Once again Toyota contracted the masterminds at Street Image to produce a couple of vehicles for the annual SEMA show. Eric Valdes was given a Toyota Venza and a Toyota Camry Hybrid this year and here are the results of the builds.
The Toyota Venza, a staple of school carpools, morphed into a dream ride for extreme athletes at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show. The Toyota/Billabong Ultimate Venza is laden with gear for outdoor lovers, including a heated shower system, a custom roof rack and a hidden cargo rack that extends from the rear bumper for skis and snowboards.
While the curious can only ogle the custom Venza via photographs at this point, Toyota says the concept will be the official Billabong Team vehicle for use by surf-, snow-, skate- and wakeboard athletes. It will be displayed at upcoming Billabong events in the U.S. following the aftermarket show.
Street Image built the concept, adding a custom body kit with “Billabong” emblazoned on the side. Large Enkei wheels with Nitto tires and a TRD big brake kit round out the package. The cabin gets seats upholstered with wetsuit materials, while the headliner features a collage showing Billabong athletes in action.
Toyota says a Verizon Wireless access point router was installed, which lets athletes get up-to-date surf or snow reports. Other details include headrest-mounted LCD monitors, an audio system with 18 speakers and an iPod interface.
The Toyota Surfrider Camry Hybrid CNG is not going to be limited to the elite crowd at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show. Toyota said on Tuesday that it will provide a production version of the Camry that runs on compressed natural gas to the Surfrider Foundation. The organization is expected to use it for outreach campaigns, education programs and beach clean-up events.
The Surfrider looks distinctive and PC, with a vehicle wrap that features CNG and Surfrider logos. The car’s gas fuel system was replaced with a CNG system in the spare tire well. A viewing window shows off the CNG fuel cylinders.
Toyota says the Surfrider has a range of 250-plus miles and returns 32 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway. The powertrain is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive.
The hybrid showcar gets a body kit with a custom front grille and unique rear bumper that covers the tailpipe and exhaust system. The ride height was lowered on an adjustable coil-over suspension. A set of 20-inch alloy wheels rounds out the package.
The nonprofit Surfrider Foundation was founded in Malibu, California.
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