2019 SEMA Show Highlights: Ford’s Electric Mustang, Toyota Supra Overload, Dodge Challenger Drag And More

How many of you knew SEMA stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association? We didn't. But we know SEMA as this glamorous event that is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the USA. Every year, we get to see not just custom cars, but also crazy builds and hot-rods that push the limits of engineering and innovation. The 2019 SEMA show just concluded and although it was overloaded with A90 Supras, we got to see some epic builds. The scale of the event is so vast that if even if we actively tried to cover the builds, we wouldn't even scratch the surface. So, the more feasible thing to do is to bring you the top 5 cars that were showcased by car manufacturers including Ford, Toyota, Dodge, Honda and Hyundai. So, here we go: 

Ford Mustang Lithium Prototype

The Mustang-inspired SUV is right on track and ready for an unveil next week. But Ford has something else up its sleeve for EV fanatics. What you see here is the Mustang Lithium, which is an all-electric 'Stang. And before you get all worked up, you should know it punches out 900 ponies through a 6-speed stick shift! How on earth does it do that? And we haven't even mentioned the torque output of 1355Nm. Ford has collaborated with Webasto to create this EV muscle car that incorporates an 800-volt battery by Webasto. The gearbox, which gets billet internals to handle the absurd torque figures, is sourced from Getrag. Other equipment to help you stay on the road are the Super 8.8 differential and Forgeline wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber. It also gets 4 driving modes: Valet, Sport, Track and Beast. Yes, even Ford acknowledges it as a beast. Anyhow, even though a Mustang without a V8 is considered sacrilege, we dig this because it has three pedals, which is reassuring. But, unfortunately, it's a concept and highly unlikely to make it into production. Bummer.

Toyota Supra Overload

This year’s SEMA Show has been subject to an invasion from A90 Supras. When Toyota said that the new GR Supra will be a good base for tuning, we weren't expecting this. Turns out, Toyota also downplayed the output figures of the BMW-sourced inline-six motor. But what’s interesting is that the Japanese giant also showcased four versions of the Supra: Hyperboost Edition, Wasabi Edition, Heritage Edition and the Concept 3000GT.

The Hyperboost Edition is a custom build, which is tuned to produce in excess of 750PS. It features a carbon fibre widebody kit, 20-inch Lightspeed wheels with carbon-fiber rims, and KW V3 adjustable coilovers.

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The Wasabi Edition is finished in a rather strange but nice shade of green, which works on the Supra. Built by the Toyota Genuine Accessory Team, the sports car gains Öhlins Road & Track adjustable coilovers, Brembo 6-piston calipers, and a neat body kit. 

The Supra 3000GT meanwhile is a concept that harks back to the legendary MKIV Supra TRD 3000GT. The output figures remain similar to the stock but the 3000GT gets Tein Street Advance Z adjustable coilovers, 19-inch wheels, Toyo Proxes R888R tires and a custom exhaust from HKS.

Last but not the least, the Supra Heritage Edition is making us swoon because it is what the A90 Supra should’ve been from the beginning. The 3.0-litre inline-six has been tuned to produce a whisk over 500PS and it also gets custom intake, a three-inch exhaust, a Mission Performance ECU, TEIN adjustable coilovers, monoblock Brembo calipers and more. What makes it even more special are the rear wing, body kit, headlights and tail lamps that remind us of the legendary MKIV Supra that makes us go weak in the knees.

Dodge Challenger Drag Pak

Limited to just 50 units, this track-only version of the Challenger is propelled by a supercharged 354-cubic-inch HEMI® V-8 engine paired with a T400 three-speed transmission with a Kwik-Shift manual shifter. This drag-specific Challenger also comes standard with Wheelie bars and a parachute mount attached to the chassis. The body is clad in blue and red livery that is inspired by the original muscle car era of the 1970s. There is also a blue Mopar logo and red “dragpak” badging on the rear quarter panels. 

2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid -- Dream and DO Build

Honda celebrated 60 years in the States and brought a host of cars such as the 2019 Passport, Ridgeline pickup, Formula Drift Civic Si, a sweet-looking 1968 Honda S800 Coupe “Outlaw” sports car and the custom CR-Vs that you see here. Created by Jsportm, the CR-V DO is for the adventurous who prefer a balance between practicality and versatility. Additions include a 1.5-inch lift kit, side steps, and roof basket from Jsport, 17-inch KMC off-road wheels shod with Nitto Terra Grappler all-terrain tires, and a mountain bike fixed on the roof for the milk runs. The dream build more or less uses the same extras but features a decal, rear tire gate, clamshell-style rooftop tent, and a slide-out refrigerator. 

Hyundai Kona Ultimate Concept

This is not our  sober Kona Electric but an AWD Kona that was customised by Rockstar Garage. Rockstar has also created builds based on the Tucson and Santa Fe in the past. The SUV is finished in black with golden accents. It features 16-inch Motegi rally wheels clad in Thompson race-grooved rubber suspended on King suspension. Under the hood is a 1.6-liter turbocharged block, which now gains a Race Chip performance tuning, Magnaflow exhaust and K&N filters billet intake to boost the output. So, is this the Kona from our wildest dreams?