At SEMA, anything is possible. Manufacturers have been known to get pretty wacky at the aftermarket parts show where over-the-top tends to be just another day in the life, so in reality we probably should have seen this coming. But still…

We wouldn’t call it a proper debut in the sense that this isn’t a production model, but regardless this ‘34 Ford 3-Window coupe will be the launching point for the first rear-wheel drive EcoBoost setup. Built in cooperation with Experi-metal, in this guise the 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 has been tuned to churn out 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. And we like the sound of that.

So when can we expect a rear-wheel drive EcoBoost drivetrain in a production vehicle? Late next year, when Ford will equip the F-150 with 3.5-liter EcoBoost mill, albeit probably with less power than this one. After that, the Aussies take their turn, cramming a 2.0-liter turbo into the supercool Falcon sedan that’s not sold in North America. Sounds good, but all things considered we’d hate to see the Aussie V-8 Supercars go the EcoBoost route in lieu of that sledgehammer of an exhaust note.

[Source: Ford]

Ok, so the Bentley Continental GT pictured above might be taking things a bit too far. It’s called the ASI Tetsu GTR, and it’s got 800 (!) horsepower. And that’s the essence of SEMA right there – blatant, excessive, over-the-top customization. Probably why the Vegas is the chosen venue.

We’d be lying if we told you anything in the gallery below was built with practicality or necessity in mind, but then again, that’s the whole point. Enjoy.

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Always apt to fettle with a new Mercedes-Benz product, BRABUS brought along a still-off-the-market GLK to the 2008 SEMA Show. They call it the BRABUS Widestar. Aside from the awesome rims, body kit and slick (though rather Audi-esque) LED daytime running lights, the Brabus GLK gets a bump in power too. With an extra 48 horsepower from the diesel unit, this version of Benz’s upcoming baby-ute can sprint from 0-60 in 6.9 seconds and go on to 142 mph, all with an eerily quiet diesel soundtrack.

That all pales in comparison to the interior though. Give it a look in the gallery below. Looks mighty comfy.

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Suspend all thoughts of Chrysler’s potential demise for a moment to appreciate an awesomeness that will most likely never happen: the 2009 Viper-powered Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept. We saw it earlier last month for the first time, but here’s a reminder of the only information you really need to know:

8.4-liter V10 engine
600 horsepower
560 lb-ft of torque

Other performance enhancements include a re-tuned suspension with Bilstein mono-tube shocks, 20 percent stiffer spring rates, Brembo calipers and a carbon-fiber hood and deck lid. Sigh, what a tease.

Appealing to drift wannabes kings, the company also unveiled the 2009 Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger at SEMA. With more carbon-fiber than the new Boeing 787, the Challenger is super lightweight and features a modded suspension to accommodate performance driving. Puting the SRT10 Concept to shame, this stunner pumps out 850 horsepower and 849 lb-ft of torque. Take a look at it and other Mopar-tuned cars below.

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They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but this is more like a thousand slaps in the face. We’re all for individuality, but seriously, why?

You know how DriverSide is all about helping you get the most out of your vehicle? Well no matter how efficient you are, try beating these guys. Back in 2003, they took four Land Rovers 44,000 miles for Drive Around the World, a philanthropic driving adventure company of sorts. After 16 months, they made it, all without changing their K&N air filters.

We got a chance to spend some time with Nick Baggerly, the group’s Executive Director and Expedition Leader yesterday at the 2008 SEMA Show, where he updated us on his new project. Using the treaded behemoth pictured above (sans TV monitors strapped to the windows, of course), he’ll be crossing Greenland in preparation for the real challenge – driving to the south pole. Best of all, they’re doing it with alternative fuels. It appears the guy likes a challenge.

Awesome stuff.

They call it a “Hot Rod Hybrid” and, with 440 horsepower, we think that’s a pretty accurate description of this Nissan Altima Hybrid. Compared to the one available on the market right now, this Altima has a few more tricks up its hypothetical sleeve. It runs on battery power delivered from a massive, carbon fiber Braille battery that lasts roughly 2-3 times longer than the current hybrid batteries and holds a factory charge for six months before it needs recharging.

When not running on only battery, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine burns E85 fuel – giving it an even smaller carbon footprint. This is one of the few eco-tuned cars on show at SEMA and definitely the best looking one. See below for more pictures, including sneaky shots of the spec sheet (with some unverified data, of course). And you might notice the solar cells slapped onto the roof. We have no idea how much recharging ability they’d have, but if you’re going to go green you might as well go all the way.

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The xD and xB designs are always toeing the ugly line. With distinct body styles, these Scions really appeal to consumers who think outside of the box, so to speak. But leave it to SEMA to bring out the worst in them. Behold, with your own eyes, what too much time, too much money, and not enough taste can do to a vehicle.

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Honda announced today at SEMA that their Honda Fit will now be even more customizable. The automaker has teamed with Mugan to deliver a new line of accessories for their 2009 Fit. Covering everything from 16-inch alloys to sports pedals for the MT, Mugan might have well thrown in a kitchen sink as well. These will be available a la carte from the manufacturer or as a kit from dealers.

They also showed off their Baja 1000 Ridgeline truck. It’s the newest Baja entrant for Honda, and a good thing too considering the last iteration, their “tester”, failed to cross the finish line within the allotted time limit. We’ll see what this one’s capable of come November 20th at the Baja.

And not to be outdone by a truck, the Civic’s Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Concept was on display too. Showing just how on top of current affairs this company is, Honda has improved this Civic’s aerodynamics, used lighter components – like the wheels and exhaust system – and also upgraded the suspension. All to achieve better fuel economy without sacrificing performance. We’ve heard the schpiel before – will they be able to deliver on it?

*Pictures coming soon.

In a bit of a departure from his normal daily routine of yelling “That’s straight CUSTOM!” at the top of his lungs, Funkmaster Flex made an appearance at Ford’s SEMA presser to talk about, most predictably, car customization.

It didn’t stop there, though. Soon after Funkmaster began his PR rant, Nelly found the time to make his way out of the recording studio and onto the Ford podium to promote the Flex.

The Flex you see above was designed by Nelly himself – crazy roof, huge rims, front splitter and all. He said he liked the car so much he asked Ford to give him one, but they apparently didn’t play ball. You’d think he’d be able to buy one himself, what with releasing a new album every two weeks and all.

It may be the best looking Borrego we’ve seen – and it sports 22-inch wheels, black-out tinted windows, custom chrome covering everything from the grille to the door handles. Not to forget the interior, which got rid of the standard seat coverings to make way for leather upholstery in alligator skin guise.

Also on display were the SEMA Rio5 Concept and KOUP Concept cars. We’ve seen the Rio5 in all its glory before, but this one had a slightly more menacing look thanks to a body kit, mesh front grille, blackened headlamps, and larger wheels and tires.

The KOUP Concept, which was unveiled at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, features a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that produces 290 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The SEMA version also had carbon fiber wheels. Kinda really awesome.

With no new unveils at SEMA this year, Suzuki focused on their growth as a brand, concept cars and future vehicle debuts. As some of you may know, the automaker ranks 12 in global brand sales and hopes to expand the company’s lineup in the next few years. Among the new vehicles they’re working on is the Suzuki Swift, a small, reasonably-priced four-door – a car they’d use to cash in on our continuing economic slow-down.

We got another glimpse of the badass Equator Quad Concept finished in matte green paint. However good the production truck looks, a flat paint makes almost every vehicle look cooler. The Equator is no exception.

Suzuki also let us gaze longingly at the SX4T Turbo Concept, a turbocharged version of the SX4 crossover. While they won’t pinpoint exactly how much horsepower the thing will have once they’ve finished with it, just know that it will produce significantly more than the 143 hp it delivers now. The two-toned paint job and carbon fiber hood seal the deal for this good looking Suzuki.

Ford kicked off today’s SEMA press conference by unveiling its F-150 SVT Raptor, but for us the off-road brute is literally yesterday’s news. Still, one new performance product wasn’t enough for FoMoCo. They hit us with a big surprise this morning by unveiling this, the FR500CJ Cobra Jet – a turnkey drag car.

First and foremost, it’s loud. And indoors, it’s especially loud. The car uses a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8, and is completely NHRA ready. With its huge rear drag tires, it’s capable of sprinting through the quarter-mile in the 10-second range.

Similar to the FR500 race car, the CJ can be purchased at any Ford dealer that offers Ford Racing products. If you want to do some serious drag racing, this is a good place to start.