Every year thousands of fans of aftermarket mods flock to Las Vegas for the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association, or SEMA, show.
Knowing a captive audience when they see one, automakers make certain to turn up with a few vehicles clad in their latest and greatest products.
These one-off productions are designed to give owners a chance to see what they can really do to their cars, trucks and utes all with components approved by the manufacturer.
Mopar
Stellantis’ aftermarket group — still seems strange to write it — Mopar charges into SEMA with three vehicles this year: the Jeep CJ Surge concept, Ram 1500 TRX Gold Show concept and Ram 1500 Backcountry X concept.
The Jeep CJ Surge takes the idea of being able creep along the toughest trails in utter silence and brings it to a new level. With a scalable 400-volt, 200-kW Electric Drive Module and power sent to all four wheels by 24 lithium-ion battery modules. Torque runs through a two-speed Jeep transfer case with selectable gearing. All of this rides on 35-inch tires with a 2-inch lift kit and a Copper Canyon body color accented by gloss black and Surf Blue Surge graphics.
The Ram 1500 TRX Gold Show is designed to a high-performance toy hauler for motorcross fanatics. Not only do you get the 702-horsepower TRX to take you to your destination clad in satin bitter yellow and satin black you ride on custom-designed, Vintage Bronze 18-by-9.5-inch Black Rhino Chamber wheels ride on 37-inch BFGoodrich tires. The bed is designed to provide easy hauling and access to four wheelers or motorcycles, including a Mopar bed step that lowers to get out your rides and then pushes out of the way for transport.
The final concept aimed to satisfy the need for work and play, officials note. The Ram 1500 Backcountry X concept takes the RamBox cargo management system to another level. It features custom-designed RamPack and RamRack features that increases secure storage space by 68% without compromising the functionality of the pickup bed. It rides on a Mopar 2-inch lift kit with Fox shocks, matte-black 20-by-9-inch Fuel Heater wheels and 37-inch BFGoodrich tires. The two-tone Matte Iced Silver Titanium and matte-black exterior stands out with contrasting anodized orange bodyside stripes and accents on the hood, tow hooks (front and rear) and grille badge.
Nissan
One might not think of Nissan when SEMA comes to mind, but the Japanese brand often brings interesting and creative concepts to the show and this year is no different, starting with the Nissan Sunny Leaf Project. Partnering with Tommy Pike Customs of Greenville, S.C., the first of two concepts mashes up a classic 1987 Sunny pickup with a Nissan Leaf powertrain resulting in an all-electric small pickup with a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery back. It puts out 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque — twice the output of the original pickup.
The company’s other concept is the Nissan Ariya Surfwagon concept, which takes the company’s newest all-electric offering and converts into a ’60s-style beach wagon, right down to the wood paneling. Ok. It’s not a real Woodie, but the wrap and the aqua blue steel wheels and white walls are definitely eyecatching.