By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

There’s a lot happening in our nation’s capital that affects your bottom line. SEMA’s Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) is working hard to ensure that our industry is protected, but we can’t do it alone.

Whether it’s keeping harmful ethanol out of collector cars, reducing burdensome taxes or saving national treasures, such as the Bonneville Salt Flats, it’s critical to be engaged. Don’t believe us? Watch an important video message from SEMA Chairman Doug Evans and SEMA Chairman-Elect Wade Kawasaki.

Any SEMA member can join and make a difference. It doesn’t matter if you have five employees or 500, it’s in everyone’s best interest to get involved and stay active. During this year’s SEMA Show, stop by the PAC booth in the North Hall Upstairs Lobby and make your voice heard by becoming a SEMA PAC member. You can also sign up for free by visiting SEMAPAC.com. It takes seconds and there is never an obligation to contribute.

To learn more, contact SEMA PAC & Congressional Relations Manager Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

There’s a lot happening in our nation’s capital that affects your bottom line. SEMA’s Political Action Committee (SEMA PAC) is working hard to ensure that our industry is protected, but we can’t do it alone.

Whether it’s keeping harmful ethanol out of collector cars, reducing burdensome taxes or saving national treasures, such as the Bonneville Salt Flats, it’s critical to be engaged. Don’t believe us? Watch an important video message from SEMA Chairman Doug Evans and SEMA Chairman-Elect Wade Kawasaki.

Any SEMA member can join and make a difference. It doesn’t matter if you have five employees or 500, it’s in everyone’s best interest to get involved and stay active. During this year’s SEMA Show, stop by the PAC booth in the North Hall Upstairs Lobby and make your voice heard by becoming a SEMA PAC member. You can also sign up for free by visiting SEMAPAC.com. It takes seconds and there is never an obligation to contribute.

To learn more, contact SEMA PAC & Congressional Relations Manager Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Stop by the SAN display at SEMA Ignited to meet Courtney Hansen. Last year, she posed with the rolling chassis of SAN Director Colby Martin’s ’31 Ford Model A hot rod as pictured here. The finished project will be shown all week long at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #60003.

Automotive media personality Courtney Hansen will once again be the guest of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) at SEMA Ignited—the SEMA Show’s official after-party. Once the Show closes on Friday, the SEMA Show cars and trucks will assemble at the Gold Lot across the street from the convention center for SEMA Ignited—an outdoor extravaganza that includes food, music, celebrities, iconic builders and displays. Those attending can meet Hansen at the SAN display, November 6, 2015, from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.  

In addition to meeting and greeting attendees, Hansen will promote the SAN’s effort to combat unfair laws and regulations. Founded in 1997, this growing alliance is comprised of industry members and hobbyists fighting unfair automotive laws and regulations. Stop by to have your photo taken with Hansen and learn more about the SAN’s efforts to keep hobby vehicles on the road.  

For more about the SEMA Ignited event, please visit the official website. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Stop by the SAN display at SEMA Ignited to meet Courtney Hansen. Last year, she posed with the rolling chassis of SAN Director Colby Martin’s ’31 Ford Model A hot rod as pictured here. The finished project will be shown all week long at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #60003.

Automotive media personality Courtney Hansen will once again be the guest of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) at SEMA Ignited—the SEMA Show’s official after-party. Once the Show closes on Friday, the SEMA Show cars and trucks will assemble at the Gold Lot across the street from the convention center for SEMA Ignited—an outdoor extravaganza that includes food, music, celebrities, iconic builders and displays. Those attending can meet Hansen at the SAN display, November 6, 2015, from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.  

In addition to meeting and greeting attendees, Hansen will promote the SAN’s effort to combat unfair laws and regulations. Founded in 1997, this growing alliance is comprised of industry members and hobbyists fighting unfair automotive laws and regulations. Stop by to have your photo taken with Hansen and learn more about the SAN’s efforts to keep hobby vehicles on the road.  

For more about the SEMA Ignited event, please visit the official website. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Stop by the SAN display at SEMA Ignited to meet Courtney Hansen. Last year, she posed with the rolling chassis of SAN Director Colby Martin’s ’31 Ford Model A hot rod as pictured here. The finished project will be shown all week long at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #60003.

Automotive media personality Courtney Hansen will once again be the guest of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) at SEMA Ignited—the SEMA Show’s official after-party. Once the Show closes on Friday, the SEMA Show cars and trucks will assemble at the Gold Lot across the street from the convention center for SEMA Ignited—an outdoor extravaganza that includes food, music, celebrities, iconic builders and displays. Those attending can meet Hansen at the SAN display, November 6, 2015, from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.  

In addition to meeting and greeting attendees, Hansen will promote the SAN’s effort to combat unfair laws and regulations. Founded in 1997, this growing alliance is comprised of industry members and hobbyists fighting unfair automotive laws and regulations. Stop by to have your photo taken with Hansen and learn more about the SAN’s efforts to keep hobby vehicles on the road.  

For more about the SEMA Ignited event, please visit the official website. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Stop by the SAN display at SEMA Ignited to meet Courtney Hansen. Last year, she posed with the rolling chassis of SAN Director Colby Martin’s ’31 Ford Model A hot rod as pictured here. The finished project will be shown all week long at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #60003.

Automotive media personality Courtney Hansen will once again be the guest of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) at SEMA Ignited—the SEMA Show’s official after-party. Once the Show closes on Friday, the SEMA Show cars and trucks will assemble at the Gold Lot across the street from the convention center for SEMA Ignited—an outdoor extravaganza that includes food, music, celebrities, iconic builders and displays. Those attending can meet Hansen at the SAN display, November 6, 2015, from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.  

In addition to meeting and greeting attendees, Hansen will promote the SAN’s effort to combat unfair laws and regulations. Founded in 1997, this growing alliance is comprised of industry members and hobbyists fighting unfair automotive laws and regulations. Stop by to have your photo taken with Hansen and learn more about the SAN’s efforts to keep hobby vehicles on the road.  

For more about the SEMA Ignited event, please visit the official website. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Stop by the SAN display at SEMA Ignited to meet Courtney Hansen. Last year, she posed with the rolling chassis of SAN Director Colby Martin’s ’31 Ford Model A hot rod as pictured here. The finished project will be shown all week long at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #60003.

Automotive media personality Courtney Hansen will once again be the guest of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) at SEMA Ignited—the SEMA Show’s official after-party. Once the Show closes on Friday, the SEMA Show cars and trucks will assemble at the Gold Lot across the street from the convention center for SEMA Ignited—an outdoor extravaganza that includes food, music, celebrities, iconic builders and displays. Those attending can meet Hansen at the SAN display, November 6, 2015, from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.  

In addition to meeting and greeting attendees, Hansen will promote the SAN’s effort to combat unfair laws and regulations. Founded in 1997, this growing alliance is comprised of industry members and hobbyists fighting unfair automotive laws and regulations. Stop by to have your photo taken with Hansen and learn more about the SAN’s efforts to keep hobby vehicles on the road.  

For more about the SEMA Ignited event, please visit the official website. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Stop by the SAN display at SEMA Ignited to meet Courtney Hansen. Last year, she posed with the rolling chassis of SAN Director Colby Martin’s ’31 Ford Model A hot rod as pictured here. The finished project will be shown all week long at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #60003.

Automotive media personality Courtney Hansen will once again be the guest of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) at SEMA Ignited—the SEMA Show’s official after-party. Once the Show closes on Friday, the SEMA Show cars and trucks will assemble at the Gold Lot across the street from the convention center for SEMA Ignited—an outdoor extravaganza that includes food, music, celebrities, iconic builders and displays. Those attending can meet Hansen at the SAN display, November 6, 2015, from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.  

In addition to meeting and greeting attendees, Hansen will promote the SAN’s effort to combat unfair laws and regulations. Founded in 1997, this growing alliance is comprised of industry members and hobbyists fighting unfair automotive laws and regulations. Stop by to have your photo taken with Hansen and learn more about the SAN’s efforts to keep hobby vehicles on the road.  

For more about the SEMA Ignited event, please visit the official website. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is offering two free lunch vouchers for non-member buyer companies that become SEMA members, redeemable any day during the Show from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

SEMA is offering special incentives exclusively for non-member buyer companies that become SEMA members at the 2015 SEMA Show—free lunch at the 2015 Show and SEMA will pay for two badges to the 2016 Show!

Details:

• Two free lunch vouchers redeemable any day during the show from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Pick up a hot lunch or Grab N’ Go lunch and relax in the SEMA Members Lounge located in the Grand Lobby (N251).
• SEMA will pay for up to two 2016 SEMA Show badges for your company personnel! (Please note: Promotion applies only to non-members attending the Show as buyers. Non-exhibiting manufacturers and service providers are not eligible. Personnel must meet the Show eligibility requirements.)

Did you know that SEMA membership for retailers starts as low as $100/year? See all of the benefits that come with a SEMA membership.

For questions regarding Show incentives or SEMA membership, contact SEMA Membership Director Gary Vigil at 909-978-6738 or garyv@sema.org.

The Land Rover Discovery turned 25 years old in 2014, and for the first time ever, it’s become a family of vehicles, as Land Rover launched the Discovery Sport earlier this year to create a two-model Disco lineup. In turn, the full-size Discovery of today will be replaced by a fifth-generation model in 2016, as previewed by the Discovery Vision concept. These are now the first shots of the real machine, snapped in the metal during early test drives in Spain.

The Discovery 5 will not only have to excel off-road but will also become something of a technology pioneer. Yet, despite the Discovery’s modern-day reputation, genuine seven-seat accommodation and off-road credentials, it underperforms in global sales. It does have a very substantial enthusiast following, which, research has shown, is very keen for Land Rover to retain the Discovery’s rugged and capacious nature. Even in its heyday, the current model did not outsell the BMW X5. Although the X5 is a very different type of SUV, both cars are competing for the same global market of affluent urban families, which is a far bigger pool than those who make serious off-road use of their vehicles. Although the Discovery 4 is reaching the end of its life and the X5 is a new model, recent sales figures show the ground that the Discovery 5 has to make up in the premium lifestyle market.

Land Rover pioneered the use of preset suspension, ESP and engine settings for use on different terrains. The new Disco could get laser-scanning tech, which can “read” the terrain ahead and adjust suspension and transmission settings on the fly.

The styling aims to take the long-established “stepped roof” utilitarian Discovery look and soften it with much more fluid body surfacing, smaller and less square window graphics and a much more dynamic, nose-down stance. Although the Discovery will still have seven seats and the ability to create a very large, flat load bay, it will also have the kind of rakish X5-rivalling lines that it needs to appear more at home in the city.

The Disco 5 is based on the same basic bonded and riveted aluminium monocoque as the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, and will be made at Solihull.

Laser projections onto the road can give the driver an exact indication of the car’s width—useful in any tight situation—and might even project large indicator symbols onto the road surface to make the driver’s intention clear in packed urban traffic.

The frugal hybrid system in the Disco 5 will be based around the new 2.0L Ingenium engine and an electric motor enclosed in the eight-speed automatic gearbox. Even this setup can have uses in town and country. In urban areas, the Disco hybrid should have an EV-running range of about 20 km. Off-road, the electric motor could be ideal for metering out torque precisely enough to prevent wheel slippage.

The "transparent" bonnet tech—which projects an image of the road or terrain beneath onto the bonnet—will not only be useful off-road but also in urban areas.

Land Rover’s strategists have decided to bring the interior dramatically into the future, using a much larger central touchscreen than previously and a laser head-up display (HUD) that projects information in a much crisper and clearer manner than conventional HUDs.

Remote Drive could allow Discovery owners to empty the car of occupants and then automatically park the car in a space that would otherwise be too tight to allow the doors to be opened.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde