With a full reveal expected to be just months away, Land Rover engineers are entering an advanced stage of development for the fifth-generation Range Rover, and our photographers have captured a prototype of the plug-in hybrid variant on public roads.

It’s the latest in a series of sightings of Britain’s reinvented flagship, following recent glimpses of the standard SUV, the lower-slung Range Rover Sport and the top-rung long-wheelbase model. Here, mandatory stickers and a just-visible charging port give the test mule’s electrified powertrain away. Otherwise, like the current Range Rover P400e, it looks like the PHEV will be completely identical to its ICE sibling.

The new Range Rover will play a vital role in facilitating Jaguar Land Rover's recovery from the pandemic and chip shortage, and its new MLA platform, which will go on to underpin a number of other models in Land Rover's lineup, will be a cornerstone of the marque’s push towards full electrification.

The plug-in hybrid spotted here is likely to use an evolved version of the current P400e model’s gas-electric setup, which mates an Ingenium 2.0L turbo four with a 143hp electric motor and a 17.1-kWh battery for around 30 miles of range. However, a more-potent PHEV option with two electric motors is in the cards, no doubt with superior off-road ability courtesy of a boost in low-end torque.

Elsewhere in the lineup, we are expecting to see the Range Rover retain its 48-V mild-hybridized Ingenium 3.0L straight six, while the range-topping model will use technical partner BMW’s 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8 with upwards of 500 hp.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Ford Motor Co. will recognize the customization and vehicle crafting ability of several builders through the automaker’s design awards at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Ford presents the awards annually to the SEMA Show Ford vehicles that make a significant contribution to vehicle design and stand apart from all others at the Show.

A ’20 F-450 by Deberti Design won the Oustanding Achievement Award at the 2019 SEMA Show.

If you would like to have your vehicle considered for the Ford Design awards, please send the following to semainfo@ford.com no later than Sunday, October 31, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT):

• Year and model of vehicle
• Booth name and number
• On-site contact (email and cell #)

Note: In order for the vehicle to be considered, it must have a Ford powertrain.

Ford Design awards will be presented on Tuesday, November 2, at 9:30 a.m. (PDT) in the Ford booth #22200.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Chevrolet Unveils ’23 Corvette Z06

Chevrolet has revealed the all-new ’23 Corvette Z06, a 670hp supercar. The Z06 features an all-new 5.5L LT6, the highest horsepower, naturally-aspirated V8 to hit the market in any production car. An all-new flat-plane crankshaft design entices offers 8,600 rpm. Additional highlights of the ’23 Corvette Z06 include:

• Unique front and rear fascias, a first for Z06. The front fascia is designed to optimize the Z06’s cooling needs, including channeling air to a center heat exchanger, which is one of five for maximum cooling performance.
• A standard reconfigurable rear spoiler with adjustable wickerbill elements designed to improve high-speed stability and cornering capability on a race track.
• Standard 20-in. front and 21-in. rear forged aluminum “spider” wheels (with five available finishes)—the largest wheels ever available on a production Corvette.
• Available lightweight and rigid carbon-fiber wheels that deliver a 41-lb. reduction in unsprung mass, which is designed to contribute to more agile and responsive handling.
• Specific suspension tuning, including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, and six-piston front brakes.
• Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a specific, 5.56 final drive ratio.
• Elevated cockpit surrounding the driver, including more carbon-fiber trim and new options.
• Available Z07 performance package provides 734 lbs. of downforce at 186 mph, more than any Corvette ever. It includes a carbon-fiber high rear wing and ground effects, specific chassis tuning, specific Magnetic Ride Control calibration, and Michelin Cup 2 R ZP tires, along with Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and optional carbon-fiber wheels

For more information on the car, visit the Chevrolet website here.

YANG Top Golf Event a Success for AACF

The Young AutoCare Network Group (YANG) and its leadership were looking for an event to kick-off the renewal of its series of “Meet-Up” networking events after a lengthy delay due to the pandemic. The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) had an established relationship with Top Golf after having utilized their format to conduct a annual golf outing in 2020 to replace the traditional golf event that was canceled as part of Industry Week events aligned with AAPEX and SEMA.

“In speaking with some of YANG’s leadership and various members, it was clear they were seeking a high-profile event to re-ignite their “Meet-Up” series and get people back together again, safely” explained AACF Executive Committee and Board member Jon Owens of Epicor Software. “We had huge success last year with the folks from Top Golf and knew they could host an awesome event while accommodating the logistical aspects of nationwide availability and all safety precautions.”

Through participation and sponsorships, the event raised more than $15,000 for AACF.

Holley Launches Event for Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts

Holley has announced it will host an event for all-electric vehicles to take place November 13–14, 2021, at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California. Holley’s “High Voltage Experience” will be a playground for EV owners, drivers and enthusiasts alike, offering multiple high-performance driving events and an opportunity for the emerging EV culture to come together. Motorsports events will include autocross, road course, drag racing and a 3S Challenge, which combines performance aspects of all of the above. Driving instruction will be available by well-known professional driver and EV lap record holder Randy Pobst on the full Sonoma Raceway road course. The event will also feature a dedicated car show to provide enthusiasts a look at a wide variety of personalized vehicles and impressive EV conversions. THolley High Voltage will also include daily drifting exhibitions and drag racing passes by the world’s first 200-mph EV dragster. Holley High Voltage will bring together all walks of the EV community and will include attendance by premier influencers, builders, cars and drivers, such as Rich Rebuilds, Bisimoto Engineering, Jehu Garcia and more. For more information visit www.Holleyhighvoltage.com.

Motorsport Park Hastings Hires Jeff Lacina as General Manager

The ownership group of Motorsports Park Hastings has announced Jeff Lacina as general manager of the multi-use facility in Hastings, Nebraska. Lacina will oversee all daily track operations as well as all promotions, marketing, and event management functions, including group, corporate, and private event rentals. Prior to joining Motorsport Park Hastings, Lacina served as an international sales representative for Sydney, Australia-based Speedmaster. He also worked with LTA Manufacturing and Castle Creations in the Olathe, Kansas area; John Deere Financial in Johnston, Iowa; and Accessible Technologies/ProCharger Superchargers/Inovair in Lenexa, Kansas. Lacina has also contributed as a freelance writer for several automotive and motorsports publications and is an avid road course racer. He launched the Track Guys Performance Driving Events in 2002.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

The monorail is a great option for getting to the SEMA Show each day. Trains arrive every 4–8 minutes and will begin operation at 6:00 a.m. on SEMA Show days (Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5).

There  are  seven  stations  along the Las Vegas Monorail route. With a  total  of  nine  running  trains,  one  train  arrives at each station every few minutes.

The extended Show hours are:

• Monday, November 1: 6:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, November  2–Thursday, November 4: 6:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m.
• Friday, November 5: 6:00 a.m.–3:00 a.m.

Stations:

• MGM Grand Station
• Bally’s/Paris Station
• Flamingo/Caesars Palace Station
• Harrah’s/The LINQ Station
• Las Vegas Convention Center Station
• Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Monorail Station
• SAHARA Las Vegas Station

Look for Monorail kiosks throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and at participating hotels to purchase discounted tickets. Showgoers can save money and purchase discounted multi-day Monorail passes. For more information, call 702-699-8200.

Discounted Ride Passes:

• Single Ride: $5
• 24-Hour Pass: $13
• Two-Day Pass: $23
• Three-Day Pass: $25
• Four-Day Pass: $32
• Five-Day Pass: $38
• Seven-Day Pass: $49

The Shuttle Bus SEMA Show Loop is available to transport Showgoers from one side of the Convention Center to the other. Shuttles run every 15 minutes and stop at the LVCC West Hall Transportation Lot (Majestic Lot), back of Central Hall Door 9, and east end of the Bronze Lot (back of South Hall). There will be 25-passenger mini buses marked “SEMA Show Loop.”

Hours of Operation:

Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Monday: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Tuesday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The 2021 SEMA Show will be held November 2–5, in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Exclusive for SEMA Show 2021 participants, Las Vegas hotels are offering unbeatable nightly rates—but only when you book through the SEMA Show hotel block on www.SEMAShow.com.

Las Vegas hotels are offering unbeatable nightly rates—but only when you book through the SEMA Show hotel block on www.SEMAShow.com.

SEMA Show management has compared rates against other online travel sites and found that you can save an average of 30% each night on the best available retail rates, and you can still accrue hotel loyalty rewards points.

Hotels That Save You $100 Per Night or More

• ARIA
• Bellagio
• Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World
• Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas
• Encore
• Excalibur
• Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World
• MGM Grand
• SpringHill Suites - Las Vegas Convention Center
• The Palazzo at The Venetian
• The Signature at MGM Grand
• The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
• Vdara
• Wynn

Hotels That Save You 50% Per Night or More

• Bellagio
• Encore
• Excalibur
• Luxor
• The Signature at MGM Grand
• Vdara
• Wynn

Anticipation for the SEMA Show is high. People are eager to reconnect with friends, network with new contacts, get back down to business, and be inspired at the world's leading celebration of product ingenuity, vehicle-performance innovations and the passion for automobiles.

The SEMA Show takes place November 2–5, in Las Vegas. Book your hotel through the SEMA Show hotel block at www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors are excited to make their announcements at the 2021 SEMA Show, taking place Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, in Las Vegas. Below is the official press conference schedule as of September 15.

Monday, November 1

• 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m: SEMA Vehicle Reveal featuring the SEMA Award Presentation (outside the Grand Central Lobby entrance)

Tuesday, November 2

• 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m: New Products Breakfast; breakfast will be served (Paradise Event Center, located in the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino)
• 10:00 a.m.–10:20 a.m: Toyota Motor North America Press Conference (Booth #24800)
• 10:30 a.m.–10:50 a.m: Ford Motor Company – Reveal (Booth #22200)
• 11:00 a.m.–11:20 a.m: 4WP Factory, Unveiling ’21 Ford Bronco (Booth #58141)
• 11:30 a.m.–11:50 a.m: Red Line Oil, Advance Technology Vehicle Reveal (Booth #22419)
• 12:00 p.m.–12:20 p.m: Jay Leno’s Garage, Jay Leno discusses the banner year for his detail products (Booth #10012)
• 1:00 p.m.–1:20 p.m: Lexus Press Conference (Booth #21803)
• 1:30 p.m.–1:50 p.m: SEMA: Battle of the Builders, Top 40 Finalists (SEMA Central)
• 2:00 p.m.–2:20 p.m: Hushmat, Worldwide Unveil Big Oak Garage ’66 Cadillac (Booth #23195)
• 2:30 p.m.–2:50 p.m: OPTIMA Batteries, Q&A with Mike Rowe (Booth #20323)
• 3:30 p.m.–3:50 p.m: Redline Detection, OEM Chooses Redline for Essential Tool Program (Media Center, South Hall Skybridge Room S219)
• 4:00 p.m.–4:20 p.m: Formula DRIFT Holdings LLC, 2022 Schedule and Announcements (Media Center, South Hall Skybridge Room S219)

Wednesday, November 3

• 9:00 a.m.–9:20 a.m: Eaton Corp., New Builds with Eaton (Booth #23063)
• 10:00 a.m.–10:20 a.m: Quadratec Inc., YJL Jeep Debut, Wholesale Program & New Products (Booth #55167)
• 11:30 a.m.–11:50 a.m: HEXIS Group: Who We Are and What We Do (Media Center, South Hall Skybridge Room S219)
• 1:30 p.m.–1:50 p.m: SEMA: Battle of the Builders, Top 12 Finalists (SEMA Central)
• 2:00 p.m.–2:20 p.m: Truck Hero Partnerships and Announcements (Booth #70120)

Thursday, November 4

• 9:00 a.m.–9:20 a.m: JM3 Oil Filter Wrench – Reinvented (Media Center, South Hall Skybridge Room S219)
• 10:00 a.m.–10:20 a.m: ASA Automotive Systems, ASA Automotive Announces New Strategic Partnership (Booth #43053)
• 12:30 p.m.–12:50 p.m: Legacy EV, Electrifying Classic Vehicles: Safeguarding the Hobby for Generations (Booth #23891)

Friday, November 5

• 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m: SEMA: Battle of the Builders, Top 12 Judging (Booth #11875)
• 2:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.: SEMA: Battle of the Builders, Top 4 Finalists Announced (Booth #11875)
• 3:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m: SEMA: Battle of the Builders, Winner Announced (Silver Drive)

By Juan Torres

Jay Leno will kick off the 2021 SEMA Show as the featured guest of the New Products Breakfast, Tuesday, November 2. Taking place before the SEMA Show floor officially opens that same day, the New Products Awards Breakfast is akin to an opening ceremony for the four-day event, where automotive innovation, technology and advancement take center stage.

As the featured guest of the New Products Breakfast, Leno will inspire and motivate show attendees as the best new product award winners are announced.

“Leno is an automotive expert whose high energy and passion represents that of the industry’s,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Like the exhibitors at the SEMA Show, Leno pushes the boundaries and continually raises the bar. We’re thrilled to have him join us for the opening breakfast of what is likely to be one of the most iconic SEMA Shows ever.”

Tickets to the New Products Breakfast are available to all SEMA Showgoers at no cost by visiting www.semashow.com/banquet. If you are already registered for the Show, please proceed to your exhibitor dashboard to RSVP for this and other events offered during the week of the Show. Tickets are free to all credentialed attendees, but must be reserved in advance as seating is limited.

In addition to a sit-down breakfast served beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, the event includes announcements and introductions of the best new product winners. Awards are presented in 16 categories and will be showcased in the New Products Showcase throughout the week of the SEMA Show. The New Products Showcase, voted on by buyers and media as the No. 1 SEMA Show destination, includes exhibitors’ new and featured products displayed in a single location. All exhibitors may enter an unlimited number of products into the Showcase, with the first entry offered at no cost.

The SEMA Show takes place November 2–5, in Las Vegas, with the Show floor opening at 9:00 a.m. More than 1,300 exhibiting companies are set to participate throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. To date, more than 40,000 buyers have signed up to attend.

Make your free reservation for the New Products Awards Breakfast.

By SEMA Editors

It’s been two years since the sights of the parade of custom vehicles from behind the walls of the trade-only SEMA Show; Formula DRIFT competitors narrowly missing the cement drift box barriers; flames shooting from the chrome headers of vintage dragsters; the smells of nitrous and burning rubber; and the sounds of squealing tires, high-revving engines, the cheering crowd and rocking bands.

SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after-party, is back in-person and in Las Vegas. This year the event will take place at the new LVCC West Hall parking lot.

Credentialed 2021 SEMA Show attendees can access the event for free with their badge. Enthusiasts can access the event by purchasing one of two ticket types—a previously offered SEMA General Admission Ticket or the all-new SEMA Friday Experience that gives the ticket holder Friday access to the SEMA Show and to SEMA Ignited.

SEMA Ignited General Admission Ticket

View hundreds of cars and trucks as they parade out of the Las Vegas Convention Center, drifting by Formula DRIFT, food, music and much more.

What You Get: Includes entry to SEMA Ignited, Friday, November 5, from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Price: $20 if purchased online or at the SEMA Ignited Ticket Office on Friday, November 5.

SEMA Friday Experience Ticket

For the first time ever, SEMA is offering a limited number of enthusiasts entry into the trade-only SEMA Show through the purchase of the SEMA Friday Experience ticket. The SEMA Show offers an attendee experience like no other trade show on the planet. It’s the best place to see the newest automotive performance products and to discover the latest product and vehicle trends.   

What You Get: Includes Friday entry into the SEMA Show from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and SEMA Ignited from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. on Friday, November 5.

Important Restrictions: Each person must pick up their own ticket. You may not send anyone else in your place. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please be prepared to show a valid government-issued photo ID when picking up your ticket. The name on your photo ID must match the name on this confirmation. No one under the age of 16, including infants, is allowed access to the exhibits. No exceptions. Show management does not provide childcare services on-site. Use of a school-issued ID to prove age is not acceptable unless it provides a date of birth. Tickets CANNOT be reproduced, transferred or resold. No day of purchases will be permitted.

Price: $90. No on-site ticket purchases will be permitted.

Purchase tickets now!

For more information, visit www.semaignited.com.

By SEMA Editors

A performance by Light Balance—a hi-tech neon and LED show with elements of acrobatic and dance choreography—will entertain all those attending the 2021 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, taking place Thursday, November 4, at the nearby Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. Hosted by Jarod DeAnda and Kevin Oeste, the annual event is the industry’s premier celebration, and follows three full days of activity at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The SEMA Industry Awards Banquet is where the automotive specialty-equipment market’s excellence and achievements are celebrated. Held annually, the event is the industry’s single largest gala attended by automotive icons, professionals, supporters and celebrities. Winners of the SEMA Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, WD of the Year and Gen-III Innovator of the Year will be announced at the event. Tributes will be made to this year’s SEMA Hall of Fame inductees: Jessi Combs, Rick Love, Bob

Moore and Carl Schiefer. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, formal sit-down dinner, a performance by Light Balance and comedy by Adam Ferrara. Attendees will also have the opportunity to watch the top two SEMA Launch Pad finalists compete live on stage and vote for their favorite product.

All SEMA Show exhibitors qualify to obtain a limited number of free tickets to the banquet based on their booth size. All Showgoers are also able to purchase banquet tickets at www.semashow.com/banquet. If you are already registered for the Show, please proceed to your exhibitor dashboard to RSVP for this and other events offered during the week of the Show.

The 2021 SEMA Show takes place November 2–5, 2021, in Las Vegas. The annual trade-only show brings manufacturers of automotive parts and accessories together with industry buyers from all over the world.