SEMA: Hyundai Teases Tricked Out 2011 Sonata Turbo, Says it's Inspired by Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche

Hoping to build some hype around the new 2011 Sonata 2.0-liter Turbo before it arrives in showrooms later this year, Hyundai has teamed up with RIDES and 0-60 magazines to trick out the 274-horsepower-strong saloon for the SEMA show, which will take place in Las Vegas this November.

The South Korean firm has no problem admitting that the car's tune-up is inspired by Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche models.

In particular, Hyundai says the SEMA Show Sonata's exterior modifications will be "modest and tasteful, using influences from the four-door Brabus Mercedes CLS Rocket sport coupe", adding that the interior design has been inspired by the Ferrari F430 "with strategically placed stitched leather throughout and carbon fiber trim accents." No word where Porsche fits in the tune.

Other upgrades will include 20-inch concave monobloc wheels, a matte pearl white paint and a slew of carbon fiber components including the roof, grill, interior trim, side mirrors and rear diffuser, plus turbo and intake enhancements, and a quad tip dual exhaust.

Expect more teaser shots to be released within the next few weeks.

Fox Marketing Working on Turbocharged Lexus IS Convertible for SEMA

We're still months away from the this year's SEMA show that will take place once again in Las Vegas in early November, but Fox Marketing decided to tease us by releasing a rendering of their upcoming project car that will be based upon the new Lexus IS Convertible. Details are still sketchy as the only thing we know about the car is that it will feature an IS-F style bodykit and a turbocharged engine. It remains to be seen if the tuner will opt to turbocharge one of the existing 2.5 or 3.5-liter V6 units, or if they'll go all the way fitting the hardtop cabrio with the IS-F's 5.0-liter V8.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

SEMA Show BatSmart Fortwo up for Sale on eBay

Forget about the Batmobile "Tumbler" depicted in Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Night" films; if the caped crusader were to be Cartman - The Coon politically correct in these eco-conscious times we live in, this should have been his choice of wheels: a crime fighting, blacked-out and bat-winged Smart Fortwo. Okay but seriously now, this Smart Fortwo mini-Batmobile that was built by Harley Motorsports with a little help from the creator of the 1966 Batmobile, George Barris, is up for grabs on eBay.

The one-off BatSmart that made its world premiere at last year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, is clearly inspired by the '66 Batmobile. Visual treats include the roof-mounted bat-wings, red-pin stripping and even a faux turbine and a parachute - just in case you overdo it and go over 60mph and want to come to a complete halt...

As we speak, the highest bid for the Bat Smart on eBay is US$16,100, however, that is below the seller's reserve price, so unless Harley Motorsports decides otherwise, it will sell for more. And no, as much as we would have liked, the Catwoman depicted in these photos is not included in the sale.

Via: RPMgo (formerly known as Auto Unleashed) , Link: eBay