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2016 Chevy Camaro takes a walk on the wild side at SEMA

From highly modified restomods to tuned pickups, Chevrolet has over 20 custom vehicles at this year's SEMA Show. Given the popularity of the Camaro in the aftermarket, it's no surprise that the new, sixth-generation model gets in on that act with four modified examples. Thanks to a combination of concept parts and components on the way in early 2016, Chevy gives future owners an idea of what's possible for their new coupe. Among the group are two takes on the SS trim at opposite ends of the color spectrum. The Chevrolet Performance version is Summit White with red accents, and it uses a lowered suspension to hunker the body over conceptual 20-inch wheels. Alternatively, the Camaro Black wears darkened trim, tinted glass, and matching 20-inch wheels. Chevy beefs up their performance to fit the added style by equipping both customs with exhaust, air intake, and brake upgrades. By far the weirdest among Chevy's group of modded Camaros is the Krypton concept in a custom shade of eye-popping green. This wild paint is electroluminescent, and when the system is activated, illuminated bowties appear across the body. Headlights with matching trim and painted exhaust tips finish off this alien aesthetic. Finally, the Camaro Hyper concept is for those looking for just a little added style for their coupe. Based on the LT trim with the 3.6-liter V6, it features Hyper Blue Metallic paint with white stripes and rides on 20-inch wheels. For a little added performance, coupe uses Chevy's aftermarket exhaust and a lowered suspension. Related Video: Gen Six Camaro Concepts Shine at SEMA Show Customized quartet demonstrate personalization and performance possibilities LAS VEGAS – With the all-new 2016 Camaro rolling soon into dealerships across the country, Chevrolet introduced four customized concepts at the SEMA Show today – each demonstrating the personalization possibilities enabled by a new lineup of accessories and performance parts.

GM CEO Mary Barra predicts mass electrification will take decades

General Motors is allocating a substantial amount of money to the development of electric technology, but Mary Barra, the firm's CEO, conceded that battery-powered cars won't fully replace their gasoline-burning counterparts for several decades. She stressed the shift is ongoing, but she hinted it will be slower than many assume. "We believe the transition will happen over time," affirmed Barra on "Leadership Live with David Rubenstein," a talk show aired by Bloomberg Television. She added that not every car will be electric in 2040. "It will happen in a little bit longer period, but it will happen," she told the host. She was presumably talking about the United States market; the situation is markedly different in Europe and in China, where strict government regulations (and even stricter ones on the horizon) are accelerating the shift towards electric cars. On the surface, it doesn't look like General Motors has much invested in electrification; the only battery-powered model it sells in America in 2020 is the Chevrolet Bolt (pictured), which undeniably remains a niche vehicle. Sales totaled 16,418 units in 2019, meaning the Corvette beat it by about 1,500 sales. In comparison, Cadillac sold 35,424 examples of the aging last-generation Escalade during the same time period. And yet, the company isn't giving up. It has numerous electric models in the pipeline including a slightly larger version of the aforementioned Bolt, the much-hyped GMC Hummer pickup, and an electric crossover assigned to the Cadillac brand. These models (and others) will use the Ultium battery technology that General Motors is currently developing. Its engineers are also working on a modular platform capable of underpinning a wide variety of cars. Bringing these innovations to the market is a Herculean task. EVs may not take over for decades, but Barra and her team must believe their 2% market share will increase significantly in the coming years if they're approving these programs. Autonomous technology is even costlier, more complicated, and more time-consuming to develop. Barra nonetheless expects to see the first General Motors-built driverless vehicles on the road by 2025. "I definitely think it will happen within the next five years. Our Cruise team is continuing to develop technology so it's safer than a human driver. I think you'll see it clearly within five years," she said on the same talk show. Her statement is vague but realistic.

C7 Corvette turbo with 1,000 horsepower promised from Hennessey

If you can't wait for the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Hennessey says they will have you covered. The Texas-based company has announced it will offer a spate of upgrades for the 2014 Corvette ranging from a range of bolt-on options all the way up to a 1,000-horsepower, twin-turbo system. Buyers can start with a cold air intake, cat-back exhaust or stainless steel long-tube headers, but Hennessey says it will also offer up three stages of forced induction mayhem should those bits and baubles not provide enough thrust.
Those choices start with a supercharger system good for up to 700 hp, though Hennessey will gladly ditch the blower in favor of two turbos. Doing so will spin the crank to the tune of 800 horsepower all the way up to a certifiably ludicrous 1,000 ponies. There's no word on how much these tricks will cost you - or when they will be available, as we're guessing they haven't gotten their hands on the car yet - but you can head over to the Hennessey site to drop them a line if you're curious.