Nissan today revealed a dynamic line-up of vehicles, ranging from modified production vehicles and futuristic concept models to NISMO race trucks, at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. The craziest of the bunch was the "Rockn" Navara.

The "Rockn" Nissan NISMO Navara by RCH Designs is wrapped in Monster Energy Drink vinyl graphics by Imagic. Exterior modifications include a custom-made grille guard with winch mount and skid plate by Spencer Low Racing, custom-built front and rear fenders by Hannaman, custom exhaust system by Spencer Low Racing, Sway-A-Way remote bypass shocks added to a custom-built suspension by Spencer Low Racing, PIAA HID off-road lights, Sol-Tek HID racing light mounted on a Baja Designs light bar, Snorkel by ARB, two 9000i winches from Warn, 17-inch custom racing bead lock wheels from KMC and monster 36-inch BFGoodrich Baja TA race tyres.

Interior modifications include a Powertank portable air system, Hi-Lift jack, custom interior cage from SLR, 45 gallon racing fuel tank, four Mastercraft Rubicon racing seats with harnesses, Ignited light switches, Optima Yellow Top deep cycle battery, NISMO cold air intake and a Sony Xplod Premium Series stereo system which includes 12-speaker surround sound system, three amplifiers, and a flip up in dash LCD monitor with DVD/CD/MP3/tuner for "rockn" sounds.

Volvo Cars of North America, (VCNA) has revealed two exciting new concept cars at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada, continuing a trend established in recent years. Painted a glittering Saffron colour reminiscent of a desert sunset, the 'XC70 AT' (All Terrain) takes the production Volvo XC70 to the off-road extreme.

The XC70 AT is inspired by the legendary, tough off-road Baja race. It features the 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder turbo engine that is normally found in the high performance V70 R. But where the V70 R makes an impressive 300 bhp, the XC70 AT, with its Garrett GT2835R turbocharger and ipd/MTE Stage III software upgrade makes 408 bhp at 6,200 rpm. Keeping the hot-blooded engine cool is an Aquamist in-cylinder intercooling system and an extra large top-mounted intercooler. Low restriction 3-inch stainless steel exhaust pipes emit a husky sound.

Producing an amazing 398 lb-ft of torque at a low 4,000 rpm, the XC70 AT uses the same 6-speed automatic transmission that is standard in the XC90 V8 (available in USA) and the 2006 V70 R. Making sure all four wheels get the most of the broad torque curve is Volvo’s fully automatic all-wheel-drive system by Haldex with Instant Traction.

The XC70 AT takes Volvo's Four-C active chassis to the next level with a custom fully independent air ride suspension offering 4-inches of adjustability via dash-mounted buttons. Add in a 4-inch lift kit and the XC70 AT can ride up to 8 inches higher than the standard production Volvo XC70. To keep body roll in check, 25 mm front and 28 mm rear anti-roll bars have been fitted.

Additional accessories include a 1,000 watt generator, high-lift jack, spare jerry can and tyre and remote exterior battery terminal connections

By PA Reporter,

Tough new enforcement action to crack down on uninsured drivers has been unveiled by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling. Police forces across the country can now use automatic number plate recognition cameras to spot, seize and destroy cars being driven without insurance. The cameras are linked to a database which contains details of all vehicles registered in the UK which are believed to be uninsured. The Transport Secretary saw West Midlands police in action as they began the crackdown.
Alistair Darling said: "Today we are sending out a very clear message to those who drive without insurance - there is now no place to hide. The new powers to link up cameras and the insurance database will make it far easier for police to tell if passing cars are uninsured and take action against the driver. On top of these powers we are creating a new offence of keeping a vehicle without insurance. This will be enforced through a new database of insurance details which means that uninsured drivers don't even need to be on the road to be caught.

"It is estimated that every law-abiding motorist pays an extra £30 a year because of uninsured drivers. Drivers are rightly fed-up with those who flout the law and we are determined to rid the roads of this small hardcore of anti-social drivers."

Meredydd Hughes, ACPO lead on roads policing and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police said "The police service and the government are constantly striving to make our roads as safe as possible for all road users. Evidence indicates that up to 10% of vehicles on our roads are being used illegally and many of these will be people who drive with no insurance. We know that people who don't insure their vehicles, or indeed drive with no licence or test certificate are more likely to be involved in other criminal activity, and in collisions. Collisions in which people may be killed or seriously injured. The Operation that we are carrying out today will root out those motorists who do not comply with the law by insuring their vehicles. The law exists to protect all of us and we will not tolerate the minority of drivers who flout the law showing no respect or concern for their fellow drivers. If you drive without insurance, expect to be caught and brought to justice."

The new offence of keeping a vehicle without insurance, announced by the Government in September, will mean that uninsured drivers can be caught before they even take to the road. Earlier this year the government gave the police new powers, to seize and ultimately dispose of any vehicle being found driven uninsured. There are an estimated 2 million vehicles being driven uninsured on Britain's roads.

Once a vehicle, suspected of being driven without insurance, has been stopped a police officer can seize the vehicle and have it removed. The driver will be required to bring proof of insurance to a police station. If the driver still cannot produce insurance details then he/she will be prosecuted for driving without insurance. Drivers have fourteen days to reclaim their vehicle. After this time, the police are able to dispose of the vehicle.

The new second-generation Outlander SUV made its debut in Tokyo. It has a clean, modern design, increased body stiffness, improved crash safety and 7-passenger seating is available. Powered by a new 2.4-litre MIVEC engine mated to a Sport Mode CVT with paddle shifters, the Outlander receives an aluminum roof for reduced weight and monotube shocks for improved handling. Active Stability Control is combined with electronically-controlled 4WD for improved performance in all road conditions.

Ford Motor Company provided a look into the future of its SUV design with the debut of an all-new concept called the Equator. With bold styling and a bright color called First Light Orange, the Equator definitely leaves an impression.

The new concept was developed in Ford’s Lio Ho Design Technology Centre in Taipei, Taiwan. Similar in size to the compact Escape, the Equator is a sport-utility vehicle designed with an emphasis on sport. In the words of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa Chief Designer Paul Gibson, the concept "is certainly a lot more track than it is truck."

The grille incorporates the new design DNA that Ford has introduced on the Fusion midsize saloon. The chrome three-bar grille features integrated air intakes, and bodywork gives the Equator an aggressive stance. This is further enhanced with an aggressive, street-oriented wheel-and-tyre package features 255/50R-19 Michelin tyres and unique 10-spoke wheels.

The interior matches the sporty exterior, with four individual sport seats covered in black vinyl, with a soft blue lighting system.

Designed to be competent both on and off road, the Equator uses an Intelligent 4WD System that can sense tight turns and continuously varies the torque to the rear wheels at all speeds, offering the benefits of a “locked” four-wheel-drive system without any of the drawbacks.

The Equator was joined on stage by the Focus Vignale Concept, which was initially shown last year at the Paris Motor Show. Its been announced that this stylish hard-top convertible will go into production, however details are expected to be released closer to its release sometime next year