitted to all four corners, while rigidity is handled by a new front strut brace and a pair of beefier anti-sway bars.
A complete six-point roll cage was fitted to the interior, along with new gauges, seats, harnesses, and steering wheel. Outside, nearly no body panel goes untouched; front and rear bumpers, side skirts, hood, fenders, and rear spoiler all were added or replaced. Details on the interior trim beyond what's evident from the sketch provided will likely be revealed when the model is unveiled at the show.
ARK and Hyundai are putting the final touches to the project that will debut in early November in Las Vegas. Come back for coverage of the official unveiling on November 2.

ARK Hyundai Genesis Coupe

ARK Hyundai Genesis Coupe

2011 USTCC Hyundai Genesis Coupe

2011 USTCC Hyundai Genesis Coupe

2011 USTCC Hyundai Genesis Coupe

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is just one of the vehicles in the Korean automaker's lineup helping to grow the brand. It's also headed to the hallowed realm of motorsport to compete in the U.S. Touring Car Championship next year, but not before debuting at the 2010 SEMA show.
The Genesis Coupe will get more than dolled up. It's being fitted with a host of performance parts in advance of its future on-track battles. Hyundai teamed with the experienced crew at Gogogear Racing for the project, which then proceeded to give the car an APR rear spoiler, ARK Performance body kit, and carbon-fiber hood, roof, and trunk.
Power-wise, the 3.8-liter V-6 is encouraged to inhale and exhale more freely through the use of an AEM air intake, a Magnaflow exhaust system, and ARK Performance headers. Oil starvation concerns are alleviated via the installation of a Moroso accumulator, Earl's fittings, lines, and oil cooler. A quick-engaging, lightweight Spec clutch will help racers manage the six-speed manual transmission and the V-6's 330 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque with composure.
Handling is paramount on the track and the USTCC Genesis is assisted by ARK Performance coil-over dampers, QA1 bearings, and StopTech brake calipers and rotors with Hawk racing brake pads. The coupe rides on Konig wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich R1 R-compounds, which are essentially DOT-approved slicks. Tire selection was critical since this Genesis Coupe is reportedly capable of pulling 1.4 g.
The interior gets the usual race-car treatment: gutted with a roll cage. Race seats and harnesses are sourced from Sparco, and RacePak provides the in-car data, including vehicle information and lap times. Daytona Yellow paint adorns the car's exterior and interior. The finished car will be at the SEMA show next month.

2011 USTCC Hyundai Genesis Coupe

2011 USTCC Hyundai Genesis Coupe

2011 RMR Hyundai Equus

2011 RMR Hyundai Equus

2011 RMR Hyundai Equus

2011 RMR Hyundai Equus

In his down time from racing in the Formula D championship and piloting wild cars up Pikes Peak, Rhys Millen runs a performance shop in Huntington Beach, California. While generally focusing its efforts on sports-derived vehicles, RMR recently began crafting a custom Equus for the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas.
2010 marks the third straight year RMR and Hyundai are working together to bring a customized vehicle to the SEMA show. In 2008 RMR built a Genesis coupe and worked its magic inside and out. Stepping up its game, in 2009 RMR started with a similar Genesis coupe, but stripped its engine and installed the same Tau 4.6-liter V-8 as found in the Genesis sedan and upcoming Equus sedan. With go-fast parts, the V-8 produced somewhere near 500 horsepower. Generally using SEMA to launch its latest and greatest, Hyundai gave RMR a 2011 Equus to customize for the show.
Millen's work on the Equus is subtle and tasteful. RMR's line of high-end carbon fiber Signature Edition parts include the front chin spoiler, rear deck lid spoiler, and side mirrors. A two-tone paint scheme has the top half of the car sprayed to look like carbon fiber, while the bottom is Red Bull blue. A set of gunmetal multi-spoke 21-inch HRE wheels finish off the exterior's mild appearance upgrades.
2011 Hyundai Equus Front Three Quarter
 From the factory the Equus comes equipped with plenty of standard niceties. RMR replaced the leather seating surfaces on the front seats with ostrich hides with suede inserts. The only other remaining interior differences from a stock Equus are the embroidered headrests and floor mats.
In stock form, the 4.6-liter V-8 produces 385 horsepower, but being a performance shop, RMR had to tinker with the engine just a little. The addition of a new air intake and stainless exhaust tack on another 30 horsepower, bringing the Equus' output to 415 horsepower. A set of 14-inch brakes bring the 4500-pound beast to a halt.
Hyundai's 2011 RMR Equus is scheduled to roll onto the SEMA show floor next month in Las Vegas.

2011 RMR Hyundai Equus

 2011 RMR Hyundai Equus

2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo

2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo

2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo

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2011 Hyunda Sonata Turbo Sema Render Rear Three Quarters
Joining Hyundai's ARK Performance Genesis Coupe time attack car at this year's SEMA Show will be a pearl white 2011 Sonata Turbo built with luxury and style in mind. Unfortunately, this is the only teaser image we received from Hyundai.
Fabricators say that Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and Porsche sports cars inspired their design direction. Its aggressive exterior lines, for example, take much from the Brabus CLS Rocket. The car rides on 20-inch one-piece wheels as well, much like the Rocket.
Inside, "strategically placed stitched leather" like that of the Ferrari F430 wraps nearly every interior surface. Carbon fiber accents add more sportiness to the Korean car's repertoire.
Under the hood, engineers added an upgraded turbo, exhaust, and intake systems. No word on power output, but it should be considerably more than the stock 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo's 274 horsepower.
Check back here for more 2010 SEMA Show coverage direct from the Las Vegas Convention Center.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo

2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo

2011 Wraptivo Honda CR-Z Type F Concept

2011 Wraptivo Honda CR-Z Type F Concept

2011 Wraptivo Honda CR-Z Type F Concept

Tuners have already begun to work on Honda's new CR-Z sports hybrid, giving it the added power to go along with its chassis. Wraptivo is working with several aftermarket tuners, including HKS, to create the Type F Concept, which will debut at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show.
The Type F Concept is still in the early stages of development, but is sure to include several unique exterior upgrades as well as powertrain upgrades. The concept will feature a unique Wraptivo matte and carbon black exterior vinyl wrap with gloss black accents. The vinyl wrap on the concept is meant to match the CR-Z's sporty personality and showcase Wraptivo's vinyl wrapping options.
In addition to a unique exterior color, Wraptivo is incorporating aero accessories from Honda's aftermarket parts bin to give the CR-Z a "special uniqueness."
Wraptivo is currently working with several different aftermarket tuners to develop a performance upgrade kit, and is collaborating with tuner HKS, which offers a supercharger kit to make the CR-Z sound like a Formula car. Other performance enhancements will include an upgraded suspension, engine control unit remap, and exhaust modifications. Further modifications will be announced at a later date.
No SEMA concept is complete without a modified interior. As such, the Type F concept receives new Recaro sports seats, a new shifter knob, and Alcantara inserts on the door panels.
The picture shown above is an illustration of what the concept may look like when it's unveiled at the 2010 SEMA show, which starts November 2

2011 Wraptivo Honda CR-Z Type F Concept.

2011 Wraptivo Honda CR-Z Type F Concept

Ford Fiestas

Ford Fiestas

Ford Fiestas

Ford offers various personalization programs for some of its vehicles including its new, 2011 Fiesta. To raise awareness about the Fiesta and its customization program, Ford is putting eight customized hatches on the center stage at its display at the Specialty Equipment Market Association this year.
"It really shows how Fiesta can be accessorized and how this canvas can be altered to meet many different customer wants and desires," Sam De La Garza, Fiesta brand manager, said. "SEMA represents a special opportunity, because we can show off unique designs that other companies have created. It's not just Ford coming to the table. It's other companies interpreting what Fiesta is, and bringing their own style to the Fiesta launch."
Of the eight Fiestas headed to SEMA, only two are customized by Ford itself, revealing the aftermarket's adoration for the small car. One of Ford's customized Fiestas draws inspiration from its World Rally Championship sibling, featured in Ken Block's Gymkhana 3. The car is done by Ford Racing Performance Parts, and as such, features more than a body kit and paint job -- both of which it has. Ford Racing made some significant changes under the Fiesta's hood, inserting a 2.3-liter version of Ford's turbocharged, EcoBoost four-cylinder where the normal 1.6-liter four should be. This gives the Fiesta a whopping 350 horsepower -- an increase of 230 horsepower over the standard car, but still 300 horsepower shy of Block's Fiesta.
2011 Ford Fiesta By H R Springs
In addition to the engine swap, Ford installed a short-throw shifter, new exhaust, and 17-inch, cast-aluminum wheels -- all of which can be order from Ford Racing Performance Parts. Other changes include Brembo brakes and Ohlins dual-flow dampers for better stopping power and handling.
Ford's second car is done by its personalization program and includes more modest additions in line with the other Fiestas. Apart from the Steeda Auutosports Fiesta, which includes a retuned and lowered sport suspension, the remaining Fiestas consist of body kits, special paint jobs, and unique interior graphics. The other tuned Fiestas come from Universal Technical Institute, 3dCarbon, L&G Enterprises, H&R Springs, Steeda Autosports, and FS Werks. Look for all eight Fiestas to take center stage at Ford's stand this year when the SEMA show opens on November 2.

 Ford Fiestas

Ford Fiestas

Ford Fiestas

2012 Ford Taurus Interceptor Stealth Concept

2012 Ford Taurus Interceptor Stealth Concept

2012 Ford Taurus Interceptor Stealth Concept

We first laid eyes on the Taurus-based 2012 Ford Police Interceptor back in March, but the automaker is apparently playing with ways the car could potentially fly under the radar. The new Police Interceptor Stealth concept, unveiled at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, mixes the appearance of a sport sedan with the specialized equipment of a police cruiser.
According to Ford designer Melvin Betancourt, the SEMA show car draws the majority of its inspiration from the legendary Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird. Although we doubt the Taurus-based cop car was fitted with ramjet engines and is capable of reaching supersonic speeds at the fringes of our atmosphere, the Interceptor Stealth concept does sport a similar look: black paint, black wheels, black grille inserts, and deep-tinted window glass all around.
2012 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor Stealth Concept Side View
 Sounds neat, but seeing as the Stealth was destined for SEMA, Betancourt's team decided to add a little pizzazz. The Interceptor's suspension was lowered by one inch, while stock Taurus taillight assemblies have been smoked to blend in with the paint job. The stock 18-inch steel wheels have been replaced with giant 22-inch rims, which feature staggered rim sections and chrome accents, not entirely unlike wheels offered on the outgoing Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.
"The center of the wheel is glossy black, and the rim is chrome," Betancourt said. "So we have that racy, hot rod look, but at the same time we're building a sinister, stealthy, 'Don't mess with me' feeling."
2012 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor Stealth Concept Side View
The stealth theme continues within the Interceptor itself. Along with the black seating, headliner, and pillar trim, Police-spec radios and computers -- equipment Ford worked so hard to integrate into its new Interceptor -- have been hidden within a modified Taurus center console. Additionally, the Stealth concept also receives a locking gun compartment within the glove box.
Although we enjoy the notion of a slammed, bad-to-the-bone Taurus SHO, we'd be a little intimidated to see an Interceptor Stealth popping up in our rearview mirror. Ford hasn't officially announced any undercover versions of the production Police Interceptor, but it wouldn't take much -- a Taurus grille and a SHO emblem, perhaps? -- to make the ultimate unmarked patrol car.

 2012 Ford Taurus Interceptor Stealth Concept

2012 Ford Taurus Interceptor Stealth Concept

2012 Ford Taurus Interceptor Stealth Concept