Toyota/Lexus
Toyota and Lexus announced a new Associated Accessory Products (AAP) program at the 2022 SEMA Show. The new program will bring third-party accessory brands into the vehicle-purchase process to broaden and streamline the ways customers can accessorize their Toyota and Lexus vehicles at the point of purchase.
AAP is bringing many well-known and respected accessory brands together for Toyota and Lexus customers with dozens of accessories available from brands like ARB, Go Rhino, Yakima, and Rigid Industries. The new program will add on- and off-road accessories to the already robust portfolio of genuine Toyota and Lexus accessories available to consumers across both companies’ model lineups.
Toyota unveiled the Trailhunter Concept during its press conference on opening day of the 2022 SEMA Show.
“We’re excited to make it easier than ever for our customers to outfit their vehicles themselves right from the dealer,” said Lisa Materazzo, group vice president – Toyota Division Marketing. “The AAP program will make customization a seamless experience for every owner, and every part will be validated by Toyota.”
For overlanders, accessories include items such as rooftop tents from Yakima and camp refrigerators from ARB. Rock crawlers will find products like high-performance fog lights from Rigid Industries, air compressor kits from ARB, and rock sliders from Go Rhino to make their trucks ready for action. And, for outdoor adventure athletes, there are ski racks and bike racks available from Yakima. Additionally, catalytic converter shields are offered from MILLERCAT to protect from theft.
All AAP products will carry Toyota or Lexus part numbers, making it easy for consumers to order directly from dealerships. And they will be able to roll the upgrade costs into their vehicle payment schedules, providing added ordering and purchasing convenience.
Dealerships will handle installation, which is not included in the cost of AAP products.
Trailhunter Concept
In other news, Toyota also unveiled the Trailhunter Concept at its press conference in booth #22200. Trailhunter is designed to strengthen Toyota’s commitment to the overlanding community and take its go-anywhere credentials to the next level.
Toyota is planning to offer purpose-built trucks and SUVs under the Trailhunter name to outdoor enthusiasts who long for off-the-grid expeditions. Trailhunter will serve as a flagship offering to inspire and support modifications of Toyota trucks with Toyota Genuine or Associated Accessory Products equipment across the lineup.
“Trailhunter trucks will come straight from the factory equipped to meet the needs of overlanding enthusiasts,” said Lisa Materazzo, group vice president – Toyota Division Marketing. “These trucks will be developed in-house by our engineering teams and will be the most capable OEM overlanding solutions designed to meet Toyota’s legendary quality, durability and reliability standards.”
Trailhunter vehicles will be highly capable, intentionally designed overlanding rigs. The all-new Trailhunter product line is designed to meet the demands of outdoor enthusiasts who love to explore with their vehicle. Designed and developed in-house at Toyota, Trailhunter vehicles will be adventure-ready straight from the factory, providing a trail-ready truck with components and accessories that support a remote off-the-grid experience.
The concept truck on display at the 2022 SEMA Show is equipped with a Trailhunter-specific suspension setup, skid plates, roof rack, bumpers, lighting, refrigerator, rooftop tent, and more all engineered specifically for overlanding applications.
Enthusiasts can expect future Trailhunter products to deliver terrain versatility and protection as well as load-bearing performance and storage functionality for their equipment, recovery gear, and base camp necessities.
Toyota will share additional Trailhunter details next year.
Volkswagen of America Inc. is featuring a number of custom builds on display in its booth #10509, including adventure concepts built on Volkswagen’s SUV models, alongside performance concepts and historic performance models.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen of America Inc. is featuring a number of custom builds on display in its booth #10509, including adventure concepts built on Volkswagen’s SUV models, alongside performance concepts and historic performance models.
Atlas Basecamp Camping Concept
Featuring rugged Basecamp styling components and a custom graphics package, the Atlas Basecamp Camping concept makes the outdoors more accessible. To get you where you want to go, the concept—based on a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL VR6 3.6L 4Motion—adds an H&R raised suspension, utilizing Street Performance Adventure Lift coilovers and TRAK+ wheel spacers. Custom floodlights and 17-in. fifteen52 Traverse MX wheels in Frosted Graphite are wrapped in 245/70R17 all-terrain tires to add an aggressive look to match the off-road styling of the Atlas concept. To increase the versatility of the Atlas, the concept has a Volkswagen Accessories cross bar and Thule® Basket & Side Awning, as well as a prototype 2-in-1 Air Pump by NSV incorporated in the trunk area to inflate a camping mattress or sporting equipment.
Taos Basecamp Active Concept
The Taos Basecamp Active concept starts with a 2022 Volkswagen Taos SEL 4Motion and adds rugged Basecamp styling components and graphics package shared with the Atlas Basecamp Camping concept. Similar to the Atlas concept, the Taos concept features 17-in. fifteen52 Traverse MX wheels in Frosted Graphite, 225/55R17 all-terrain tires, and a lifted suspension with H&R springs and TRAK+ wheel spacers. Volkswagen Accessories on the concept include base carrier bars and bike racks, along with the Full Display Mirror, tablet holder, Muddybuddy floor liners, roadside assistance and first aid kit, Bumperdillo protection plate, and rear seat cover. In addition, a custom cargo divider and custom trunk flood lighting help keep gear organized and visible on the go. The Taos Basecamp Active concept is shown with Marin bicycles, bike helmets, and a fire extinguisher.
ID.4 EV Drone Command Concept
Volkswagen of America is collaborating with the Tennessee Valley Authority as the utility corporation sets a goal of operating a 100% electric sedan and SUV fleet by the year 2030. As one of its early steps, the utility provider has chosen to collaborate with Volkswagen on a year-long test using its ID.4 EV to analyze capabilities and various applications of electric vehicle usage. As part of this test, Volkswagen has modified a 2023 ID.4 AWD Pro S as a “Mobile Drone Response Vehicle” to equip TVA test drivers for a number of real-world response scenarios. The ID.4 EV was the winner of the first-ever SEMA Award for Electric Vehicle of the Year.
An exterior graphics package was designed to boost visibility of the test fleet program. Featuring a trunk-housed custom storage unit for drone and field equipment, the vehicle is also outfitted with a portable power station. Versatility gets a boost by way of a Thule Caprock platform roof rack, supplemented with a Thule retractable side awning. Eighteen-inch wheels with H&R TRAK+ wheel spacers and 245/60R18 all-terrain tires unlock new roads for the SUV, while a heavy-duty suspension aids in hauling the weight of additional equipment. Roadside emergency lighting and side and rear-mounted floodlighting help responders when arriving on scene, while a full-display digital rearview mirror ensures optimal visibility for the vehicle’s operator.
ID.4 Accessories Concept
The ID.4 Accessories concept starts with a 2021 ID.4 1st Edition and adds versatile lifestyle elements. Outside, Volkswagen Accessories base carrier bars support a Thule Canyon Basket to haul gear and an Apex XT 9025XT hitch-mounted bike rack is ride ready. Splash guards protect the eighteen-inch wheels with H&R TRAK+ wheel spacers and 245/60R18 all-terrain tires. Inside, Volkswagen Accessories include the Full Display Mirror, rear seat cover, a spare tire kit, dock & coat hanger, roadside assistance and first aid kit, and Monster Mats all-season floor mats.
GTI Accessories Concept
An homage to the Volkswagen enthusiast, this GTI concept reflects a blended approach to personalization. Based on a 2022 Volkswagen GTI SE with six-speed manual, the concept features Oettinger body styling components—front valence, rear valence and rear spoiler—as well as 20-in. gloss-black multi-spoke wheels wrapped in 245/30R20 high-performance tires. Braking is upgraded with the help of eight-piston calipers and 14.6-in. ventilated cross-drilled rotors in front. The vehicle also features a lowered stance using H&R Street Performance coilovers. Showing off the practical side of the sporty Golf platform is a color-matched roof box on base carrier bars. Additional curated items from Volkswagen Accessories include GTI dynamic center wheel caps, dynamic turn signals, black Bumperdillo rear bumper protection, enhanced rear view mirror with Homelink Connect, Monster Mats all-season floor mats, heavy-duty trunk liner with CarGo blocks, and an emergency triangle.
Jetta GLI Performance Concept
A reimagining of the Jetta GLI by the Volkswagen Design Center California was unveiled at the show on November 1. More details to come.
2004 Golf R32
Twenty years ago, the Volkswagen Golf R32 took the world by storm. First released in Europe, the Mk4 Golf R32 was groundbreaking with its narrow-angle 3.2L VR6 engine putting out 240 hp and 235 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a six-speed manual and 4Motion all-wheel drive. In 2004, a made-for-America version was produced, bringing just over 5,000 units of the performance hatchback stateside.
The two-door 2004 R32 featured a special three-grille front bumper, side skirts, rear hatch spoiler, and rear valance with special dual-exit rear muffler. It rode on 18-inch multi-spoke wheels, paired with 225/40R18 performance summer tires and 13.1-inch front and 10.1-inch rear ventilated disc brakes. It was available in just four colors: Black Magic, Deep Blue, Reflex Silver, and Tornado Red. The interior mirrored the performance nature of the elevated hot hatch. Sport seats with integrated head restraints and supportive high bolsters sat alongside a sport steering wheel and aluminum interior accents, with “R” logo placement throughout.
2022 Golf R
The redesigned 2022 Golf R continued to evolve a legacy of understated performance first pioneered for the 2004 model year. Almost two decades later, the fifth iteration of Volkswagen’s performance halo ups the ante with new race-inspired content and premium features.
With 315hp, and up to 295 lb.-ft. of torque delivered by next-gen EA888 evo4 TSI engine, the 2022 Golf R can be paired with either a six-speed manual or 7-speed DSG transmission. The 2022 model year brought new vehicle dynamics settings and torque-vectoring AWD, along with advanced DCC functionality and new driving modes to improve handling. The Golf R is fitted with 19-in. black machined aluminum-alloy wheels wrapped in 235/35 summer performance tires and features 14.1-in. front and 12.2-in. rear vented disc brakes. VW Accessories content on display includes R-specific MonsterMats all-season mats, a frameless rearview mirror with HomeLink Connect capability, and a Bumperdillo rear bumper protector.
Golf A59 Prototype
The 1993 Rallye Golf 3 A59 Prototype was created as a proof of concept to determine the feasibility of entering the 1994 FIA World Rally Championship, for which homologation regulations required that manufacturers create 2,500 street-legal versions. This prototype was developed with Schmidt Motorsport (SMS), and had it been put into production, it would have been the highest performance version of the third-generation Golf family. This specific car is the only complete version ever built. The engine and drivetrain were developed specifically for this concept, and although the Golf A59 did not go on to compete in races, the engine design went on to class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in different vehicles.
Volkswagen’s performance unicorn featured a bespoke 2.0L all-aluminum turbocharged four-cylinder engine, putting out 275 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drive with a variable center differential. The front strut-type suspension was modified with Bilstein shock absorbers for longer travel, and the control arm width was increased by 3 inches. The fully independent rear suspension was a multi-link design, with Bilstein struts, and retained the original factory chassis attachment points, supplemented with additional points. It rode on 16-inch five-spoke Speedline SL817 motorsport wheels, with 225/45R16 tires, and braking was handled by a Brembo system with cross-drilled brake discs.
Carbon fiber and Kevlar graced the exterior, which featured a modified front bumper with chin spoiler, additional air intakes in the custom grille and hood, widened front and rear fender arches, pronounced side skirts, a rear hatch spoiler, and a custom rear bumper with twin pipe muffler. Inside, RECARO A8 sport seats with integrated head restraints and supportive high bolsters were met with a sport three-spoke steering wheel, and integral roll bar. A digital dashboard with engine monitoring selection sat in front of the driver, while additional engine and rally controls resided on the dashboard and inside the glovebox.
Nissan
Nissan will reveal six new concept vehicles, plus the public debut of the all-new Z GT4 racing car, at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Nissan’s diverse SEMA lineup includes electric, street/track performance and off-road-focused vehicles designed to inspire owners to customize their own vehicles for next-level excitement. Nissan’s Thrill Street exhibit in the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, booth #52141, showcases the seven different vehicles and two “parts walls” featuring off-road and street-focused NISMO accessory parts for owners to personalize their own vehicles.
As Nissan continues to pursue accessible electric mobility for all, the company, in partnership with Tommy Pike Customs of Greenville, South Carolina, is bringing two EV concepts to SEMA. The first is a Nissan Sunny LEAF project, a classic Sunny pickup truck with a Nissan LEAF powertrain swap, providing all-electric power for the classic Nissan model.
The Nissan Ariya Surfwagon concept also combines retro design with modern technology, reimagining the all-new 2023 Ariya all-electric crossover as a beach-style surf wagon, complete with a wood panel-style wrap and other accessories.
The recently redesigned Nissan Frontier is already inspiring builders to transform the midsize truck to reflect their personalities and preferred activities. Two concepts on display at the SEMA showcase show the range of possibilities for reimagining Frontier. The NISMO Off-Road Frontier V8 concept, built by Forsberg Racing, takes Frontier to the extreme with a TITAN V8 engine, unique suspension, a wide-body conversion and multiple NISMO Off-Road parts.
At the other end of the spectrum, Nissan enthusiast and influencer Christina Roki is showing a Frontier Street Truck project. Wearing a distinct wrap and lowered with a two unique wheel-and-tire package, Roki’s Frontier harkens back to the “mini truckin’” craze of the ‘90s.
The 2023 Nissan Z is an ideal platform for enthusiastic drivers to make the sports car their own and build on its already exhilarating personality with added performance. Owners and fans of the 2023 Z will be especially intrigued by the NISMO Accessorized Z, which features a variety of new NISMO and Genuine Accessory components that will be available for the new Nissan Z. These components will appeal to drivers looking to personalize and customize the twin-turbocharged sports coupe.
For fans of all things drifting, Chris Forsberg’s 1,300hp 2023 Formula Drift Z shows how the new Nissan Z can participate in the world of Formula Drift. It builds on Forsberg Racing’s extensive experience developing high-powered and highly competitive drift cars.
Finally, Nissan’s SEMA booth is hosting the public debut of the Nissan Z GT4, a purpose-built racing car that will hit circuits in 2023 to continue to defend the Z’s long heritage of motorsports successes.