SEMA 2021: Top five utes

Looking for a ute with extra attitude? You’re not alone…

Heavyweight global car-makers such as Ford, Toyota and General Motors are continually developing new accessories, features and higher-performing tough trucks in line with customer expectations, and there’s no better place than at the world’s biggest car tuning show in Las Vegas – SEMA – to see how far the humble ute can be pushed.

From the Ford Ranger Skyjacker to the Chevrolet Silverado-based Beast, there are more modified tray-backs than you can shake a lift kit at this year, with auto brands keen to make up for lost ground after the 2020 SEMA show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Buyers are excited to see what’s new in the industry, and manufacturers are anxious to showcase what they’ve been working on for the past two years. The energy and passion on the show floor is tremendous,” declared SEMA’s Tom Gattuso.

We’ve put together a list of our five favourite builds from the legendary Las Vegas event, so grab an icy cold beverage, settle in and enjoy…

Toyota’s first serious tough truck based on the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra looks like it should be doing the racing, not the chasing.

Designed as a mobile support and repair vehicle for desert racing, the Toyota Tundra TRD concept features reinforced heavy-duty long-travel suspension with new upper and lower control arms, 18-inch forged alloy wheels with 37-inch all-terrain tyres (General Tire Grabber X3), and upgraded front bash plate and body armour.

There’s also front, side and rear LED spot lights, a custom rear sports bar and plenty of recovery gear in the tray.

While the engine hasn’t been cracked open and tweaked, the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 hybrid still bangs out a muscular 325kW (437hp) and 790Nm (583lb-ft).

The Australian-developed Ford Ranger is sold in more than 190 markets and US-based suspension outfit Skyjacker has created the Ranger Skyjacker for North American customers who want a rugged, go-anywhere ute.

Fitted with a six-inch lift kit, along with a unique steel front bar with LED lights and a Warn winch, the modified Ranger’s towering looks are enhanced by unique beadlock rims with chunky all-terrain tyres.

There’s also rock slider side steps, spotlights mounted on the roof and A-pillars, a unique sports bar with spare wheel mount and a unique tonneau cover.

The 2.3-litre turbo-petrol engine also gets a boost and a catback exhaust with black chrome tips to add a gruff engine note.

As the name suggests, the Chevrolet Beast is designed to devour off-road trails and bulldoze its way through tough terrain.

Although it’s technically a concept, it’s based on a short-bed Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck and is powered by a lusty LT4 6.2-litre supercharged V8 worth 485kW (650hp).

The military/sci-fi design has visual hints of the US Army’s Colorado ZH2, but is much bigger and adapts the Silverado’s suspension to include race-spec adjustable struts with remote reservoirs up front and a five-link layout with adjustable shocks at the rear, delivering extreme wheel articulation.

Big 20-inch beadlock wheels are shod with 37-inch all-terrain tyres, and front occupants gets Recaro seats with race-spec harnesses.

Fast? Yes, Sir.

The world’s fastest and most powerful factory-delivered pick-up truck – the RAM 1500 TRX – just got a little crazier in the form of the RexRunner.

Shown at SEMA 2021 fitted with truck-loads of Mopar accessories, including de rigueur 37-inch Goodyear all-terrain tyres shod to black 18-inch rims, the butch RAM 1500 TRX RexRunner continues to be powered by a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 pumping out 522kW (702hp) and 868Nm of stump-pulling torque.

The RexRunner features unique metal bash plates front and rear and exposed tow hooks, an improved approach angle and a ‘RamBar’ rear sports bar fitted with dual 14-inch TYRI rectangular LED lights, generating 4300 lumens.

What happens when you blend one of the most iconic F-100 pick-up trucks ever with a super-powerful, super-silent electric powertrain? The Ford Eluminator, that’s what.

The 1978 Ford F-100 ute has been fitted with two of Ford’s all-new electric crate motors.

Yes, crate motors are now available for EVs, and this one will set you back $US3900 ($A5245) for a single 210kW motor.

Sort of like a retro version of the Ford F-150 Lightning EV, combined power for the twin-motor low-rider is 358kW (480hp) and 860Nm, which should be enough gristle to flippantly perform lurid four-wheel burnouts at the drop of a hat.