Toyota RAV4 "Performance Sport" lacks performance and sport

Toyota RAV4 Performance Sport

Santa Ana-based MV Designz took Toyota's overtly practical RAV4 and kicked the majority of the 'ute's functionality out the hatch. With a custom wide body kit, front and rear fascias, LED headlamps, hood and panoramic glass roof, the RAV4 Performance Sport comes off as a prop reject from the stillborn Judge Dredd sequel, and the 22x9.5 (front) and 22x10 (rear) USW wheels and lowered suspension won't do it any dynamic favors. No word on engine mods outside of a new exhaust, but with the added aerodynamic drag and an interior stocked with Alpine goodies, we'd guess that the base V6 will have a hard time living up to Toyota's line about the RAV4 Performance Sport being "ready to set new speed records."

Gallery: Toyota RAV4 Performance Sport

Toyota RAV4 V6 Performance Sport Concept Premieres at SEMA

If the sole purposing of creating this concept was to hide the fact that it's a Toyota RAV4, then admittedly MV Designz did an excellent job. The RAV4 V6 Performance Sport Concept gets a custom-made wide bodykit accented by 22-inch Alloy Wheels, a hood scoop, a panoramic glass roof, billet door handles and, new front and rear faceless fascias. According to Toyota, interior modifications to the RAV4-based concept are limited to a new upholstery by Reyes. Maybe it's a matter of personal taste, but we get the feeling that if MV Designz hadn't "surgicaly" replaced the RAV4's face with a Pontiac-like mask, we might have actually liked the outcome.

Toyota's Yaris Tailback CNG Concept

No car seems to have escaped from the makeover-claws of the loony-tuning doctors at this year's SEMA show - not even the humble Toyota Yaris hatchback. The "Kermit-esque" Yaris Tailback concept has received a complete exterior overhaul featuring a wide bodykit as well as automated rear suicide doors and rear split tailgate. The custom body is accompanied by a set of DPE wheels that feature eleven inch wide rear wheels with a five and a half inch lip and are covered in Nitto rubber, Rotora big brake kit, and Tanabe lowering springs.

Pop up the hood and you'll discover that the greenish Yaris 5 Door Tailback concept features a compressed natural gas system (CNG) that offers the driver the ability to switch from the vehicle's combustion engine to CNG with the push of a button. The CNG tank and custom casing is housed in the rear of the vehicle and is unveiled as the rear tailgate is powered open.

The vehicle's interior boosts a Pioneer audio/visual system with two monitors that have the ability to display movies and videos which can be played through the integrated iPOD. Additionally, custom upholstery adorns the interior with gray suede and black leather front and rear seats with yellow stitching.

SEMA 2008: Toyota's truck trio is 3x cooler than modded Venzas

Toyota's SEMAfied trucks

Toyota's Venza trio didn't stir our souls, but a few of its customized trucks had us itching for some Italian iron and a remake of the first Back to the Future flick.
First up is the Toyota Tundra/Ducati Transporter that makes trips to the track a breeze with a motorized loading ramp, an integrated tool system, storage for spare parts and a set of solar panels mounted on the bed rails to provide auxiliary power. A 5.7-liter supercharged V8 sends power to 22-inch custom aluminum Alcoa wheels coated in Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. In addition to a handful of suspension and body mods, the truck gets a custom interior with thrones fitted with an In Seat Solutions Relaxor Massage system. Naturally, the Ducati Desmo MotoGP bike is sold separately.
Tucked in behind the Tundra was the Tacoma Truck Concept, coated in a cream pearl exterior and retro stripes that had us fondly reminiscing about our first off-road experience in the 80s. A four-cylinder engine is mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox and a four-wheel-drive system (4x4x4) pulled from Landcruiser, featuring a solid front axle, transfer case and Toyota Motorsport rear axle. A custom roll bar and front grill joins KC Daylighter six-inch lights, Bushwacker fender flares and American Racing AR-23 wheels. And the exterior isn't the only thing retro about this Tacoma. According to our man Mike Levine from Pickuptrucks.com, the seats are swathed in 20-year-old Recaro fabric that the Toyota crew found in the corner of their warehouse.
The last of our Toyota trucks was the TRD Tacoma Off Road Project, which features a supercharged 4.0-liter V6, a seven-inch widened track, custom front control arms matched to a new set of Bilsteins with 13-inches of wheel travel and an independent rear suspension with 14-inches of wheel travel. Think of it as the Raptor asinterpreted by Toyota, but without the trick rear suspension setup.
Check the galleries below for plenty of pics and take a peek below the fold for all the details.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Toyota Tundra/Ducati Transporter

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Toyota Tacoma Truck Concept

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Toyota Tacoma Off Road Project