SEMA show: New-gen Toyota Corollas go wild

TOYOTA has used the SEMA show in Las Vegas to show what the best and brightest of the tuning and aftermarket world can do to its new-generation Corolla hatch, while Chevrolet has developed an all-electric version of its Camaro sportscar developed specifically for drag racing.

To commemorate the new Corolla, Toyota launched a ‘Battle of the Shops’ to see who could build the best, most outrageous version of its small hatchback, with five versions in particular capturing the imagination of the car-maker.

The first was built by Julio Ixta from SoCal Kustomz, which features a bespoke exhaust with Borla muffler, black Motegi MR138 wheels, Nexen N’Fera SUR4 rubber, leather upholstery with custom logos, 3.0-inch aluminium intake and a Nitrous Express nitrous oxide injection system. It also featured a vinyl wrap paying homage to the Toyota Supra from the original Fast and the Furious movie.

Alex Molina of Muscle Tuner Auto built a tuned Corolla that pays tribute to the old AE86 Corolla derivative, and has been beefed up with a custom 3.0-inch intake, Nitrous Express injection system, straight-pipe exhaust with Magnaflow muffler and dual 3.5-inch tips, blue brake callipers, Rays black alloy wheels shod in Bridgestone RE-71R rubber, nitrous activation button, and bodywork including a custom aluminium front splitter, rear diffuser, side spoilers, front bumper canards and winglets.

Automotive media network Super Street developed a time-attack-inspired Corolla featuring an HPS Performance Products intake, A’PEXi quad exhaust system with titanium tips, RS-R coilover suspension, Fastbrakes front brakes with Wilwood Superlite callipers and drilled and slotted rotors, Volk Racing TE37 Saga wheels with Falken FK510 rubber, and a bodykit including a carbon-fibre front lip, side skirts and rear spats.

Inside, it scores Corbeau Sportline RRS bucket seats, Razo pedals, and a Pioneer sound system with a 1600-watt amplifier, 10-inch subwoofer and 6.5-inch speakers.

Hoonigan built its own Corolla designed as a film pursuit vehicle for professional video productions, which features systems that can be dismounted and packed away, making the car legal for road use.

The Hoonigan Corolla features an HPS Performance intake with AEM filter, Ark Performance exhaust, RS-R performance springs and ST Suspension spacers, Fifteen52 Integrale rims with Yokohama Advan Neova tyres, an ARP Performance bumper lip and Hella spotlights.

Inside it scores NRG FRP 310 bucket seats and harnesses, Street Faction harness bar and seat brackets, while the removable camera system consists of a crane, gimbal, camera, lens and focusing system.

Finally the spanner-turners and Papadakis racing have tuned a Corolla for drift racing, adding a turbocharged, nitrous oxide-assisted system to its 2AR-FE 2.7-litre engine for a massive 634kW power output, while also including a custom aluminium intake, full race custom turbo header exhaust, StopTech front brake assemblies, Motegi Racing MR133 wheels with Nexen N’Fera SUR4G rubber, Sparce racing seats, a custom rollcage and unique livery.

Chevrolet has taken its 2019 COPO Camaro – a version modified specifically for drag racing – and fitted an all-electric powertrain capable of outputting more than 522kW/813Nm.

The powertrain system features GM’s first 800-volt battery pack, and mates a pair of BorgWarner electric motors to a conventional, racing-prepared “Turbo 400” automatic transmission. The battery pack consists of four 200-volt modules, each weighing roughly 80kg, and spread strategically through the car for optimal weight distribution.

Both electric motors are able to be paired to a traditional internal-combustion transmission and driveshaft, bolting in place of an LS petrol engine.

The eCOMO Camaro was shown alongside the 50th anniversary 2019 COPO Camaro racecar at SEMA.