They're Volvos Jim, but not as we know 'em...

Has Volvo gone mad? The company's own press release poses this question in relation to the outrageous T6 Roadster that starred at this week's SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturer Association) aftermarket performance and accessory show in Las Vegas.

Conceived by Swedish customiser, Leif Tuffvesson, the stunning hand-built hotrod is based on Volvo components and is propelled by a twin turbo 2.9-litre six-cylinder engine sourced from an S80 sedan. And although you won't ever see it in a Volvo sales brochure, the roadster retains an element of Swedish purity by using original-equipment components made by the Gothenburg manufacturer.

The Vol-rod is rear engined with its turbocharged six housed just aft of the two leather bucket seats -- also lifted from a Volvo S80. The engine is mated to a five-speed Geartronic auto transmission.

Clever engineering abounds throughout the car. For example, the rear decklid automatically lifts to aid with cooling once engine temperatures reach a certain level. The custom fabricated tubular steel frame was hand formed and uses rear subframes from the donor S80.

Leif fabricated stainless steel A-arms for the fully independent front and rear suspension systems. Volvo C70 spindles, custom carbon-fibre leaf springs and a shortened S80 steering rack are located up front. The rear is suspended by S80 front spindles and lower trailing arms with remote-reservoir Ohlins shock absorbers.

Stopping power is provided by six-piston calipers and 330-mm front discs while the rear discs are carried over from the Volvo S80. The front wheels measure 8.5 x 20-inch, while the rears are massive 10 x 22-inchers.

Inside, the T6 Roadster looks as if it rolled off the Volvo factory line in Torslanda, Sweden. Aside from the seats, the instruments, headrests, shifter handle and pedal assembly can all be found in the Volvo S80. A steering wheel from a Volvo S60 adds a sporty look, while the instrument panel has been hand fabricated to locate the gauges centrally in the passenger compartment.

Volvo's other prominent exhibit at the SEMA show bearing Volvo badges was the muscle-bound off-road-orientated XC70 AT.

Based (obviously) on the production XC70, the AT is powered by a pumped-up 2.5-litre turbo five-cylinder boatsing 300kW and a hulking 540Nm.

Worked over by aftermarket specialist ipd, the bronzed Volvo wagon is likely to be heard before it comes into view, thanks to low-restriction 75mm stainless steel exhaust pipes that emit a beefy note more akin to a V8.

The XC 70 AT uses the same six-speed automatic transmission as the XC90 V8 (due here eventually), working in tandem with a Haldex all-wheel-drive system. The show car's fully independent air suspension offers 100mm of adjustability via dash-mounted buttons.

Add in the ipd-designed 100mm lift kit and the XC70 AT can ride up to 200mm higher than the production Volvo XC70. To keep body roll in check, ipd 25mm front and 28mm rear anti-sway bars have been fitted.

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

For a peek at parent company Ford's latest high performance offering at SEMA check out the Wheels magazine breaking news section here