01-09-2006
Las Vegas is known for being the city full of surprises and risk, but even Sin City will be shocked to see what new tricks Volvo Cars will be unveiling at the 2006 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. From October 31- November 3 2006, Volvo will showcase three highly modified C30's built by Evolve, ipd and Heico Sportiv. Each concept car will be given a sleek makeover focusing on a variety of custom fabrications such as race inspired engine enhancements, powerhouse audio-visual systems and eye-popping modifications to push the envelope of Volvo's C30.

Volvo's history dates back four years with the annual automotive aftermarket tradeshow and it remains the only factory backed European premium manufacturer to display cars on a regular basis.
Additional information about each of the companies partnering with Volvo, along with a brief description of these one-off concept cars follows:

EVOLVE

EVOLVE and Volvo has partnered to create several show cars over the years. EVOLVE uses these unique show creations to establish new styling and performance trends and give automotive enthusiasts a different view of Volvo. Many of the products developed for the show vehicles are soon brought to market to satisfy the desires of Volvo owners worldwide. This year, EVOLVE is focusing its talents on the all-new Volvo C30. While details will be held for the unveiling at SEMA, it can be disclosed that it will have a strong emphasis on cutting edge design and motorsports technology. Stunning aesthetics will combine with staggering performance capabilities for the ultimate Volvo attention getter. What would happen if a Formula One car and Volvo C30 were put in a blender? Learn more at this year's SEMA show.

HEICO SPORTIV

HEICO’s concept for this year’s SEMA Show is a versatile, sporty interpretation of the C30. Built for the outdoor enthusiast, with European styling, handling, and power, but retaining solid functionality in the snow and rain. HEICO is pleased to be partnering with the leader in outdoor sport on this project, Burlington Vermont-based Burton Snowboards.

Active enthusiasts expect flexibility as well as performance, and the HEICO C30 features all-wheel drive, making it the perfect performer on the street and on the mountain. At home on the switchbacks or on the slopes, the HEICO C30 concept is part Paris-Dakar raider, part efficient weekend gear hauler, and part stylish, sporty performer.

ipd
ipd's recipe for this year's SEMA show takes an already potent 220 horsepower (European-spec engine) turbocharged powertrain and massages it to nearly 400 horsepower with software upgrades and a belt-driven supercharger. Next, throw in a leading-edge mobile electronics package conceived by Alpine and Apple with native i-Tunes technology. Blend with the curvaceous body on fully adjustable coil over suspension, sexy alloys and hot, sticky rubber. Sprinkle in a big brake package that makes stopping as fun as accelerating. Wrap it all in a wild Swedish flag themed paint and interior and you’ve got ipd’s C30 SEMA Concept.

Text and photos courtesy of Volvo