By John Stewart

	’16 Honda Pilot

Trucks and SUVs took center stage at the Chicago Auto Show, which will open to the public February 14–22. Included were a number of vehicles that might be relevant to SEMA-member companies, along with some interesting concepts.

Kia Motors America unveiled the Trail’Ster, an all-wheel-drive concept designed in California. The SUV is based on the Soul, but lifted 2.5 in., and intended to enable urban residents to make the occasional foray outside the city. The concept has a number of original features, including a fully retractable canvas roof, and 35-hp rear-mounted electric motor to supplement the turbocharged 1.6L engine. There is no immediate plan for production.

The Colorado GearOn Special Edition was revealed by Chevrolet, and offered as a special factory accessory package. Available accessories include a cargo-bed divider, tie-downs, bedliner, running boards, and in-bed mounting systems for bicycles or outdoor equipment. The GearOn Special Edition builds on the Chevrolet LT trim package, in 2WD or 4WD, in extended-cab and crew-cab bodies. The plan is for Chevy dealers to offer the package starting at $31,125 starting in the spring.

Chevrolet also introduced the Silverado Custom, a $33,820 double-cab pickup for customers who want a well-equipped pickup at an affordable price. Chevrolet marketing spokesperson Sandra Pszar said that the Custom will suit millions of customers in the heart of the market.

Also unveiled Thursday in Chicago was the all-new ’16 Honda Pilot—Honda’s latest entry into the hot crossover SUV market. The Pilot will be available as a seven-passenger vehicle with captain’s chairs in the second row or with a bench seat to accommodate eight passengers. A new 3.5L direct-injection V6 mated to a six-speed automatic is standard; a nine-speed auto transmission that comes with a start/stop system to boost fuel efficiency is also available. A newly designed AWD system is among the available amenities.

The ’16 Acura RDX will go on sale this spring, offering a new 3.5L, 279-hp V6 engine. Available in both AWD and front-wheel drive, the newest RDX is rated to deliver up to 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, with 1 mpg better for the FWD version. The Acura crossover has been updated with new LED headlights, heated front seats and black-and-silver trim, and features available amenities such as remote keyless start, parking sensors, ventilated front seats and a suite of advanced safety features.

Mitsubishi’s GC-PHV concept made its North American debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The SUV is designed with hinged rear doors, no center pillar and an advanced interior. The hybrid powertrain combines a supercharged 3.0L V6 with a 94-hp electric motor. The battery pack is rated at 12 kilowatt-hours for an electric range of about 25 miles. The GC-PHV features the Super All Wheel Control full-time 4WD system.

Chevy Colorado GearOn Special Edition		’16 Acura RDX
Kia Trail’Ster concept		Mitsubishi GC-PHV concept

By John Stewart

	’16 Honda Pilot

Trucks and SUVs took center stage at the Chicago Auto Show, which will open to the public February 14–22. Included were a number of vehicles that might be relevant to SEMA-member companies, along with some interesting concepts.

Kia Motors America unveiled the Trail’Ster, an all-wheel-drive concept designed in California. The SUV is based on the Soul, but lifted 2.5 in., and intended to enable urban residents to make the occasional foray outside the city. The concept has a number of original features, including a fully retractable canvas roof, and 35-hp rear-mounted electric motor to supplement the turbocharged 1.6L engine. There is no immediate plan for production.

The Colorado GearOn Special Edition was revealed by Chevrolet, and offered as a special factory accessory package. Available accessories include a cargo-bed divider, tie-downs, bedliner, running boards, and in-bed mounting systems for bicycles or outdoor equipment. The GearOn Special Edition builds on the Chevrolet LT trim package, in 2WD or 4WD, in extended-cab and crew-cab bodies. The plan is for Chevy dealers to offer the package starting at $31,125 starting in the spring.

Chevrolet also introduced the Silverado Custom, a $33,820 double-cab pickup for customers who want a well-equipped pickup at an affordable price. Chevrolet marketing spokesperson Sandra Pszar said that the Custom will suit millions of customers in the heart of the market.

Also unveiled Thursday in Chicago was the all-new ’16 Honda Pilot—Honda’s latest entry into the hot crossover SUV market. The Pilot will be available as a seven-passenger vehicle with captain’s chairs in the second row or with a bench seat to accommodate eight passengers. A new 3.5L direct-injection V6 mated to a six-speed automatic is standard; a nine-speed auto transmission that comes with a start/stop system to boost fuel efficiency is also available. A newly designed AWD system is among the available amenities.

The ’16 Acura RDX will go on sale this spring, offering a new 3.5L, 279-hp V6 engine. Available in both AWD and front-wheel drive, the newest RDX is rated to deliver up to 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, with 1 mpg better for the FWD version. The Acura crossover has been updated with new LED headlights, heated front seats and black-and-silver trim, and features available amenities such as remote keyless start, parking sensors, ventilated front seats and a suite of advanced safety features.

Mitsubishi’s GC-PHV concept made its North American debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The SUV is designed with hinged rear doors, no center pillar and an advanced interior. The hybrid powertrain combines a supercharged 3.0L V6 with a 94-hp electric motor. The battery pack is rated at 12 kilowatt-hours for an electric range of about 25 miles. The GC-PHV features the Super All Wheel Control full-time 4WD system.

Chevy Colorado GearOn Special Edition		’16 Acura RDX
Kia Trail’Ster concept		Mitsubishi GC-PHV concept

The inaugural Battle of the Builders competition, which took place following the 2014 SEMA Show during SEMA Ignited, will air on Velocity, Sunday, March 8, at 8:00 p.m. (EDT).

Builders can now sign up to participate in the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition at www.semaignited.com. The website has been updated to include a registration form for this year’s competition.

The site also includes a trailer for the March 8 TV special that features the inaugural competition, which took place during the 2014 SEMA Show and culminated at SEMA Ignited.

Visit www.semaignited.com to view the trailer and get more information.

The inaugural Battle of the Builders competition, which took place following the 2014 SEMA Show during SEMA Ignited, will air on Velocity, Sunday, March 8, at 8:00 p.m. (EDT).

Builders can now sign up to participate in the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition at www.semaignited.com. The website has been updated to include a registration form for this year’s competition.

The site also includes a trailer for the March 8 TV special that features the inaugural competition, which took place during the 2014 SEMA Show and culminated at SEMA Ignited.

Visit www.semaignited.com to view the trailer and get more information.

The inaugural Battle of the Builders competition, which took place following the 2014 SEMA Show during SEMA Ignited, will air on Velocity, Sunday, March 8, at 8:00 p.m. (EDT).

Builders can now sign up to participate in the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition at www.semaignited.com. The website has been updated to include a registration form for this year’s competition.

The site also includes a trailer for the March 8 TV special that features the inaugural competition, which took place during the 2014 SEMA Show and culminated at SEMA Ignited.

Visit www.semaignited.com to view the trailer and get more information.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Red Line will sponsor Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster and driver JR Todd in the NHRA Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series.

Red Line Oil Announces Primary Sponsorship of Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster

Red Line synthetic oil has announced its primary sponsorship of the Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster and driver JR Todd in the NHRA Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series, which began last weekend with the opening round in Pomona, California, February 6-8, 2015. Red Line Oil will sponsor the team at selected events throughout the year.

WELD Commits $125,000 Contingency Sponsorship Program for 2015 NHRA Season

WELD has announced it has committed more than $125,000 in prize money for its 2015 NHRA contingency sponsorship program. This year, the company has added contingency sponsorship for the Top Fuel Dragster and Fuel Funny Car categories in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. In addition, WELD continues its contingency sponsorship of the Pro Stock, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster categories. Competitors who use WELD wheels and display the brand’s decal on their race cars are eligible for contingency payouts in these NHRA classes.

Edelbrock Renews Its Contingency Agreement With the United States Racing Association

Edelbrock LLC has announced the renewal of its contingency sponsorship agreement with the United States Racing Association (USRA) for the 2015 race season. This will be Edelbrock's third year as an official USRA Contingency Sponsor. Edelbrock will again supply cash rewards to the top national drivers at the end of the year awards ceremony for the Modified, Stock Car, B-Mod and Hobby Stock classes.

	The 2014 GT Champion was the Red Star Racing driver, Daniel Akhromstev, who won the GT class with four wins.

USTCC Champions Presented With Awards at the 2014 Awards Gala in San Francisco

The Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC), sanctioned by the National Auto Sport Association, awards banquet provided a memorable night for all participants as the top finishers received their awards. The 2014 GT Champion was the Red Star Racing driver, Daniel Akhromstev, who won the GT class with four wins. In the Touring Car battle, the Life’s Good Racing Team finishing in third and second place overall with drivers Mario Lento in the Hawk Performance/CCI Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart and Beau Borders/Karl Chicca in the Hawk Performance/CCI BMW M3. Winning the Touring class for 2014 was the team of Ali Arsham and Gary Sheehan who racked up three wins during the season and never finished worse than fifth place in their GoGoGear.com/UTI/Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Receiving special awards was the Plastex Top Rookie of 2014, Lento, as he won the rookie title with two seconds and two thirds. The Orange Sportsman Champion was the team of Larry Bani and Becky Arsham who won the title driving the GoGoGear.com/UTI/Konig Wheels BMW M3 and the GoGoGear.com/UTI/Konig Wheels Honda Civic. The Cobra Electronics Top Team award went to the Life’s Good Racing team who finished in second and third place overall in the Touring class. The Miller Welders Crew Chief of the Year award was presented to Daniel Rose of TNI Racing Team.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Red Line will sponsor Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster and driver JR Todd in the NHRA Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series.

Red Line Oil Announces Primary Sponsorship of Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster

Red Line synthetic oil has announced its primary sponsorship of the Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster and driver JR Todd in the NHRA Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series, which began last weekend with the opening round in Pomona, California, February 6-8, 2015. Red Line Oil will sponsor the team at selected events throughout the year.

WELD Commits $125,000 Contingency Sponsorship Program for 2015 NHRA Season

WELD has announced it has committed more than $125,000 in prize money for its 2015 NHRA contingency sponsorship program. This year, the company has added contingency sponsorship for the Top Fuel Dragster and Fuel Funny Car categories in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. In addition, WELD continues its contingency sponsorship of the Pro Stock, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster categories. Competitors who use WELD wheels and display the brand’s decal on their race cars are eligible for contingency payouts in these NHRA classes.

Edelbrock Renews Its Contingency Agreement With the United States Racing Association

Edelbrock LLC has announced the renewal of its contingency sponsorship agreement with the United States Racing Association (USRA) for the 2015 race season. This will be Edelbrock's third year as an official USRA Contingency Sponsor. Edelbrock will again supply cash rewards to the top national drivers at the end of the year awards ceremony for the Modified, Stock Car, B-Mod and Hobby Stock classes.

	The 2014 GT Champion was the Red Star Racing driver, Daniel Akhromstev, who won the GT class with four wins.

USTCC Champions Presented With Awards at the 2014 Awards Gala in San Francisco

The Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC), sanctioned by the National Auto Sport Association, awards banquet provided a memorable night for all participants as the top finishers received their awards. The 2014 GT Champion was the Red Star Racing driver, Daniel Akhromstev, who won the GT class with four wins. In the Touring Car battle, the Life’s Good Racing Team finishing in third and second place overall with drivers Mario Lento in the Hawk Performance/CCI Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart and Beau Borders/Karl Chicca in the Hawk Performance/CCI BMW M3. Winning the Touring class for 2014 was the team of Ali Arsham and Gary Sheehan who racked up three wins during the season and never finished worse than fifth place in their GoGoGear.com/UTI/Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Receiving special awards was the Plastex Top Rookie of 2014, Lento, as he won the rookie title with two seconds and two thirds. The Orange Sportsman Champion was the team of Larry Bani and Becky Arsham who won the title driving the GoGoGear.com/UTI/Konig Wheels BMW M3 and the GoGoGear.com/UTI/Konig Wheels Honda Civic. The Cobra Electronics Top Team award went to the Life’s Good Racing team who finished in second and third place overall in the Touring class. The Miller Welders Crew Chief of the Year award was presented to Daniel Rose of TNI Racing Team.