Toyota flair on show at SEMA

Creative juices flow in Las Vegas with three modified models set to stretch the imagination
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A trio of radical concepts have taken to the Toyota stage at this year's SEMA custom car show in Las Vegas. The custom-built vehicles are designed to demonstrate Toyota's flair for creative design. All three cars are based on popular production models including the Prius, Yaris and Tundra.

First up, the Prius C&A Custom Concept demonstrates what Toyota says is the "unlimited potential for sports-car modification of the world's best-selling hybrid vehicle". The modified right-hand drive Prius was developed with the Conversions and Accessories (C&A) group at Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.

Featuring carbon-fibre body panels (excluding the doors), the lightweight Prius is also adorned with aerodynamic side skirts, fender flares, front bumper and enlarged air intakes. Other exterior features include an outside mirror, camera system, smoked rear combination lamp with a translucent rear side spoiler, styled exhaust tip and illuminated Toyota badging. Lowered suspension sees Prius ride 10cm lower up front and 15cm at the rear. It rides on forged 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the customised Prius gets black suede highlights throughout with embroidered Recaro sports seats and "G" metre on the dashboard. An aftermarket Denso navigation system features an eco function with electric motor and engine kilowatt output, steering angle, speed, accelerator open angle, and mileage.

Not content to just look the part, the second car at Toyota's stage brings a minimalist Club Racer attitude to the brand's light car, Yaris.

Dubbed Yaris GT-S Club Racer the car began life as a standard five-door hatch, but has since lost almost 180-kilograms to become a capable race car. Non-essential creature comforts such as air conditioning and the audio system have also been ditched in a bid to lose excess weight while many of the outside panels are formed of carbon-fibre.

Dressed in graphics that pay homage to Dan Gurney's All American Racers-built IMSA GTP Toyota Eagle Racers of the 1990s, Yaris GT-S Club Racer is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine modified to deliver 36 per cent more power than the factory tune. Bolt-on performance parts including cool-air intake, header, camshafts and cylinder head.

Internal additions include a race seat with six-point harness, alloy pedals and race steering wheel with a quick-release hub. The car rides on three-piece 13-inch racing wheels shod with slick tyres. Developed by SportsCar magazine, the modified Yaris won its very first race, topping the competition at Willow Springs Raceway in Southern California.

Finally, the Tundra Sportsman concept takes a creative look at the utility vehicle combining what designers say is the ultimate sportsman fantasy transport and base camp.

The dual-cab 4x4 Tundra is powered by a 5.7-litre V8 engine married to a six-speed automatic transmission. It includes modifications such as a three-inch suspension lift kit, custom-made air intake and snorkel, custom-made exhaust with pipes exiting the roof-top deck for improved water-crossing capability, and ATX 18-inch Teflon-coated wheels fitted with mud tyres.

Inside, Tundra takes on the appearance of a mobile command centre with an array of field electronics including a weather station and GPS. The bucket seats are upholstered in waterproof material and the standard 10-speaker JBL sound system is supplemented by JBL all-weather outdoor speakers.

Externally, the tray is divided in to three unique zones, with equipment concealed and protected by a fabricated shell.
The driver side features a workbench that swings out to a 90-degree angle from the truck, essential for cleaning your outdoor gear. The passenger side incorporates cabinets and a closet, while the tailgate section includes a mobile kitchen with a small stove, sink and work surface, storage for cooking utensils and a built-in 26.5-litre water tank.

On top of the camper shell and cab, an eight square metre platform accommodates a two-person tent as well as a camouflage blind.

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