Thu, 02/12/2015 - 13:17
 lotus

The shooters at KGP Photography have just gotten the first look at the revamped ’16 Lotus Evora, caught testing in Southern Europe.

When it was announced that the Evora wouldn't see 2015, initial impressions were that the model was being killed altogether. Shortly thereafter, reports surfaced that the Evora was being reworked in time for a 2016 relaunch for the United States and most other global markets. With that news, questions began swirling as to just how new would the revamped Evora actually be. These photos provide some key answers as to what's on tap.

The Evora will see some changes to front and rear fascias. Up front, the Evora gets a much more aggressive front bumper design, with larger intakes across the entire front clip. Changes have also been applied to the Evora's tail section, with a new rear-wing design that may incorporate a subtly reworked backlight and deck lid.

Inside sources suggest that changes have been made to provide easier access to the rear seats, although no exterior changes can be discerned to confirm those reports. It's possible that we are dealing with new, thinner seats and revised mechanisms to aid ingress. But it doesn't appear that the Evora is getting any thoroughly reworked body panels around the B or C pillars.

Just how deep the changes go remains to be seen. We'll likely have to wait until the car's official debut to see how extensive the changes are beneath the skin.

 lotus

Photo credit: KGP Photography

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 11:14

The wheel and tire market has improved over the past year, according to a widely held consensus among professionals in the automotive specialty-equipment industry. New offerings, technology and an improving economy bode well for sales in 2015, but there are also impediments that may deflate some of the optimism.

“Tire performance has definitely improved,” said Bob Ulrich, editor of Modern Tire Dealer magazine. “That applies not only to broad-market tires but also to growing niche market segments such as mud-terrain tires for light trucks. Tire development is evolutionary, not revolutionary, but 2014 was a breakout year in tire design and compounding.”

Part of that development has come from the federal government’s push for higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, Ulrich said, and fellow tire journalist David Zielasko, editor and vice president/publisher of Tire Business, concurred with that assessment.

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 11:14

The wheel and tire market has improved over the past year, according to a widely held consensus among professionals in the automotive specialty-equipment industry. New offerings, technology and an improving economy bode well for sales in 2015, but there are also impediments that may deflate some of the optimism.

“Tire performance has definitely improved,” said Bob Ulrich, editor of Modern Tire Dealer magazine. “That applies not only to broad-market tires but also to growing niche market segments such as mud-terrain tires for light trucks. Tire development is evolutionary, not revolutionary, but 2014 was a breakout year in tire design and compounding.”

Part of that development has come from the federal government’s push for higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, Ulrich said, and fellow tire journalist David Zielasko, editor and vice president/publisher of Tire Business, concurred with that assessment.

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 11:14

The wheel and tire market has improved over the past year, according to a widely held consensus among professionals in the automotive specialty-equipment industry. New offerings, technology and an improving economy bode well for sales in 2015, but there are also impediments that may deflate some of the optimism.

“Tire performance has definitely improved,” said Bob Ulrich, editor of Modern Tire Dealer magazine. “That applies not only to broad-market tires but also to growing niche market segments such as mud-terrain tires for light trucks. Tire development is evolutionary, not revolutionary, but 2014 was a breakout year in tire design and compounding.”

Part of that development has come from the federal government’s push for higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, Ulrich said, and fellow tire journalist David Zielasko, editor and vice president/publisher of Tire Business, concurred with that assessment.

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 10:54
SEMA annually recognizes four vehicle models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for specialty customization.

The 2014 SEMA Award was presented to the Ford Mustang as Hottest Car; the Honda Fit as Hottest Sport Compact; the Chevrolet Silverado as Hottest Truck; and the Jeep Wrangler as Hottest SUV.

The accompanying brief photo album includes commentaries from some of the exhibitors and the builders whose vehicles were chosen to be displayed in the SEMA Show booths to provide a greater understanding of why the selections were made.
Thu, 02/12/2015 - 10:54
SEMA annually recognizes four vehicle models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for specialty customization.

The 2014 SEMA Award was presented to the Ford Mustang as Hottest Car; the Honda Fit as Hottest Sport Compact; the Chevrolet Silverado as Hottest Truck; and the Jeep Wrangler as Hottest SUV.

The accompanying brief photo album includes commentaries from some of the exhibitors and the builders whose vehicles were chosen to be displayed in the SEMA Show booths to provide a greater understanding of why the selections were made.
Thu, 02/12/2015 - 10:54
SEMA annually recognizes four vehicle models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for specialty customization.

The 2014 SEMA Award was presented to the Ford Mustang as Hottest Car; the Honda Fit as Hottest Sport Compact; the Chevrolet Silverado as Hottest Truck; and the Jeep Wrangler as Hottest SUV.

The accompanying brief photo album includes commentaries from some of the exhibitors and the builders whose vehicles were chosen to be displayed in the SEMA Show booths to provide a greater understanding of why the selections were made.
Thu, 02/12/2015 - 10:54
SEMA annually recognizes four vehicle models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for specialty customization.

The 2014 SEMA Award was presented to the Ford Mustang as Hottest Car; the Honda Fit as Hottest Sport Compact; the Chevrolet Silverado as Hottest Truck; and the Jeep Wrangler as Hottest SUV.

The accompanying brief photo album includes commentaries from some of the exhibitors and the builders whose vehicles were chosen to be displayed in the SEMA Show booths to provide a greater understanding of why the selections were made.
Thu, 02/12/2015 - 10:44

National Speedway Directory’s Tim Frost visits SEMA Central to discuss how enthusiasts and business owners can utilize the National Speedway Directory.

The 2015 SEMA Show takes place November 3–6, in Las Vegas.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, annually drawing the industry’s brightest minds and latest innovations to the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports, and RV markets. The 2014 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 10:44

National Speedway Directory’s Tim Frost visits SEMA Central to discuss how enthusiasts and business owners can utilize the National Speedway Directory.

The 2015 SEMA Show takes place November 3–6, in Las Vegas.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, annually drawing the industry’s brightest minds and latest innovations to the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports, and RV markets. The 2014 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.