Scion considers its upcoming FR-S a sport coupe for driving enthusiasts. Several specialty-equipment manufacturers got hands-on with the new vehicle during last week's SEMA Scion FR-S Measuring Session.
	Representatives from Airaid used different tools and scanners to gather engine data.
	Yehoram Hofman of Hofman Design uses his time with the car to measure hood clearance and to see what Scion is using to drive the FR-S.

Dozens of manufacturers got their hands on Scion's new FR-S during last week's SEMA Scion FR-S Measuring Session at Toyota's headquarters in Torrance, California. With two FR-S models on racks, and additional models available for interior and underhood measurements, manufacturers broke out tapes and scanners to grab the data and specs needed to get parts ready for a vehicle that is sure to be custom-friendly to aftermarket enthusiasts.

"As a brand, Scion has been a valuable partner to SEMA and its Tech Transfer Program, and has released several models that have sparked the imagination of enthusiasts and customizers across the country," said Bill Wolf, SEMA senior director of OEM relations. "With the release of the FR-S, Scion's appeal to the aftermarket remains, and I'm positive that the specialty-equipment community will provide additional flavor to the new car."

The SEMA Tech Transfer program grants SEMA manufacturing members access to vehicle CAD files provided directly from participating OEMs. The intent of the program is to help streamline production by minimizing or completely eliminating the necessity for reverse engineering. Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Scion are currently participating in the program. SEMA Measuring Sessions and Tech Transfer Program are functions of SEMA's OEM department.

In addition to access to upcoming vehicles, SEMA Measuring Session participants can also ask questions of the participating OEM staff to learn more about the vehicles, the automaker's marketing plans, the intended audience and more. For the FR-S session, Scion Accessory Operations Manager
 Korey Tsuno was on hand.

"FR-S is a vehicle that brings the sport back to the car and is the perfect fit for driving enthusiasts," said Tsuno.

With a release date of late spring, Tsuno expects to see an array of aftermarket products available, some of which were hinted at during the measuring session.

"It never ceases to amaze me how quickly aftermarket manufacturers can identify new-product opportunities," continued Tsuno. "For the FR-S, companies were pretty specific—cold air intake, chassis and suspension products and, of course, wheels and tires."

However, Tsuno feels the sessions themselves are also valuable just for getting a feel of the aftermarket's initial impression of a car.

"I keep my ears open to hear what companies think of the styling, what's under the hood and other aspects of a vehicle's design," he shared. "In fact, I had a great conversation about the FR-S and its potential with one of the clutch manufacturers who attended the session simply to view the car."

Read more about the Scion FR-S through Motor Trend's coverage of the session.

The next SEMA Measuring Session features the 2013 Mazda CX-5, the 155hp, five-passenger SUV. The event takes place March 28, at Mazda's North American Operations in Irvine, California.

For additional information on Measuring Sessions, Tech Transfer and additional programs available through SEMA's OEM Relations department, visit www.sema.org/oem.

Scion FR-S Measuring Session Participants

The companies below signed up for the Scion FR-S Measuring Session

• Advanced Clutch Technology
• AIRAID Filter Company
• American International
• American Tire Distributors
• Amtex Inc.
• Anzo USA
• Audiobahn
• Auto-Tech Interiors Inc.
• Carlisle Tire
• Charge Speed U.S.A.
• DC Sports-Pilot Automotive Group
• Discount Tire 
• Fat Cat Motorsports Inc.
• Golden Eagle Mfg.
• Hansen VTF
• Hofman Design
• Hotchkis Performance
• Impulse Marketing & Media
• Konig Wheels
• Koyo Cooling Systems Inc.
• M7 USA LLC
• McGard Inc.
• MGP Caliper Covers
• Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc.
• OEM Audio Plus
• Okada Projects
• Prestige Autotech Corp.
• Scosche Industries
• Seibon Carbon
• Steelmate USA
• The Chop Shop
• TSW Alloy Wheels
• Velox
• Voxx Products
• Weapon*R
• Wheel Consultants Inc.
• Wheel Pros
• Whiteline USA

	The Abarth is a sport version of the recently introduced Fiat 500 and has 59% more horsepower and 70% more torque than the standard model.

Taking dead aim at the driving enthusiast community, Fiat trotted out a sport version of the recently introduced Fiat 500. Legitimately tuned for the track, the Abarth (pronounced “ah-bart”) edition has 59% more horsepower and 70% more torque than the standard model.

“With the addition of a turbocharger to the 1.4-liter engine, advanced intake technology including FIAT’s exclusive MultiAir system, a heavy-duty five-speed manual transmission and other internal refinements to the powertrain, the ’12 Fiat 500 Abarth transforms the Fiat 500 into a high-performance precision driving machine that every enthusiast will appreciate,” said Mike Vincent, platform manager for the 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine.

The engine also benefits from twin intercoolers and upgraded thermal capacities, forged rods and forged crank. The Honeywell turbo operates at 18 psi; premium fuel is recommended, but not required.

The 500 Abarth also boasts driveline and suspension upgrades, including bigger brakes with 11.1-in. rotors, stiffer springs and bars and P-zero tires on 17-in. forged wheels. Three-mode stability control can be switched off for track use and 10% faster steering and a 15mm lower stance are part of the package.

According to Fiat spokesman Tim Kuniskis, the Abarth was designed to be fun on the track, but not punishing on the street.

The Fiat 500 was the recipient of the SEMA Award at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, making it the “Hottest Sport Compact of the Year.” The award is based on a count of vehicles in exhibitor booths—a measure of how the aftermarket performance industry embraces a new model.

	The Abarth is a sport version of the recently introduced Fiat 500 and has 59% more horsepower and 70% more torque than the standard model.

Taking dead aim at the driving enthusiast community, Fiat trotted out a sport version of the recently introduced Fiat 500. Legitimately tuned for the track, the Abarth (pronounced “ah-bart”) edition has 59% more horsepower and 70% more torque than the standard model.

“With the addition of a turbocharger to the 1.4-liter engine, advanced intake technology including FIAT’s exclusive MultiAir system, a heavy-duty five-speed manual transmission and other internal refinements to the powertrain, the ’12 Fiat 500 Abarth transforms the Fiat 500 into a high-performance precision driving machine that every enthusiast will appreciate,” said Mike Vincent, platform manager for the 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine.

The engine also benefits from twin intercoolers and upgraded thermal capacities, forged rods and forged crank. The Honeywell turbo operates at 18 psi; premium fuel is recommended, but not required.

The 500 Abarth also boasts driveline and suspension upgrades, including bigger brakes with 11.1-in. rotors, stiffer springs and bars and P-zero tires on 17-in. forged wheels. Three-mode stability control can be switched off for track use and 10% faster steering and a 15mm lower stance are part of the package.

According to Fiat spokesman Tim Kuniskis, the Abarth was designed to be fun on the track, but not punishing on the street.

The Fiat 500 was the recipient of the SEMA Award at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, making it the “Hottest Sport Compact of the Year.” The award is based on a count of vehicles in exhibitor booths—a measure of how the aftermarket performance industry embraces a new model.

	The Abarth is a sport version of the recently introduced Fiat 500 and has 59% more horsepower and 70% more torque than the standard model.

Taking dead aim at the driving enthusiast community, Fiat trotted out a sport version of the recently introduced Fiat 500. Legitimately tuned for the track, the Abarth (pronounced “ah-bart”) edition has 59% more horsepower and 70% more torque than the standard model.

“With the addition of a turbocharger to the 1.4-liter engine, advanced intake technology including FIAT’s exclusive MultiAir system, a heavy-duty five-speed manual transmission and other internal refinements to the powertrain, the ’12 Fiat 500 Abarth transforms the Fiat 500 into a high-performance precision driving machine that every enthusiast will appreciate,” said Mike Vincent, platform manager for the 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine.

The engine also benefits from twin intercoolers and upgraded thermal capacities, forged rods and forged crank. The Honeywell turbo operates at 18 psi; premium fuel is recommended, but not required.

The 500 Abarth also boasts driveline and suspension upgrades, including bigger brakes with 11.1-in. rotors, stiffer springs and bars and P-zero tires on 17-in. forged wheels. Three-mode stability control can be switched off for track use and 10% faster steering and a 15mm lower stance are part of the package.

According to Fiat spokesman Tim Kuniskis, the Abarth was designed to be fun on the track, but not punishing on the street.

The Fiat 500 was the recipient of the SEMA Award at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, making it the “Hottest Sport Compact of the Year.” The award is based on a count of vehicles in exhibitor booths—a measure of how the aftermarket performance industry embraces a new model.

The U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued final duty rates for certain steel wheels from China that are being sold at less than fair value in the United States. The subject wheels range from 18 to 24.5 in. in diameter and include rims and discs whether imported as an assembly or sold separately. The wheels are typically used in commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, trailers, etc.), but passenger car wheels within that size range fall within the scope of the investigation. 

Last year, two U.S. auto wheel manufacturers submitted petitions claiming that at least two dozen Chinese producers and exporters were “dumping” the wheels in the U.S. market. Calculations for the final dumping margins range from 44.96% to 193.54% ad valorem and countervailing duties range from 25.66% to 38.32% ad valorem. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued final duty rates for certain steel wheels from China that are being sold at less than fair value in the United States. The subject wheels range from 18 to 24.5 in. in diameter and include rims and discs whether imported as an assembly or sold separately. The wheels are typically used in commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, trailers, etc.), but passenger car wheels within that size range fall within the scope of the investigation. 

Last year, two U.S. auto wheel manufacturers submitted petitions claiming that at least two dozen Chinese producers and exporters were “dumping” the wheels in the U.S. market. Calculations for the final dumping margins range from 44.96% to 193.54% ad valorem and countervailing duties range from 25.66% to 38.32% ad valorem. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The United States Senate passed its version of legislation to fund highway construction and other transportation projects for the next two years. SEMA supports the bill’s maintenance of current funding levels in order to address the nation’s aging infrastructure and provide states with more spending flexibility. The legislation also would dramatically increase fines for vehicle or equipment recalls and include mandates to address distracted driving, unintended acceleration and pedal placement, expand the availability of early warning data and require installation of event data recorders. 

SEMA contends that current civil penalties are already higher than those imposed on manufacturers for many other types of consumer products and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is already addressing the other issues. The legislation has been sent to the House of Representatives, which is attempting to draft its own bill for a five-year plan. The draft bill currently does not include the auto safety provisions. The government’s authority to fund highway programs expires at the end of March. Congress is expected to pass a short-term extension while the House drafts its version of a bill. 

For more information, contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

The United States Senate passed its version of legislation to fund highway construction and other transportation projects for the next two years. SEMA supports the bill’s maintenance of current funding levels in order to address the nation’s aging infrastructure and provide states with more spending flexibility. The legislation also would dramatically increase fines for vehicle or equipment recalls and include mandates to address distracted driving, unintended acceleration and pedal placement, expand the availability of early warning data and require installation of event data recorders. 

SEMA contends that current civil penalties are already higher than those imposed on manufacturers for many other types of consumer products and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is already addressing the other issues. The legislation has been sent to the House of Representatives, which is attempting to draft its own bill for a five-year plan. The draft bill currently does not include the auto safety provisions. The government’s authority to fund highway programs expires at the end of March. Congress is expected to pass a short-term extension while the House drafts its version of a bill. 

For more information, contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

Legislation that originally sought to provide legal registration to hobby vehicles with a clear title, required safety equipment and in good working order was passed by the Wisconsin Senate and House and now moves to Governor Scott Walker for his signature and enactment into law. Due to opposition from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the bill was amended to now only affect former military vehicles. 

Several pro-hobby provisions of the bill with application to all hobby vehicles were eliminated. While the amended bill does not solve the many problems associated with registering a hobby car in Wisconsin, it does provide incremental improvement to the rules governing former military vehicles and is still worthy of our support. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation that originally sought to provide legal registration to hobby vehicles with a clear title, required safety equipment and in good working order was passed by the Wisconsin Senate and House and now moves to Governor Scott Walker for his signature and enactment into law. Due to opposition from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the bill was amended to now only affect former military vehicles. 

Several pro-hobby provisions of the bill with application to all hobby vehicles were eliminated. While the amended bill does not solve the many problems associated with registering a hobby car in Wisconsin, it does provide incremental improvement to the rules governing former military vehicles and is still worthy of our support. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.