Lexus lets its hair down with wildly customized SEMA show cars

By Stephen Edelstein November 5, 2014

Despite its somewhat dowdy image, Lexus is no stranger to the annual SEMA show. With the recent introduction of the sporty RC coupe, though, it really had something to show off to the automotive aftermarket this year.

Like the first-generation SC before it, two doors and rear-wheel drive should make the RC a hit with tuners, and Lexus hoped to coax their imaginations with three customized show cars.

Two of those cars come from Gordon Ting at Beyond Marketing. The red 3.5-liter V6 RC 350 F Sport features a mean-looking wide-body kit and massive wheels that look like they don’t really fit in the fender wells.

This is an example of the “stanced” look that’s popular among modified cars right now. Despite all of the sponsor decals and aero add-ons, the cockeyed wheels make one wonder how this Lexus maneuvers around a parking lot, let alone a racetrack.

Related: 2015 Lexus RC F and RC 350 first drive

A less-radical treatment was given to the 5.0-liter V8-powered RC F, which makes up for its lack of swollen fenders with an arresting blue paint job. It’s also got a nitrous-oxide system from Nitrous Express, and numerous other mods.

Another example of the BMW M4-fighting RC F was built by VIP Auto Salon. Its standout feature is a pastel green exterior color that looks like it was borrowed from a 1950s Buick, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Lexus also brought a tuned version of its new NX crossover. Based on the sportiest NX 200t F Sport model and built by 360 Elite Motorworks, it’s got a body kit, lowered suspension, and 21-inch wheels. All things the average grocery-getting crossover driver needs.

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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