November the 5th-8th saw the arrival of this year's SEMA car show in Las Vegas, which was devoted to specially modified cars. Every year this show sees manufacturers demonstrating some truly astonishing (and often berserk) examples of this - which makes it something like the equivalent of fashion shows featuring fascinating, deranged designs. The Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ were expected to be real crowd pleasers at this year's show, but Hyundai has also carved out a reputation for pulling something special out of the hat for SEMA.
We already knew that it would be exhibiting the Genesis Coupe R-Spec this year, and we expected it not to disappoint. This was one of the most souped-up vehicles you could see at SEMA 2013, thanks to the Lambda V6 3.8-litre engine, to which Hyundai had added BTX6462 turbochargers via Bisimoto/Turbonetics. It has to be said this was all about display, rather than practicality, but that is the point of SEMA - and of Vegas in general. Sin City is a place where people go to play, whether it is souped-up modified cars, the biggest live sports events in the world, or concerts by the music world's top ranking stars, there are almost too many choices in Vegas - and then there are the casinos.
The major Vegas casinos have continued to thrive, despite the rise of online casino, thanks to the combination of unbeatable luxury and opulence, and the fact that they offer so much besides
pokies, roulette, slots etc. Many of the music concerts and sports events mentioned above are held at these casinos, making them ideal even for those who have only a casual interest in gambling. Furthermore casino gaming in Vegas also has a fascinating, if chequered, history - taking in organised crime and the entertainment business - making it a unique part of the overall American story for visitors to explore.
Sources:
Autoguide SEMA show coverage
CNET previews 1,000hp Hyundai
Paul McShane - 20 Nov 2013