SEMA 2009 - Day 1: From all-out power to dark green power (photos and video)

American TV star/car tuner Chip Foose had the honor of kicking off the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Alongside Peter Klutt, he unveiled a 1970 Super Cuda with equally super ambitions.

As the featured masterpiece of the latest season of Dream Car Garage, this one-of-a-kind Cuda will reportedly run a few track tests in the upcoming days with the goal of out-accelerating the legendary Ferrari Enzo in a straight line.

The presentation by Chip Foose and a heavily-tuned Chrysler’s just minutes later were only the start of a busy first day at SEMA.


Among the crowd of custom vehicles lining up right in front of the main building were about 15 Baja cars parked around a small test pad. These competitors have all taken part in one or several rounds of the extreme Baja-type rallies over the past year.

The Fiesta under the spotlight
The all-new Ford Fiesta is about to make its official debut on North American roads, yet few have had the opportunity to take it for a spin. The SEMA Show offers visitors some time behind the wheel. And just to make things more interesting if not mouth-watering, the gold medal-winning Ford Fiesta Rally Car (400+ hp) from the latest X Games stands by.

Pirelli also chose Day 1 to introduce what it claims to be the industry’s first green tire. Using an eco-friendly compound and designed to reduce wear and road noise, the new Scorpion Verde all-season tire is available in 17 different sizes and is already standard on more than eight 2010 models. No winter variant exists, however.

Continuing the tour…
Inside Central Hall (racing & performance), those on hand can admire some exceptional production models. Making its first public appearance is the new Lexus LFA, a limited-production supercar (less than 500 units) that will take a shot at Ferraris and other world-class exotics.

The 2009 edition of the SEMA Show also houses numerous speed record holders, including the Speed Demon rocket car which is trying to break the 500 mi/h mark. Right now, it can reach 437 mi/h.

Day 2 will be just as entertaining. We’ll have the chance to see the Quebec-designed Plethore make its public debut after a cancelled launch in Frankfurt. The new Saleen S81 will also be introduced on Wednesday.

The 2009 SEMA Show runs from November 3 to 6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 100,000 visitors from the auto industry are expected to attend the event, although it should be noted that the current economic downturn has forced organizers to reduce the exhibitor area by 20 percent.