The Mustang Bullitt just debuted last year at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), so this seems a bit early for a refresh. Just a couple weeks ago spy shooters caught a glimpse of a camo’ed GT and had speculated (per sources) that it may be a mule for a Mustang hybrid. That could be a solid option, but it's confirmed that this Bullitt was packing a 5.0 V8, as the driver made a point of revving the engine as he drove by.

Looking at the Bullitt, the only real changes that can be seen are the placement of the foglights, which appear to sit a couple inches higher on the front fascia, and the area below the foglights, which now appears to angle in toward the grille. Around back, there are virtually no changes, just a hacked-up lower rear fascia with some testing tips.

If this is just a refresh for the Bullitt, expect an official debut by the end of the year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Mustang Bullitt just debuted last year at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), so this seems a bit early for a refresh. Just a couple weeks ago spy shooters caught a glimpse of a camo’ed GT and had speculated (per sources) that it may be a mule for a Mustang hybrid. That could be a solid option, but it's confirmed that this Bullitt was packing a 5.0 V8, as the driver made a point of revving the engine as he drove by.

Looking at the Bullitt, the only real changes that can be seen are the placement of the foglights, which appear to sit a couple inches higher on the front fascia, and the area below the foglights, which now appears to angle in toward the grille. Around back, there are virtually no changes, just a hacked-up lower rear fascia with some testing tips.

If this is just a refresh for the Bullitt, expect an official debut by the end of the year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Mustang Bullitt just debuted last year at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), so this seems a bit early for a refresh. Just a couple weeks ago spy shooters caught a glimpse of a camo’ed GT and had speculated (per sources) that it may be a mule for a Mustang hybrid. That could be a solid option, but it's confirmed that this Bullitt was packing a 5.0 V8, as the driver made a point of revving the engine as he drove by.

Looking at the Bullitt, the only real changes that can be seen are the placement of the foglights, which appear to sit a couple inches higher on the front fascia, and the area below the foglights, which now appears to angle in toward the grille. Around back, there are virtually no changes, just a hacked-up lower rear fascia with some testing tips.

If this is just a refresh for the Bullitt, expect an official debut by the end of the year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Mustang Bullitt just debuted last year at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), so this seems a bit early for a refresh. Just a couple weeks ago spy shooters caught a glimpse of a camo’ed GT and had speculated (per sources) that it may be a mule for a Mustang hybrid. That could be a solid option, but it's confirmed that this Bullitt was packing a 5.0 V8, as the driver made a point of revving the engine as he drove by.

Looking at the Bullitt, the only real changes that can be seen are the placement of the foglights, which appear to sit a couple inches higher on the front fascia, and the area below the foglights, which now appears to angle in toward the grille. Around back, there are virtually no changes, just a hacked-up lower rear fascia with some testing tips.

If this is just a refresh for the Bullitt, expect an official debut by the end of the year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Mustang Bullitt just debuted last year at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), so this seems a bit early for a refresh. Just a couple weeks ago spy shooters caught a glimpse of a camo’ed GT and had speculated (per sources) that it may be a mule for a Mustang hybrid. That could be a solid option, but it's confirmed that this Bullitt was packing a 5.0 V8, as the driver made a point of revving the engine as he drove by.

Looking at the Bullitt, the only real changes that can be seen are the placement of the foglights, which appear to sit a couple inches higher on the front fascia, and the area below the foglights, which now appears to angle in toward the grille. Around back, there are virtually no changes, just a hacked-up lower rear fascia with some testing tips.

If this is just a refresh for the Bullitt, expect an official debut by the end of the year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Mustang Bullitt just debuted last year at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), so this seems a bit early for a refresh. Just a couple weeks ago spy shooters caught a glimpse of a camo’ed GT and had speculated (per sources) that it may be a mule for a Mustang hybrid. That could be a solid option, but it's confirmed that this Bullitt was packing a 5.0 V8, as the driver made a point of revving the engine as he drove by.

Looking at the Bullitt, the only real changes that can be seen are the placement of the foglights, which appear to sit a couple inches higher on the front fascia, and the area below the foglights, which now appears to angle in toward the grille. Around back, there are virtually no changes, just a hacked-up lower rear fascia with some testing tips.

If this is just a refresh for the Bullitt, expect an official debut by the end of the year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Chad Simon

More than 160 SEMA-member manufacturers and media registered for a Measuring Session featuring the return of the Toyota Supra after a 21-year hiatus. The event was hosted by the SEMA Garage, located in Diamond Bar, California, April 3–4.

“There are a lot of reasons to be excited about the ’20 Supra,” said Sam De La Garza, Toyota vehicle marketing and communications small car senior manager. “The reasons why people buy cars like this is they’ve got to be fun to drive and look great, and the Supra delivers on both of those things really well. We’re here at SEMA to excite and inspire the aftermarket. We want them to see this car and be inspired to go out and do some fun things with it. We are giving SEMA and aftermarket suppliers a first look at the car, and to me, it’s exciting to give them the ability to experience the legend that the Supra is.”

The fifth-generation Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW and designed to perform like a pure sports car. Powered by a 3.0L turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 hp and mated to an eight-speed transmission with paddle shifters, the Supra also features standard active differential and adaptive suspension. It can hit 0–60 in 4.1 seconds.

Four ’20 Supra models were on display in various locations throughout the SEMA Garage for SEMA-member manufacturers to measure.

Based on Toyota’s ’14 FT-1 concept, the Supra has a wide stance, and its lightweight body is due to its aluminum-constructed hood and doors. The Supra rests on standard 19-in. forged aluminum wheels and are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. A double-bubble roof and an integrated rear spoiler, a 97.2-in wheelbase and a 62.8-in. front and 62.6-in rear track suggest that the Supra is engineered for agility and aerodynamics.

Eight color options include Absolute Zero White, Downshift Blue, Nitro Yellow, Nocturnal Black, Phantom Matte Grey, Renaissance Red 2.0, Tungsten Silver and Turbulence Grey. Available only in Absolute Zero and Nocturnal color options, the Launch Edition features red mirror caps, black wheels and a red/black interior.

The interior was designed for race-bred functionality, with features including an 8.8-in. high-definition color monitor and gauges, a driver’s right knee pad, genuine carbon-fiber trim, a color head-up display and a standard 6.5-in. dash-mounted touchscreen interface.

Starting at around $50,000, the Supra will be available for sale in summer 2019 as a ’20 model. The first 1,500 units are designated for the Launch Edition.

By Chad Simon

More than 160 SEMA-member manufacturers and media registered for a Measuring Session featuring the return of the Toyota Supra after a 21-year hiatus. The event was hosted by the SEMA Garage, located in Diamond Bar, California, April 3–4.

“There are a lot of reasons to be excited about the ’20 Supra,” said Sam De La Garza, Toyota vehicle marketing and communications small car senior manager. “The reasons why people buy cars like this is they’ve got to be fun to drive and look great, and the Supra delivers on both of those things really well. We’re here at SEMA to excite and inspire the aftermarket. We want them to see this car and be inspired to go out and do some fun things with it. We are giving SEMA and aftermarket suppliers a first look at the car, and to me, it’s exciting to give them the ability to experience the legend that the Supra is.”

The fifth-generation Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW and designed to perform like a pure sports car. Powered by a 3.0L turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 hp and mated to an eight-speed transmission with paddle shifters, the Supra also features standard active differential and adaptive suspension. It can hit 0–60 in 4.1 seconds.

Four ’20 Supra models were on display in various locations throughout the SEMA Garage for SEMA-member manufacturers to measure.

Based on Toyota’s ’14 FT-1 concept, the Supra has a wide stance, and its lightweight body is due to its aluminum-constructed hood and doors. The Supra rests on standard 19-in. forged aluminum wheels and are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. A double-bubble roof and an integrated rear spoiler, a 97.2-in wheelbase and a 62.8-in. front and 62.6-in rear track suggest that the Supra is engineered for agility and aerodynamics.

Eight color options include Absolute Zero White, Downshift Blue, Nitro Yellow, Nocturnal Black, Phantom Matte Grey, Renaissance Red 2.0, Tungsten Silver and Turbulence Grey. Available only in Absolute Zero and Nocturnal color options, the Launch Edition features red mirror caps, black wheels and a red/black interior.

The interior was designed for race-bred functionality, with features including an 8.8-in. high-definition color monitor and gauges, a driver’s right knee pad, genuine carbon-fiber trim, a color head-up display and a standard 6.5-in. dash-mounted touchscreen interface.

Starting at around $50,000, the Supra will be available for sale in summer 2019 as a ’20 model. The first 1,500 units are designated for the Launch Edition.

By Matt Kennedy

The “SEMA Industry Perspectives Report 2019” found that more than 90% of specialty-equipment businesses grew or maintained their customer bases in 2018.

Curious about the latest industry trends? Want to see how your own views compare with what other businesses are seeing? A recently-released report based on input from more than 800 specialty-automotive businesses found the following data:

• More than 90% of specialty-equipment businesses grew or maintained their customer bases in 2018.
• 73% expect to see their sales increase in 2019. Manufacturers are particularly optimistic, with even very small businesses (less than $2 million in revenue) expecting both their company and the industry to keep growing this year.
• Businesses report that on average, 65% of their sales are made in-store, and both online and brick-and-mortar sales grew in 2018.
• Independent retail and direct-to-consumer sales represent the industry’s fastest-growing channels, with independent specialty retailer/installers accounting for one-fifth of part sales alone.

Want to learn more about the state of our industry? Interested in seeing current and projected product trends? Check out the new “SEMA Industry Perspectives Report 2019” at www.sema.org/market-research.

If you haven’t already, also check out SEMA’s “Modern Muscle Car Accessorizers Report.” This new research shines a spotlight on people who own a modified late-model (’10 and newer) Mustang, Camaro or Challenger. The report gives an overview of how this key part of the specialty-automotive customer base goes about customizing their vehicles, their motivations and goals for doing so and how your business can connect with them. The report is available for free at www.sema.org/market-research.

By Matt Kennedy

The “SEMA Industry Perspectives Report 2019” found that more than 90% of specialty-equipment businesses grew or maintained their customer bases in 2018.

Curious about the latest industry trends? Want to see how your own views compare with what other businesses are seeing? A recently-released report based on input from more than 800 specialty-automotive businesses found the following data:

• More than 90% of specialty-equipment businesses grew or maintained their customer bases in 2018.
• 73% expect to see their sales increase in 2019. Manufacturers are particularly optimistic, with even very small businesses (less than $2 million in revenue) expecting both their company and the industry to keep growing this year.
• Businesses report that on average, 65% of their sales are made in-store, and both online and brick-and-mortar sales grew in 2018.
• Independent retail and direct-to-consumer sales represent the industry’s fastest-growing channels, with independent specialty retailer/installers accounting for one-fifth of part sales alone.

Want to learn more about the state of our industry? Interested in seeing current and projected product trends? Check out the new “SEMA Industry Perspectives Report 2019” at www.sema.org/market-research.

If you haven’t already, also check out SEMA’s “Modern Muscle Car Accessorizers Report.” This new research shines a spotlight on people who own a modified late-model (’10 and newer) Mustang, Camaro or Challenger. The report gives an overview of how this key part of the specialty-automotive customer base goes about customizing their vehicles, their motivations and goals for doing so and how your business can connect with them. The report is available for free at www.sema.org/market-research.