Car FYI

The INVADR, one of three custom masterpieces Ringbrothers debuted at the 2024 SEMA Show (Photo Credit: Ringbrothers LLC) Las Vegas is depended upon for creating a destination for observing grand spectacles. With the annual SEMA Show, a wide assortment of companies related to the auto industry has the opportunity to outshine the bright lights of the city. A centerpiece for the 2024 edition automotive showcase was a fleet of custom cars prepared by both aftermarket part companies and even the automakers themselves.  Ringbrothers, a producer and retailer of high quality vehicle accessories , have been a reliable supplier of some stunning show cars in previous SEMA Shows. Past events have included a 1,360-horsepower AMC Javelin AMX made possible through a collaboration with antifreeze company Prestone and a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II that was a recipient of a General Motors LT4 V8 engine. For the 2024 SEMA Show, the Ringbrothers introduced the automotive performance world to the I...

Photo Credit: General Motors Every automaker wants to amass a distinct personality with their vehicles. Often involving a flagship or halo car that defines assembles the full extent of a brand's design and engineering. Other times, the process of establishing a strong brand impression is extended across the broader lineup of vehicles. With Chevrolet in the 2000s, the SS performance moniker was used in an expansive manner across to convey the best of the bow tie badge. Some analysts would argue the SS branding was was perhaps used too liberally, the result did end up in multiple range-topping models exhibiting ample sport attitude to otherwise humdrum products such as the Chevrolet Cobalt. Photo Credit: General Motors Revealed at the 2015 SEMA Show, Chevrolet unveiled a new mindset claiming to allow buyers to define elements of their vehicle's personality with customized accessories. Classified by Chevy as the Redline special edition, black nameplates outlined with...

Photo Credit: Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. During the early 1990s, the family vehicle market was under the spell of the spacious minivans. Providing enough room for parents, kids, pets and provisions for a weekend, minivans often suffered from a lack of excitement due to underpowered engines as well as bland handling. Drivers demanding a more spirited family hauler were accommodated with a growing crop of sport utility vehicles as well as crossover vehicles in the past 20 years. While the minivan market lost its lustre to some automotive players, Toyota’s Sienna is currently accepted as a gold standard for hauling the typical North American family. Propelled by a 266-horsepower V-6 engine and available with all-wheel drive, the Sienna proves to be a humble performer on the city roads, suburban streets as well as on highways. If participating a trip across harsh North American terrain, something more ultimate may be needed. At the 2015 SEMA Show, The Toyota Sienna can be shown in...

Photo Credit: Honda A fundamental goal of every automaker is to prove the endurance of their vehicles to the public. For the toughest vehicles hoping to make an impression with customers, the SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race across the terrain of a Mexican desert is among the most gruelling. A race that has been won by Ford Broncos, Chevrolet trucks and a Volkswagen-powered Meyers Manx , Toyota trucks were also some of the victorious vehicle entrants who inherit some impressive bragging rights to sell their trucks to buyers. Along with measuring the integrity of production-based trucks as well as race-purpose buggies, major auto manufacturers have also found the Baja 1000 event as a proving ground for new ideas. In 2013, Ford tested their2.7-liter EcoBoost powerplant in the competition as an extreme field test ahead of availability on the 2015 Ford F-150 . Later this month, Honda will compete with a prelude to their next Ridgeline pickup truck.   After a two-year absence, th...