words & photos: George Achorn
Last week marked the 2017 SEMA Show, the industry trade show for the automotive aftermarket. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center annually, the week-long event is equal part industry networking event, enormous stage for some of the world’s most incredible car builds, and a place for manufacturers to show their latest and greatest products geared toward those who wish to modify their cars. Given its own burgeoning aftermarket, SEMA remains significant to the Audi brand and this year was no exception.
Our editors were on the ground for nearly a week at SEMA. Beyond the usual meetings, we did manage a run up and down the strip on Halloween in the back of Orchid Euro’s freshly imported (via Spain) B3 Audi 80 hearse, a visit to an off-site exhibition at the Mandarin Oriental by Vossen and ABT Sportsline, and days exploring the many halls at the Las Vegas Convention center searching out modified Audi models.
Audi of America also had a presence here again this year. Quite possibly its largest display ever at SEMA, the Audi Sport branded booth boasted the 600hp TT clubsport turbo concept, a Nogaro Blue pearl TT RS fitted with the latest Audi Sport performance parts (that are bound for the USA), and an R8 LMS GT3 for good measure.
This being an aftermarket industry show, the biggest players amongst the Audi aftermarket were also there in force. APR brought their new RS 3 LMS that was one of two, the other being at Bilstein. H&R had not one but two Audi exclusive RS 3 sedans built to their usual level of saliva-inducing impressiveness. Milltek and their US distributor Bak Performance had yet another RS 3, and allroad Outfitters returned with their widebody S3 and matching liveried widebody S6.
Check out our massive photo gallery below. We’ll have a full event writeup in the next issue of quattro quarterly Magazine. If you don’t subscribe already, it comes free with your Audi Club North America membership. Join the club HERE.
