For the 2011 SEMA Show, Kia has come up with six themed cars based on the company's sports connections.

West Coast Customs created the basketball-themed 'Slam Dunk' Blake Griffin Optima Hybrid. The car features a basketball-style paint finish and star player Blake Griffin's personal logo on the bonnet. The leather interior features front headrests embroidered with Griffin's autograph. In the boot there is a 'Pop-A-Shot' basketball hoop.

The other West Coast Customs car is the 'Hole-In-One' Michelle Wie Soul. Inspired by Kia's golf ambassador it features 'So Blue' paint as well as Michelle's own artwork. More artwork is found on the leather headrests. Inside, the dashboard is painted baby blue and the headlining is pink. Opening the hatch reveals a 26-inch TV screen attached to an X-Box 360 featuring a golfing game.

For hockey players there is the 'Hat Trick' Forte five-door. The rear bench is replaced by two bucket seats creating space for a hockey stick holder. Rear seat passengers can play X-Box hockey and there is an air-hockey table in the boot. The luggage area also features racks for skates and equipment as well as two hockey jerseys matching the car's ice metallic paint finish.

Kia has given one Rio a surfing theme complete with a wood grain surfboard on the roof. It wears a custom body kit and is finished in sunset metallic golden brown. Upholstery is brown and beige board short fabric while there is a shelf for holding sun block and a towel rack in the headliner. The boot is kitted out with retro arcade games, a vinyl turntable and juicing station.

Another Rio has been prepared for 'showroom stock' racing, known as B-Spec. The Kia Rio B-Spec race car is designed to offer an affordable route in to motor sport with a variety of club events open to owners. Kia's racing partner, Kinetic Motorsports, sells a complete package with everything needed to prepare the car for the track.

Keeping with the motor sport theme is the Optima Hybrid Pace Car for the United States Touring Car Championship. To help it stay ahead of the pack the Optima gets free-flowing intake and exhaust systems as well as suspension and aerodynamic modifications. The body carries custom vinyl graphics and an array of extra lights for directing race traffic. There is also a high-powered audio system and DVD system with screens in the back of the front seat headrests to entertain passengers in the rear.

The SEMA Show takes place in Las Vegas for the trade only and ends today (4 November).

John Lambert - 4 Nov 2011